LSU rallied past fourth-ranked Clemson on Saturday night for its first season-opening win since 2019, when they won the national championship.
— Garrett Nussmeier threw a go-ahead 8-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green in the fourth quarter, and No. 9 LSU rallied past fourth-ranked Clemson 17-10 on Saturday night for its first season-opening win since 2019, when Joe Burrow led the Tigers to an undefeated season and a national championship.
Nussmeier, who eclipsed 4,000 yards passing in his first year as a starter in 2024 after biding his time behind Jayden Daniels, got better as game went on, throwing for 134 of his 230 yards in the second half while leading two touchdown drives.
Caden Durham rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown for LSU, which held the ball for all but nine minutes of the second half.
LSU, retooled with a highly touted class of transfers, showed the mental and physical toughness that coach Brian Kelly was seeking after trailing 10-3 at the half.
LSU’s stifling defense, due in part to their improved personnel which allowed Kelly to play more man-to-man defense, limited first-team preseason Associated Press All-America quarterback Cade Klubnik to 19-of-38 passing for 230 yards and an interception.
