LSU Defense Dominates Clemson In Season Opener

LSU's defense delivered a dominant performance in a 17-10 road victory over No. 4 Clemson, marking their best showing against a top opponent since 2019. The Tigers held Clemson to 261 total yards, including just 12 rushing yards in the second half, effectively neutralizing quarterback Cade Klubnik, who was pressured throughout and limited to one rushing yard. Key defensive standouts included Harold Perkins Jr., who recorded five tackles, a sack, and multiple quarterback hurries, and Mansoor Delane, whose interception shifted momentum in the third quarter. Head coach Brian Kelly emphasized the defense's growth as essential to complementing LSU's offense and highlighted the unit's ability to make critical stops late in the game. This defensive resurgence reflects significant progress under defensive coordinator Blake Baker and signals LSU's readiness to contend for a national championship in the competitive SEC landscape. The collective effort of LSU's defense, featuring fresh rotations and effective coverage, sent a strong message about the team's identity this season.