Lane Kiffin’s first game as LSU coach ended with an extraordinary 51-10 win over Clemson, and the Tigers’ new head coach made sure to add a little more sting afterward.
Asked by ESPN’s Laura Rutledge how Clemson compared to facing the mock squad LSU used during their practices, Kiffin delivered a pointed answer after the blowout.
“Our mock team scored more points against us than them,” Kiffin said.
The remark came after LSU overwhelmed Clemson on both sides of the ball. The Tigers finished with 644 total yards, including 309 rushing yards, while recording 38 first downs in Kiffin’s debut to Clemson’s eight.
Kiffin had already produced one memorable line before halftime. With LSU leading 31-3, he joked to ESPN’s Holly Rowe about the two former NFL players the Tigers chose not to roster amid the ongoing eligibility fight involving the NCAA, the SEC and LSU.
“It took everything for me not to say ‘imagine if we had pros’,” Kiffin said.
LSU has pursued former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris after both spent time with NFL organizations this summer, and they could still join the 105-man roster ahead of Week 2.
Not that the Tigers needed them on Saturday.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 230 yards and a touchdown while adding 113 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Running back Dilin Jones matched that yardage with 113 rushing yards of his own and two touchdowns, while Winston Watkins Jr. led LSU with seven receptions for 110 yards and a score.
Kiffin’s team will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 12, in a matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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