LSU Blasts Clemson 51-10 in Kiffin's Debut — SkimNews
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- No. 11 LSU routed unranked Clemson 51-10 in Lane Kiffin's head-coaching debut, building a 31-3 halftime lead before a weather-delayed sellout crowd of 102,321 at Tiger Stadium with 17 NFL teams scouting.
- Sam Leavitt (Arizona State transfer) and Dilin Jones (Wisconsin transfer) combined for 226 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with Leavitt also clearing 100 passing yards and scoring both ways.
- Lane Kiffin absorbed a week of national scrutiny over a court-granted fifth year of eligibility for former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris; both were left off LSU's active roster, while Notre Dame transfer defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka—part of the same court case—was added and recorded one tackle.
- LSU's defense allowed Clemson just one first down in the first half—its fewest in any half since Sept. 24, 2022, against New Mexico—and 6-foot-5 defensive end Jordan Ross returned an interception 30 yards for a pick-six off quarterback Christopher Vizzina.
- Clemson's offense was held to minus-4 rushing yards in the first half, 54 total yards, and no third-down conversions on eight tries, prompting coach Dabo Swinney to turn to true freshman Tait Reynolds as neither quarterback could sustain drives.
- LSU's rushing attack was unrecognizable from last season's 3.6 yards per carry and 104 yards per game, outgaining Clemson by 125 rushing yards between the tackles in the first half alone behind a rebuilt offensive line.
- Charlie Weis Jr. called the offensive game plan Kiffin credited, allowing Kiffin to spend time on the eligibility fight while Weis ran the offensive meetings and playcalling.
Why it matters: Kiffin's 48-transfer portal roster—ESPN's top-ranked class—played with veteran cohesion in its first game, validating his controversial roster-building approach and turning the eligibility lawsuit from a distraction into a side story. LSU's defensive suffocation of Clemson and revived ground game reverse last season's 3.6-yards-per-carry futility, while Clemson's offensive collapse (minus-4 rushing yards in the first half) deepens the heat on Dabo Swinney following last year's 7-6 finish.
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