“Imagine if We Had Pro Players” – Lane Kiffin’s Savage Response to LSU Dominating Clemson

Lane Kiffin's first game as LSU head coach yielded in a 41-point victory over Clemson.

“Imagine if We Had Pro Players” – Lane Kiffin’s Savage Response to LSU Dominating Clemson

Lane Kiffin (Image via Yahoo Sports)

The Lane Kiffin era at LSU began with an interception from Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt against Clemson. The Tigers from South Carolina, not the Tigers from Death Valley, broke the deadlock in the first quarter with a field goal. Minutes later, Wisconsin transfer running back Dilin Jones rushed for the game’s first touchdown. Jones’ score opened the floodgates for LSU.

The LSU defense picked off a stray pass from Clemson’s new starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina and returned it for a pick-six. Leavitt, who looked lost in the first quarter, finally showed off the skills that made him Kiffin’s first choice after he took over LSU. The former Sun Devil scored consecutive rushing touchdowns (8 and 13 yards) to increase his team’s lead.

LSU went into halftime with a 31-3 scoreline. The SEC school dominated in every category. Clemson had negative four yards in the first half while LSU rushed for a combined 213 yards. LSU had 21 first downs compared to Clemson’s lone first down, which came shortly after kickoff.

Lane Kiffin did not mince his words when asked about his team’s first-half performance. He criticized his team for turning the ball over but also delivered a scathing message to the rest of the league and the NCAA.

Imagine if we had pro players.

Lane Kiffin said before running off to speak with his team

Days before the Clemson game, a judge ruled in favor of tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris to transfer to LSU. Both Wright and Harris played for Kiffin at Ole Miss.

Well, a lawsuit was filed because Wright and Harris were part of NFL teams as of late August. Days before the final roster cuts, they applied for an extra year of eligibility to play at LSU. They were granted permission, making it the first time in history that players returned to college after signing contracts with NFL teams.

However, Kiffin excluded Wright and Harris from the Clemson game. According to Tigerbait.com, LSU and Ole Miss exchanged 34 players and staff members in the offseason.

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LSU continues its hot streak against Clemson with a thumping opening day victory

Clemson benched Vizzina for freshman Tait Reynolds in the second half, but it made little difference. Their offense struggled to score points.

"Imagine if We Had Pro Players" - Lane Kiffin's Savage Response to LSU Dominating Clemson
Sam Leavitt transferred to LSU after spending two seasons at Arizona State (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Leavitt, meanwhile, continued to dominate. He threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Winston Watkins and set up Jones for his second score in Yellow and Purple.

Kiffin decided to rest Leavitt in the final quarter. Former FCS quarterback Landen Clark took over under center. Clark threw his first touchdown pass at the FBS level when he connected with Phillip Wright III.

Clemson scored its only touchdown late in the game through David Eziomume. The game ended 51-10. It’s now the biggest scoreline in the history of this fixture and the worst defeat of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney‘s career. LSU is 5-1 against Clemson since 1959. It’s also the Tigers’ third straight victory against the ACC school.

Sam Leavitt’s LSU debut finished with 340+ all-purpose yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. Dilin Jones rushed 23 times for 113 yards and 2 scores. Winston Watkins caught 7 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, while Phillip Wright III went 3 for 70 and scored one.

Up next, LSU welcomes Louisiana Tech before Kiffin’s much-awaited return to Ole Miss. As for Clemson, they host Georgia Southern in week two, followed by a big ACC clash against Bill Belichick’s UNC Tar Heels.

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