CLEMSON, S.C. -- LSU coach Brian Kelly didn't have to pound the table after this season's opener.
LSU ended its five-game losing streak in openers with a 17-10 victory at No. 4 Clemson on Saturday night, its first season-opening win since record-setting quarterback Joe Burrow and his high-flying offense went undefeated and captured a CFP national championship in 2019.
In a game that was expected to be a shootout between potential NFL first-round picks Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik, LSU's much-maligned defense stole the show by shutting out Clemson in the second half and limiting the Tigers to 31 rushing yards.