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Another top-10 bout on Saturday night was a defensive showing, but this time, it was the road team getting it done, as No. 9 LSU earned a 17-10 victory over No. 4 Clemson in South Carolina.
Offense did not come easily in this one, as there were four punts, a fumble, and two field goals on the first seven drives. Late in the second half, Clemson found a groove and went on a 13-play drive that ended in the game’s first touchdown. LSU answered back with a healthy drive of their own, but they lost a fumble on 4th and 2 from inside the red zone just before the half ended.
Clemson missed a field goal with their first drive out of the half, and LSU responded with a touchdown to tie things up at 10. Momentum seemed to be in LSU’s hands, as they picked off Cade Klubnik, and Garrett Nussmeier found Zavion Thomas for a score. However, Thomas did not maintain control through the catch, and it was ruled incomplete. Almost immediately, Damian Ramos pull-hooked 46-yard field goal attempt.
But LSU forced a three-and-out, and they took advantage with a touchdown drive that ended in Nussmeier finding Trey-Dez Green for the lead score with 12:18 left in the game.
Clemson’s offense continued to stall, as they turned the ball over on downs with roughly nine minutes to go, but had another chance with 4:26 to go. However, each of Klubnik’s first two passes fell incomplete, and a false start backed them up even more, forcing them to punt. The Clemson defense forced a three-and-out, giving Clemson one more shot with 1:46 to go at their own 43 and a timeout.
They quickly got inside the red zone, but on 4th and 4, LSU forced Klubnik to shorten his throw on a rollout, preserving their 17-10 victory.
Nussmeier impressed to begin his second year as a starter, completing 28 of his 38 passes for 230 yards. Klubnik went 19-for-38 for 230 yards, and their rushing was non-existent. Their leading rusher in Adam Randall rushed for only 16 yards on five carries, albeit one of them being a touchdown.
Clemson will look to get back on track next Saturday against Troy, and LSU will get a warm welcome next week in Baton Rouge when they play host to Louisiana Tech.
