No. 9 LSU faces off against No. 5 Clemson on Saturday night in South Carolina as one of a trio of Top 10 matchups in Week 1 of the college football season.
Finally, the time for talk and speculation has ended.
Up next: Two programs with hopes of making the College Football Playoff in December and competing for an appearance in January’s National Championship will square off in the first game of a home-and-home series that will see Clemson head to Tiger Stadium a year from today.
With storylines for days, LSU’s matchup with Clemson – a game the home team has been favored by more than a field goal since the week began – is one of the biggest games of the season for Brian Kelly and the Tigers.
The Bengal Tiger‘s LIVE Blog will have all the news to know with LSU vs. Clemson, including live updates, stats, highlights, and much more.
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LSU takes the field for warmups in new shirts…
08/30/2025 05:52:47 PM
One of the biggest themes of the offseason has been winning in Week 1 – something LSU has not done since the 2019 National Championship season. Brian Kelly and the staff plastered the message all across the team’s football facilities in Baton Rouge, and LSU arrived at Clemson for warmups in “1-0” shirts.
LSU players are wearing ‘1-0’ warmup shirts before their matchup with No. 4 Clemson
(via @chessabouche) https://t.co/0dT33oGuunpic.twitter.com/yhGYHALuCd
— On3 (@On3sports) August 30, 2025
LSU radio’s Gordy Rush reveals Haulcy’s replacement
08/30/2025 05:56:05 PM
In a wild 48 hours leading up to kickoff, LSU was informed starting safety and Houston transfer A.J. Haulcy could not play the first half as a result of being ejected from his final game in 2024. It was originally ruled unsportsmanlike conduct, which doesn’t carry over to missed time in the next game. After the game ended, Big 12 officials upgraded the foul to fighting, which does carry a first half suspension in the player’s game – and LSU was never made aware of the ruling until two days before kickoff. With Haulcy sidelined, LSU radio’s Gordy Rush reported Jardin Gilbert would start the game at safety opposite NC State transfer Tamarcus Cooley. Gilbert started at safety a year ago for LSU, so he’s got experience, but it’s a surprise decision given how little first-team and even second-team reps he saw in fall camp.
3-man battle at left guard reveals a starter for LSU
08/30/2025 06:34:29 PM
It was set to be one of three LSU offensive lineman to start at left guard: Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols, and DJ Chester, who started at center for the Tigers a year ago. During pre-game warmups, the first-team reps with the other four offensive line starters – whose jobs have been locked in – went to Mubenga. That said, Kelly mentioned this week he feels good about rotating multiple guards in across the game to get a feel for who handles a talented Clemson defensive line the best.
Oklahoma transfer WR is a full-go in warmups
08/30/2025 06:36:30 PM
One season ago, Oklahoma’s entire wide receiver room fell victim to injuries. That included Nic Anderson, who was a breakout star for the Sooners the year prior when he averaged a head-turning21 yards per catch on 38 receptions. It was a double-digit touchdown year for Anderson, and now he has the green light to take the field vs. Clemson in Week 1.
LSU’s highest-ranked commit makes the trip to see Week 1
08/30/2025 06:44:03 PM
Baton Rouge 5-star Lamar Brown, who is ranked by Rivals as the No. 2 overall high school recruit in the country, made the trip to South Carolina to see LSU’s season opener against Clemson. It’s well-documented LSU fans will travel to see a Week 1 game, whether it’s Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Green Bay. Lamar Brown, an LSU fan before becoming the program’s highest-ranked commit in the current 2026 recruiting class, is in that group.
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LSU commit Lamar Brown in attendance for today’s clash in Clemson. pic.twitter.com/eucPdWH7nM
— Bryce Koon (@bryce_koon) August 30, 2025
LSU pops a big run on Play No. 1, but third-down call stalls drive
08/30/2025 07:02:34 PM
One of the biggest questions of the offseason was whether LSU could find a running game behind a new-look offensive line. On the first snap of the season, the hole on the left side might not have been there, but sophomore Caden Durham proved to be talented enough to switch directions, maintain his balance, and break a 24-yard to put the ball near midfield. LSU got into Clemson territory, but the drive ended on third-and-long when the Tigers called a run up the middle, which was stuffed and forced a punt.
Baker dials up the third down blitz to stop Clemson’s first drive
08/30/2025 07:05:22 PM
LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker talked all offseason about being more aggressive on defense, and after forcing Clemson’s offense into a third down on the third snap for Cade Klubnik and Co., Baker sent sophomore cornerback PJ Woodland on a cornerback blitz. It resulted in a sack on Klubnik and a three-and-out punt for Clemson’s offense. LSU fair caught the ball with return man Zavion Thomas, giving Garrett Nussmeier and the offense the ball at LSU’s 37-yard line after both sides traded punts across the first 5 minutes of the game.
LSU turns the ball over after (nearly) setting up 3rd-and-short
08/30/2025 07:13:21 PM
Nussmeier’s pass on second down went to OU transfer tight end Bauer Sharpe, who was hit just short of the first down marker. The bad news: a hit forced the fumble just before Sharp’s knee hit the ground. Instead of 3rd-and-1 for LSU’s offense, Clemson was the beneficiary of the game’s first big swing in momentum given the scoop and return – with the tackle made by Sharpe – gave Klubnik and the offense the ball at LSU’s 24-yard line with the score tied at 0-0 with just under 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
Crisis (somewhat) averted for LSU thanks to the defense
08/30/2025 07:16:04 PM
Once gain, Blake Baker’s defense delivered with a three-and-out for the second time in two Clemson drives. Clemson took a 3-0 lead on a field goal, but given the fumble by LSU’s offense gave Klubnik the ball deep into LSU territory, allowing zero yards on three plays is as much as you can ask for. After two drives, it’s been nearly perfect for the defense. Drive No. 1 was three plays for -10 yards and a forced punt. Drive No. 2, which Clemson started deep in LSU territory, went for no yards on three plays.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Clemson 3, LSU 0
08/30/2025 07:38:06 PM
If you had the under total points in LSU’s season opener, you are probably feeling good. If you’re also an LSU fan, there are questions. LSU’s offense had more yards (77 to 36) than Clemson in the first quarter, and the defense looked great on all three drives against quarterback Cade Klubnik and Co. The results: two forced punt and a field goal given up on a drive when LSU’s defense allowed zero yards on three plays following a fumble by LSU tight end Bauer Sharp. LSU has the ball to start the second quarter with 1st-and-10 from the 27-yard line following Clemson’s punt.
LSU’s offense finds balance in the first quarter
08/30/2025 07:46:07 PM
There might not have been any points on the scoreboard, and some calls LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan will want back were out there, but the Tigers did find a balance in the pass and run game – which was one of the biggest question marks of the offseason after LSU couldn’t run the ball consistently a year ago. The first quarter stats on three drives for both teams: Clemson offense – 15 plays, 31 yards, 3 points … LSU offense – 13 plays, 81 yards, 0 points. LSU started Drive No. 4 with 52 yards on the first 5 plays, and while a sack forced LSU to settle for a long field goal, kicker Damian Ramos delivered by drilling the 53-yard kick down the middle with room to spare. Less than five minutes into the second quarter, the game was tied 3-3.