Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU’s head coach screamed a new era. Despite LSU throwing an interception in their own territory and practically gift wrapping a field goal for Clemson, the Tigers absolutely transformed from last year’s squad, revealing a clear-as-day identity that left Clemson struggling to execute any play call besides “Punt” until the third string defense hit the field. This wasn’t just a win, it was an invigorating, refreshing, and soothing sight for anyone watching, a fresh red light of a new sunrise gracing the eyes of the Purple and Gold faithful.
Speed Kills, Literally, In Death Valley
What Kiffin and his offensive staff installed in just one off-season is nothing short of brilliant. His highly efficient and faster-than-fast paced offense was an absolute clinic, and Clemson’s defense simply could not keep up. By the second quarter, those Clemson defenders were completely worn out. They weren’t loafing around, no way, but they flat out did not have the gas in the tank to continue chasing Sam Leavitt all over the field. You’ve got to wonder how any team in the country could, especially playing man coverage all night as Clemson attempted to do against this roster. Brian Kelly’s last LSU team was infamous for disorganization, right? That was the most frustrating piece of the pie. But Kiffin’s squad is the polar opposite, efficient in every sense of the word. Witnessing the exponential increase in overall operational speed and precision delivered by the coaching staff felt like “money well spent” personified. This blazing speed was only possible because of the obvious heightened focus on being organized, something Lane Kiffin and his staff impressively installed in just one off-season. Playing fast is a pillar of this team’s identity, displayed like a fine piece of art in Death Valley this weekend.
Unleashing The ‘DaWG’ Mentality
But hold up, it wasn’t just the jaw-dropping speed that made this team look different. Another striking change from last year is the way these Tigers embrace pure physicality. It takes a unique mindset to seek out contact and completely annihilate someone on the goal line in football, at any level. There’s a different tier to that mindset, one you can only describe as “being a daWG,” emphasis on the WG. Dillion Jones, the starting running back, immediately showed that mentality, seeking to end plays. This new level of contact and aggression is a game-changer and a huge part of this new identity.
This is just Week 1 of the Lane Kiffin era, but the message from Baton Rouge is loud and clear for the entire league. This LSU team is fast, incredibly organized, and fiercely physical, a total overhaul from what we witnessed last year. Get ready to watch this team continue to define who they are, because this new identity is only going to get sharper.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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