Brian Kelly Praises Clemson’s Consistency, Klubnik’s Growth Ahead of Season Opener
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LSU head coach Brian Kelly didn’t hold back when sizing up Clemson ahead of Saturday night’s season opener in Death Valley. In his weekly press conference, Kelly framed the Tigers’ trip to Memorial Stadium as the kind of early-season test his program has been building toward.
“Clemson is a top-five team, the epitome of consistency under Coach Swinney,” Kelly said. “Cade Klubnik played his best football at the end of last year, and his dual-threat ability is central to their offense. They bring back a veteran offensive line, outstanding receivers in [Antonio] Williams and [Bryant] Wesco, and disruptive defenders like Peter Woods and [T.J.] Parker. It’s a complete football team and a great challenge, which is exactly what you want at this level.”
The matchup — No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. — pits two programs with recent College Football Playoff experience. Clemson went 10-4 last season, claiming the ACC Championship before falling to Texas in the CFP first round.
Klubnik, now a senior, set the tone for Clemson’s offense in 2024 with 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. He’ll once again have Williams (75 catches, 904 yards, 11 TDs) and Wesco (708 yards, 5 TDs) at his disposal. Converted wideout and Tiger veteran Adam Randall will take over as the first-team running back this year.
Defensively, Kelly singled out Woods and Parker for good reason: the duo combined for 14 sacks last year, while linebacker Wade Woodaz (82 tackles, 3 sacks) and safety Khalil Barnes (61 tackles, 4 interceptions) anchor a unit that held opponents to just 23 points per game.
Saturday’s game will mark Clemson’s eighth season opener against an AP Top 10 opponent in school history — and the third in the last five seasons. It’s also the third time Memorial Stadium has hosted a Week 1 AP Top 10 showdown, joining the 1977 clash against Maryland and the 2013 meeting with Georgia.
Clemson has been dominant in these types of non-conference games at home, going 31-2 in its last 33 non-conference home contests. And under the Death Valley lights, the Tigers have been nearly unbeatable: 25-4 at night under Swinney, including 22-1 in prime-time games at Memorial Stadium during the College Football Playoff era.
For LSU, Kelly emphasized maturity, depth, and experience as keys to handling the atmosphere in Death Valley. He noted that the Tigers intentionally bolstered their roster with transfers who have competed in hostile environments.
“Competitiveness, composure, and maturity will define our DNA,” Kelly said. “It’s not just about acquiring talent, but about having the right makeup to handle momentum swings, turnovers, and sudden change.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC, with two national powers colliding in one of the most anticipated Week 1 matchups of the 2025 season.
