One of the standout performances in the first week of college football came from the LSU Tigers in their overwhelming victory over Clemson. The final score of 51-10 reflects their dominance, yet perhaps does not fully convey the extent of their superiority in Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU’s head coach.
Under new quarterback Sam Leavitt, LSU’s revamped roster, heavily infused with transfer players, showed impressive skill by amassing 644 total yards on offense. This included a significant 309 rushing yards from 58 attempts. Such offensive prowess was complemented by their formidable defense, which limited Clemson to a mere 40 rushing yards on 26 attempts and allowed only an average of 3.0 yards per play; even garbage time yardage was minimal. The defensive unit was relentless, achieving 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, showcasing their intense style of play.
“Their defenders were swarming,” the examination of their defense would be accurate. That’s what it felt like on the field. The statistics support this observation, with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks during the game.
Sam Leavitt, wearing number 10, celebrated his touchdown during the first half against Clemson, marking the Tigers’ emphatic statement victory. This win positions LSU as a College Football Playoff contender despite facing a challenging schedule. As Kiffin humorously noted, they didn’t need their NFL-level players to achieve this outcome.
Kiffin’s approach centers on leveraging every advantage possible, a principle evident even in how he handled a weather delay before the game. The delay lasted nearly two hours, with a 90-minute warm-up required after detecting lightning within eight miles of the stadium. During this time, Kiffin chose not to shorten the delay, instead using the extended time to unsettle Clemson in the uncomfortable visiting locker room at Tiger Stadium.
“That locker room sucks,” Kiffin acknowledged. “The longer they sit there, the more it impacts their focus.”
Reflecting on this tactic, Kiffin explained, “If a 90-minute delay helps us win, we’ll take that time.” While this wasn’t the sole reason for LSU’s success, it highlights the competitive mindset Kiffin brings. His dedication to finding every little advantage is evident, and it keeps opponents on edge.
Clemson faced challenges before even stepping onto the field; sitting for long periods in a subpar locker room did them no favors. Kiffin’s team capitalized on these disadvantages. While such strategies might not be necessary against Louisiana Tech, creative approaches may prove useful in LSU’s emotional visit to Oxford on September 19. Pete Golding at Ole Miss, who learned under Kiffin, might find these tactics familiar.