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Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen won’t get the luxury of easing into his new role. In his first game calling the shots for the Tigers’ defense, Allen will face a test: slowing down LSU’s explosive attack led by Heisman Trophy candidate Garrett Nussmeier.
Allen, who spent one season at Penn State before joining Clemson this offseason, spoke to the media Tuesday about the challenge ahead. He knows his unit will need discipline, physicality, and flawless execution to keep pace against an LSU offense brimming with weapons.
“They got guys that really do a great job with the ball in their hands and yards after catch and the ability to stretch the field,” Allen said. “That’s just what they do. They’ve got an elite quarterback and lead receivers and are very impressive.”
Nussmeier is one of the nation’s premier passers and a projected first-round NFL draft pick. Nussmeier orchestrates an LSU offense that finished 25th nationally in total offense last year, leaning heavily on the vertical passing game.
Veteran receivers Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton Jr., and Zavion Thomas headline the Tigers’ attack. Anderson led LSU in receptions (61) and yards (884) a year ago. Hilton, a 6-foot-1 burner, averaged a staggering 27 yards per catch in limited action while Thomas’ speed makes him a threat both as a receiver and return specialist.
“And so they brought in some new guys. They already had a great core. They’ve added two extremely talented receivers,” Allen said.
Those reinforcements are Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson and Kentucky transfer Barion Brown. Anderson, sidelined in 2024 due to injury, was one of college football’s most efficient big-play threats in 2023, averaging 23.4 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns. Brown, meanwhile, is a versatile weapon who torched Clemson in the 2023 Gator Bowl with 226 all-purpose yards.
“It’s going to be a big test for us, without question, and our guys have got to be disciplined,” Allen added. “Got to play with tremendous technique, tremendous effort. And we got to execute. Teams like this, they’ll expose you real fast if you don’t.”
While LSU’s passing game is the headliner, its ground game lags behind. LSU ranked just 107th nationally in rushing offense last year, averaging 116 yards per game. Still, Allen isn’t expecting Nussmeier and company to abandon the run.
“I expect them to [emphasize] run,” Allen said. “When you think about football in general, you want to run the football effectively. It establishes so many things for your team. It obviously affects the throw game in a positive way. Affects your defense in a positive way. Affects the outcome of games in a positive way.”
That emphasis hits home for Clemson. Last season, the Tigers’ rush defense faltered in big moments, most notably in a 38-24 College Football Playoff loss to Texas, where they surrendered 292 rushing yards. Allen’s hire was in part a direct response to shoring up those weaknesses.
“We gotta stop the run,” Allen said. “We’ve got to do a tremendous job of stopping the run. You want to win these kinds of games, you want to be able to control the line of scrimmage, and that’s where it starts, and that’s where it stops.”
