LSU's Lane Kiffin admits he let Tiger Stadium weather delay drag on in order to hurt Clemson
LSU overwhelms Clemson 51‑10, Lane Kiffin’s first game a statement
Baton Rouge, La. — In a one‑day demolition that left a once‑powerful Clemson program reeling, the LSU Tigers routed the Tigers of South Carolina 51‑10 on Thursday night in the first game for new head coach Lane Kiffin. The win, which came after a nearly two‑hour weather delay, not only highlighted LSU’s balanced attack but also cemented the Tigers as a serious contender for the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers piled up 644 total yards, with 309 rushing yards on 58 carries. Quarterback Sam Leavitt, LSU’s rookie in Kiffin’s debut, connected on a series of plays that kept Clemson’s defense off‑balance. On the other side, LSU’s defense was a wall, allowing just 40 rushing yards on 26 attempts and a meager 3.0 yards per play. The defenders recorded 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, stifling Clemson’s offense before it even had a chance to get going.
Clemson, a program that once dominated the ACC, struggled to maintain possession. Their limited time on the field was reflected in the scoreline, as the Tigers were forced to chase the game early and never recovered.
Kiffin, who was offered the opportunity to shorten the 90‑minute warm‑up that followed a lightning warning, declined. “That locker room sucks over there,” he told reporters after the game. “And when you sit in there, the longer you sit in there – it’s a real thing.” He added that he “think[s] 90 minutes is gonna help us win the game” and that the extended wait was a deliberate move to give LSU an advantage.
The delay itself was a key moment of the night. Officials in Baton Rouge had the option to reduce the pause, but Kiffin chose to keep it in place, a decision that underscored his competitive mindset: “If you haven’t figured out my competitiveness in order to win, if I’m gonna go through all that other stuff for two players, nationally, I’m certainly gonna,” he said.
The blowout not only showcased LSU’s offensive prowess—thanks in part to a revamped, transfer‑heavy roster—but also demonstrated the defensive intensity the coaching staff has instilled. The victory has positioned LSU among the top teams heading into the remainder of the season, despite a challenging schedule that will include a Saturday matchup against Louisiana Tech and a home‑and‑away series with Ole Miss at Oxford later this month.
As the Tigers look ahead, the 51‑10 win serves as both a statement of intent and a reminder of the competitive edge that Kiffin is bringing to the program. The Clemson squad, meanwhile, will be forced to reassess its strategy after a game that exposed both its offensive and defensive frailties.