Live Updates: LSU Football at Clemson Tigers in Pivotal Week 1 Matchup

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will open the 2025 season on Saturday night in a Top-10 matchup against No. 4 Clemson at Memorial Stadium.

After months of anticipation and buildup, the Week 1 matchup has officially arrived with the LSU program looking to earn its first season opening victory since 2019.

LSU returns quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in 2025 after the redshirt-senior made the decision to remain in Baton Rouge for his final season of eligibility.

“It’s going to be a hostile environment, a storied program with a cool atmosphere. For me, it’s about embracing the opportunity to go into an arena like that and try to silence the crowd.

"We’ve played in big-time places, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida. It’s nothing new, but their place is definitely one of those.”

Here's what Brian Kelly said of the matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

LSU Tigers Football: Brian Kelly. — Courtesy of LSU Tigers Football.

What Brian Kelly Said: Week 1 Edition

“We’ve been working on this since January,” Kelly said. “After the Baylor win, our bowl game, we went to work on our roster, our process in developing this football team. So when we get to these moments, we have a team that is confident and plays the right way in a hostile environment.”

“Everybody talks about their defensive players in particular, but offensively, Cade Klubnik is a QB who played his best ball at the end of last year,” Kelly added. “A veteran offensive line coming back. Playmakers on the outside. This is going to be a great challenge.”

Pregame Updates:

- LSU Tigers safety A.J. Haulcy will be suspended for the first half of Saturday night's matchup against the Clemson Tigers. The expectation is that Jardin Gilbert starts in his place.

- LSU will roll with the expected offensive line rotation consisting of: LT Tyree Adams, LG Paul Mubenga, C Braelin Moore, RG Josh Thompson and RT Weston Davis.

- The Bayou Bengals will roll out multiple offensive linemen - including Coen Echols at left guard and others as position battles continue into Week 1.

- The Tigers will utilize a first-team rotation of Zavion Thomas, Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton at wide receiver along with other options of Nic Anderson and Barion Brown.

- LSU defender Jardin Gilbert will also be utilized as the backup STAR behind Harold Perkins after making the transition during Fall Camp.

LSU Tigers Football: Garrett Nussmeier. — Courtesy of LSU Tigers Football.

Live Updates:

[Make sure to refresh your browser for the latest information. Scroll down for the most recent updates each inning.]

First Quarter:

- Clemson has won the toss and deferred. LSU will get the ball to begin the Top-10 matchup at Memorial Stadium.

- LSU running back Caden Durham breaks open a 24-yard rushing attempt to put the Tigers near Clemson territory on the first play of the game. Nussmeier completes back-to-back passing attempts to put LSU inside the Clemson 45-yard line.

- LSU elects to run the ball on 3rd-and-11 with Caden Durham taking a delayed handoff for a small gain. Tigers punt it away to Clemson after a short, productive first drive.

- Defensive coordinator Blake Baker has his unit shot out a cannon to start this one after forcing a quick three-and-out for Clemson. PJ Woodland comes up with a critical sack on third down to end the drive. LSU takes over on their own 37-yard line. 10:30 remaining in the first quarter.

LSU Tigers Football. — LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) prays Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

- Garrett Nussmeier connects with Ju'Juan Johnson on a quick shuffle pass on the first play of the drive, but a Bauer Sharp fumble on second down quickly shifts the momentum. Clemson takes over on LSU's 20-yard line.

- LSU's defense has been the difference-maker for the Tigers early with coordinator Blake Baker sending the house. LSU forces a three-and-out, but Clemson knocks in a 42-yard field goal to strike first on the scoreboard.

Score Update: Clemson 3, LSU 0

- LSU's offensive play-calling is beginning to show creativity with a quick rush attempt to wide receiver Zavion Thomas - 14-yard gain for the Tigers to open the possession.

- LSU continues rolling with the misdirection in the rushing attack, but unable to gain traction on the ground. Tigers forced to punt after a 5-play, 24-yard drive. 5:25 remaining in the quarter.

- Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is 3-for-6 with 31 yards through the air for his program with the offense unable to get in a groove. Klubnik and Co. have 33 total yards with LSU's defense wreaking havoc.

