Statistically Speaking: Balanced O and dominant D lead win

By Hunt Palmer

LSU snapped its five-game skid in openers on Saturday.

The Tigers used a balanced offense and a stingy defense to seize control of the game in the second half. Ultimately, the defense made the plays it had to at the end of the game to finish the deal.

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from Saturday night’s win in South Carolina.

LSU OFFENSE

LSU attempted 40 passes and ran the ball 31 times.

On first down, LSU ran the ball 18 times and passed it 15 times.

LSU completed four passes of 15-plus yards.

LSU ran the ball for 10-plus yards five times.

LSU only created two plays of 20-plus yards, Caden Durham’s run on the game’s first play from scrimmage and Aaron Anderson’s catch-and-run of 39 yards.

LSU was 4-for-11 on 3rd downs.

LSU was 0-for-5 on 3rd and 9 or more.

LSU was 2-for-3 on 3rd and 1-to-4.

LSU’s average 3rd down distance was 8.5 yards.

Nine Tigers caught a pass.

Anderson caught 6-of-7 targets.

Garrett Nussmeier completed his last 11 throws.

Nussmeier completed 74 percent of his passes in the game.

LSU only went 3 and out once, its final drive (pre-kneel down).

LSU freshmen CJ Jimcoily and Charles Ross were flagged for holding on two punts.

THOUGHTS

LSU remained committed to the run on first down and overall. It wasn’t an explosive day for the ground game, but LSU continued to hammer away and grind time of possession.

Nussmeier has had more productive days through the air, but he was in complete command on Saturday night. His completion percentage was sky high. He spread the ball around to nine players. LSU will be more explosive than Saturday’s effort, which didn’t really produce much down the field, but Saturday was about ball control and efficiency.

LSU DEFENSE

Cade Klubnik only completed half of his throws, 19-for-38.

Star sophomores T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. only caught 8-of-18 targets.

Clemson did not have a rush of 10-plus yards. The Tigers’ long run of the night was seven yards.

Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr. were each credited with two quarterback hurries.

PJ Woodland tied for the team lead with five tackles. He also registered a sack and broke up a pass.

LSU was credited with six pass breakups. The Tiger defense only topped that number twice in 2024 (USC and Ole Miss).

Clemson was just 3-for-13 on 3rd down.

Clemson only ran the ball four times after halftime and attempted a pass on all seven first down plays.

LSU won second half time of possession 20:33 to 9:27.

THOUGHTS

It would be hard to ask for more from the LSU defense.

The Tigers pitched a shutout in the second half and completely silenced the Clemson rushing game. Clemson’s only dimension was the pass, and that was only good for a 50 percent completion percentage.

The Tiger defense owned third down and never really allowed Clemson to get into a rhythm other than that one 75-yard drive where Klubnik got loose with his feet.