Brian Kelly’s LSU Breaks Five-Game Opening Loss Streak with Crucial Road Win at Clemson
CLEMSON, S.C. — In a gritty defensive battle on the road against No. 4 Clemson, No. 9 LSU claimed a hard-fought 17-10 victory Saturday night, snapping a five-game opening loss streak that had plagued the program since 2019.
The Tigers’ victory marks their first season-opening win since the 2019 squad led by national championship-winning quarterback Joe Burrow delivered an undefeated campaign. This triumph under head coach Brian Kelly gives the team renewed confidence heading into the season.
Defensive Dominance Defines the Game
Despite pregame expectations of a high-scoring shootout between promising NFL draft prospects—Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier—the game was controlled largely by LSU’s defense. The Tigers shut out Clemson in the second half and held the host team to just 31 rushing yards, stifling the Tigers’ ground attack and forcing predictability on offense.
Brian Kelly highlighted the players’ resilience and mental toughness. “You’ve got to have some grit and you have to have character, and these kids listened to all the doubters and said, ‘It doesn’t matter,'” Kelly said.
Overcoming Past Frustrations
Kelly’s mood was notably different from a year ago, when his frustration boiled over after LSU’s loss to USC in their season opener, even pounding a table in exasperation. This season, the Tigers overcame early mistakes and demonstrated discipline and composure down the stretch to close out the victory.
“There’s a boomerang effect, but they had confidence coming into this game,” Kelly noted. “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. These wins are big.”
Memorable Sideline Moment
Adding a lighter moment to the night, an official accidentally tripped LSU coach Brian Kelly on the sideline during a fourth-quarter play, reminiscent of a similar incident involving NFL wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Kelly momentarily hit the ground but got up unassisted, and the Tigers maintained their focus to secure the win.
Looking Ahead
With the opening victory secured, LSU now returns home for three consecutive games against Louisiana Tech, No. 15 Florida, and FCS opponent Southeast Louisiana. The Tigers will aim to build on this confidence and defensive solidity as they pursue a successful season.