- After an 8-play, 41-yard drive, Clemson elects to punt the ball away. LSU takes over on their own 16-yard line.

End of 1Q: Clemson 3, LSU 0

Second Quarter:

- LSU is utilizing running back Ju'Juan Johnson in multiple ways offensively after lining him up in the backfield on carries and as a receiving threat. He has two receptions for 12 yards to go along with a pair of carries for nine yards.

- LSU gets on the board after an 8-play, 49-yard scoring drive. Damian Ramos drills a 52-yard field goal attempt to tie things up at Memorial Stadium.

Score Update: LSU 3, Clemson 3

- Here comes Clemson's offense with Cade Klubnik at the helm. Klubnik completes back-to-back passes for the Tigers with the second going for 26 yards. Clemson is in LSU territory with 9:15 remaining in the half.

- Klubnik orchestrates an impressive 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive for Clemson after connecting on three explosive plays while utilizing his legs to keep LSU's defense on their toes. He's up to 91 passing yards. RB Adam Randall gets in the end-zone on 4th-and-1 to give Clemson the lead.

Score Update: Clemson 10, Ole Miss 3

- LSU left tackle Tyree Adams came up gimpy following a Garrett Nussmeier 10-yard rushing attempt on the second play of the drive. DJ Chester comes in with Adams heading to the tent.

2:00 Warning: LSU trails 10-3 with Nussmeier 9/13 through the air with 86 passing yards. Caden Durham is the leading rusher with 30 yards on the ground. For Clemson, Klubnik is up to 91 passing yards while the program is up to only 20 yards on the ground.

- LSU orchestrates a 12-play, 62-yard drive to get in the red-zone with the Tigers electing to go for it on 4th-and-2. Nussmeier tosses a screen pass to Chris Hilton who fumbles it short of the first-down marker.

HALFTIME: Clemson 10, LSU 3

Third Quarter:

- LSU safety A.J. Haulcy will come in to start the second half after serving a two-quarter suspensiuon in the first half. Clemson will receive the second half kick to begin the final two frames.

- Clemson begins the drive with a handoff to running back Adam Randall followed by three straight passing attempts from Cade Klubnik. The Tigers' signal-caller 2-for-3 for 38 yards and Clemson is in LSU territory.

- After a quick drive, Clemson attempts a 35+ yard field goal attempt that goes wide right. LSU takes over with a chance to level things at Memorial Stadium.

- Garrett Nussmeier and Co. are in the midst of a methodical drive that has the Tigers deep in Clemson's red-zone. LSU has gone eight plays for 67 yards with Nussmeier and Aaron Anderson connecting on two pivotal completions.

- LSU ties things up in Clemson wide Caden Durham punching in the two-yard touchdown run after an impressive response by the Tigers. 9-play, 69-yard scoring drive.

Score Update: LSU 10, Clemson 10

- Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik connects with Bryant Wesco for a 10-yard reception, but the LSU defense brings heat, puts pressure on Klubnik and the Tigers' signal-caller tosses an interception early in the drive. LSU CB Mansoor Delane reels in the interception. LSU is in business with efficient field position.

- LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier connects with Barion Brown for seemingly a 40+ yard touchdown, but the officials go to the replay booth and determine Brown did not maintain possession until he hit the ground. Tigers settle for a 46-yard field attempt that is no good from Damian Ramos.

- LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker continues dialing up an impressive game plan for the Bayou Bengals in this one. After momentum shifted Clemson's way, LSU's defense bounced back to force a punt. [LSU] Tigers take over near midfield.

End of 3Q: LSU 10, Clemson 10

Fourth Quarter:

- LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier orchestrates an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive after taking 5:51 off the game clock. Tigers march down inside the Clemson 10-yard line and Nussmeier connects with tight end Trey'Dez Green for a touchdown on a jump ball. LSU leads.

Score Update: LSU 17, Clemson 10

- Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik leads the Tigers into LSU territory behind an eight-play, 42-yard drive, but an unsuccessful fourth down conversion quickly puts the ball back in LSU's hands as the clock ticks at Memorial Stadium.

- After a seven-play, 26-yard drive, LSU elects to punt it away with Clemson beginning the drive on their own 20-yard line. 4:20 remaining.

FINAL: LSU 17, Clemson 10

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