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The "Standout Stats": Nussmeier gets a run game, LSU defense arrives

On3 imageby: Shea Dixon09/01/25sheadixon
LSU TE Trey'Dez Green reels in the game-winning touchdown vs. Clemson (Photo: © Ken Ruinard - Imagn/Images, USA Today Network)
LSU TE Trey'Dez Green reels in the game-winning touchdown vs. Clemson (Photo: © Ken Ruinard - Imagn/Images, USA Today Network)

No. 9 LSU faced off against No. 5 Clemson on Saturday night in South Carolina as one of a trio of Top 10 matchups in Week 1 of the college football season.

By Sunday evening, all three of Week 1’s matchups between Top 10 teams saw the lower-ranked team win – with LSU being the lone program to pull off a road win.

No. 1 Texas fell at No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday morning before No. 6 Notre Dame lost to No. 10 Miami in South Florida on Sunday night.

Perhaps the biggest storyline to come out of the three games: the revamped and new-look LSU defense putting the clamps on a talented Clemson offense while (current) Heisman Trophy frontrunner Garrett Nussmeier looked sharp and was finally given a run game to work with.

From the performances on both sides of the line of scrimmage to the special teams unit,  here are the “Standout Stats” for LSU fans courtesy of this week’s LSU Game Notes.

LSU Offense

1. Garrett Nussmeier

  • Wearing the No. 18 jersey, Nussmeier went 28-of-38 for 230 yards and 1 TD.
  • WR Zavion Thomas attempted the first pass of his career, completing a 16-yarder to Aaron Anderson.
    • Thomas became the first LSU player since Jayden Daniels (2023 Citrus Bowl) to record a run, pass, and catch in the same game.

2. Caden Durham

  • Led LSU with 74 yards on 17 carries, scoring the team’s first TD of the season.
  • Other rushers: Thomas (26 yards), Ju’Juan Johnson (8), Nussmeier (2), Harlem Berry (1), Kaleb Jackson (-1).

3. Aaron Anderson

  • Top receiver with 6 catches for 99 yards.
  • 8 other receivers recorded catches: Johnson, Brown, Sharp, Durham, Trey’Dez Green, Thomas, Kyle Parker, Chris Hilton Jr.

4. Durham’s TD Run

  • 2-yard rush cut Clemson’s lead to one point in the 3rd quarter.
  • Drive: 69 yards in 8 plays, 3:48 TOP.

5. Trey’Dez Green TD

  • Caught an 8-yard TD from Nussmeier in the 4th quarter to give LSU a 17-10 lead.
  • Drive: 73 yards in 11 plays, 5:51 TOP.
  • It was Green’s 5th career TD and Nussmeier’s 41st career TD pass.

LSU Defense

1. Defensive Performance

  • Held Clemson to 261 total yards (31 rushing, 230 passing).

2. Tackles

  • Top tacklers: Harold Perkins Jr., West Weeks, and PJ Woodland (5 each).
  • 18 defenders recorded at least one tackle.

3. PJ Woodland Impact

  • Recorded his first career sack on a corner blitz in the first quarter, forcing a three-and-out.

4. Harold Perkins Jr. Return

  • First game since 2024 injury vs. UCLA.
  • Recorded his 14th career sack (loss of 10).

5. Mansoor Delane INT

  • Intercepted a pass in the 3rd quarter (7th of career).
  • Set up LSU’s offense at its own 46-yard line.

The Special Teams Units

1. Damian Ramos

  • Perfect 2-for-2 on PATs.
  • Kicked a career-long 52-yard FG in the 2nd quarter.
  • Missed a 46-yarder in the 3rd quarter.
  • Career totals: 46-of-59 FG since 2022.

2. Grant Chadwick

  • Punted 4 times for 167 yards (41.8 avg).

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