After a turbulent buildup to his LSU debut, Lane Kiffin could hardly have scripted a better opening night. His Tigers delivered a ruthless statement in Baton Rouge on Saturday, overwhelming Clemson in a 51-10 rout.
The first game of the Kiffin era, already one of college football’s most closely watched storylines, was pushed back nearly two hours because of lightning. It also unfolded without two NFL signees whose push to return to the college game has drawn intense attention — and plenty of backlash.
Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were not included on LSU’s roster before kickoff at Tiger Stadium, where heavy rain and repeated nearby lightning strikes forced most fans out of the seating areas, though the typically rowdy student section largely stayed put.
By keeping Wright and Harris off the roster, LSU sidestepped — at least for the moment — a potential clash with the SEC. The conference had approved a rule barring players who had signed with NFL teams, but a Louisiana court put that rule on hold Thursday night.
Kiffin acknowledged earlier Saturday on ESPN’s “College GameDay” that the decision to exclude Wright and Harris “wasn’t easy.”
He said he felt for the players and believed in standing up for what they felt was right, adding that he thought they deserved the same chance to play as other athletes around the country who have won court cases and been added to rosters.
Lane Kiffin had plenty to smile about as LSU dismantled Clemson on Saturday night
The Tigers imposed themselves on the ground, using a dominant rushing attack to overpower Clemson
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt looked impressive and scored two rushing touchdowns
‘But at the same time, I’m the head coach of LSU, and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster,’ Kiffin added.
‘So with that, we made the decision which is in the best interest of the team and the university.’
Flanked by influencers including former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, who later posed with Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, model-actress Brooks Nader and podcaster Theo Von, Kiffin was able to lead his players on the ‘Tiger Walk’ down ‘Victory Hill’ and into Tiger Stadium before the rain started.
A crowd dozens deep along barricades boisterously chanted ‘L-S-U!, L-S-U!’ Others who wanted to get a glimpse of the coach stood on ramps leading up to the LSU’s nearby basketball stadium, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Tiger Stadium was packed with about 102,000 fans when the game finally kicked off around 8:45 Central Time.
By the end of the first quarter, LSU fans were delighting in a 17-3 lead resulting from a largely one-sided opening period that had Kiffin punching the air triumphantly and appearing to yell, ‘Boom,’ after running back Dilin Jones’ short touchdown run.
Both Wright and Harris have said they are enrolled at LSU, which means they could be eligible to be added to the roster later.
Legal action is ongoing, with the SEC planning an appeal of the Louisiana ruling and also awaiting word on a federal lawsuit it filed Thursday asking the court to force LSU into following its rules banning pro athletes.
The roster decision marked the latest move in a bizarre, wide-ranging disagreement over something most people used to agree on: that players who had moved on to pro sports from college could not return to college.
Under the rules the SEC passed last week that were subsequently shut down by the Louisiana court, the league could suspend Kiffin, fine LSU half its football budget and more if it puts Wright and Harris on the roster.
Brooks Nader and Livvy Dunne accompanied Lane Kiffin as he arrived for his first LSU game
Former LSU gymnast is a regular feature at the school’s sporting events, even after leaving
Stand-up comedian Theo Von was also part of the group and posed for selfies with fans
The case stems from a new NCAA rule that granted five seasons of eligibility for players who started college in 2023. Wright, Harris and dozens of others across the country who started in 2022 have filed lawsuits saying they also deserve a fifth year of eligibility.
Embedded within that argument is whether players among that class who tried out for NFL, NBA or WNBA teams should be able to come back to college and play.
‘The SEC’s presidents and chancellors unanimously adopted a clear and reasonable standard: Member universities should not place former professional athletes on their rosters,’ the conference said in a statement after Thursday night´s loss in Louisiana court.
In its own statement Friday, LSU said it was reviewing the court’s order and would ‘continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward.’
LSU defensive lineman Jordan Ross scored a touchdown after intercepting a pass
It was a rough night for Dabo Swinney and his Clemson team in front of more than 100,000 fans
