LSU routs Clemson 51-10 in Kiffin era opener
Sam Leavitt produced 343 total yards and three touchdowns as LSU generated 644 yards of offense.
| Kickoff | 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC) |
| Spread | Clemson -3.5 |
| Total | 57.5 |
| TV | Not announced yet |
|---|
The TV network for LSU at Clemson is set by the conference's TV partners closer to game week. Each school's radio network carries the game.
We post the running score and every scoring play right here as the game unfolds, no refresh needed. For the full drive-by-drive play-by-play, box score and player stats, open the game page.
Follow the full play-by-play and box score →No. 11 LSU opened the Kiffin era with a 51-10 win over Clemson on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, rolling up 644 yards of total offense after weather delayed the start. Quarterback Sam Leavitt accounted for three touchdowns and finished with 230 passing yards and 113 rushing yards.
The night began unevenly for LSU. Leavitt’s second pass was dropped, deflected and intercepted, allowing Clemson to take a 3-0 lead on Nolan Hauser’s 49-yard field goal. Scott Starzyk answered from 48 yards, then Dilin Jones finished an 89-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run that put LSU ahead for good.
The defense quickly widened the margin. Junior defensive end Jordan Ross intercepted Christopher Vizzina on third down and returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown. LSU led 17-3 late in the first quarter.
Leavitt’s legs helped turn the game into a rout before halftime. He scored on a scramble and later added a 13-yard keeper. With LSU ahead 31-3, his rushing total reached 100 yards on 11 carries. Jones entered halftime with 91 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts.
LSU stayed on the gas after the break. Leavitt found Winston Watkins Jr. uncovered for a 32-yard touchdown, and Jones followed with a 12-yard scoring run. Leavitt and Jones each finished with 113 rushing yards, giving LSU two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since Logan Diggs and Jayden Daniels did it against Missouri in 2023.
Landen Clark replaced Leavitt late in the third quarter and connected with Phillip Wright for a 30-yard touchdown. Clemson’s only touchdown came with 3:21 remaining, when David Eziomume scored on an 11-yard run to set the final margin.
Why it matters
LSU began the Kiffin era with a season-opening win powered by offense and defense. Leavitt and Jones became the program’s first pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2023.
What to watch next
The next game listed by the source was LSU’s home matchup with Louisiana Tech, scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff the following Saturday.
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