The weather delayed Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut by nearly two hours. Clemson delayed nothing. No. 11 LSU outgained the Tigers 644 to 145, set a school record with 37 first downs, led 31 to 3 at halftime with 21 first downs to Clemson’s one, and won 51 to 10 in Death Valley on Saturday night, the most lopsided loss of Dabo Swinney’s 19 seasons. At halftime Kiffin, who spent the week being criticized for trying to sign former NFL players, told the TV audience: “Imagine if we had pro players.”
| Player | Line |
|---|---|
| Sam Leavitt, QB | 230 passing yards and a TD, 113 rushing yards and 2 TD (8 and 13 yard runs), in under three quarters, in his LSU debut |
| Dillin Jones, RB | 113 rushing yards, 2 TD; 60 yards on his first 10 carries |
| Jordan Ross, EDGE | 30 yard interception return for a touchdown to close the first quarter |
| Landen Clark, QB | 30 yard touchdown pass to Phillip Wright III in relief |
| Christopher Vizzina, Clemson QB | 83 passing yards and the pick six in his second career start |
How It Went
It started badly for LSU: Leavitt’s second pass was tipped and intercepted, and Clemson turned it into a 49 yard field goal. Then LSU scored on seven of its next eight possessions. Jones finished a 12 play, 89 yard drive from a yard out, Ross returned the pick six on the next Clemson possession, and Leavitt ran in two touchdowns himself before halftime. LSU rushed for 213 yards in the first half alone, more than it managed in any full game of 2025, when it ranked 126th nationally in rushing. The Tigers finished with 309 on the ground.
Blake Baker’s defense had four sacks, held Clemson under 100 yards deep into the second half, and did not allow a touchdown until David Eziomume’s 11 yard run with less than seven minutes left. Kiffin said afterward the unit has a chance to be really good.
The Wright and Harris Decision
A Louisiana court cleared the way this week for LSU to add Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, the two former Ole Miss players who spent the offseason in NFL camps. With the NCAA and SEC opposed, Kiffin chose not to put them on the roster, and both sat. His halftime line was the only comment he needed. The full saga is on our NFL to college tracker.
What It Means
For LSU: the roster Kiffin bought looks like the roster he wanted. Leavitt, the $4.5 million transfer, was the best player on the field; the offensive line, a weakness last year, moved Clemson at will; and the Tigers should climb from No. 11 when the AP poll comes out Sunday. Louisiana Tech visits next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The bio and contract are on Lane Kiffin and Lane Kiffin salary; the quarterback is on Sam Leavitt.
For Clemson: one first down in a half, 145 yards, and a fourth year quarterback with 83 passing yards. Swinney spent the week calling LSU’s approach embarrassing and then absorbed the worst loss of his career. The $57 million buyout has not changed, but the tone of the conversation has; see Dabo Swinney.
The Bottom Line
Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut was a 51 to 10 rout of Clemson built on 644 yards, a school record 37 first downs and Sam Leavitt’s three touchdowns, with a defense that gave up nothing until garbage time. It is one game against a team that looked broken, and it is also the most convincing opening night any new SEC coach has had in years. Live score and schedule: LSU football score.