(BCSNN) — Garrett Nussmeier came up big for No. 9 LSU when it counted most, racking up 230 yards and tossing a fourth-quarter touchdown to rally Louisiana State and defeat No. 4 Clemson, 17–10, on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. The result was Clemson's first season-opening loss since 2014.

Nussmeier completed 28 of 38 passes and led two second-half scoring drives, including the go-ahead 8-yard touchdown to tight end Trey’Dez Green with 12:18 remaining. The junior quarterback, who eclipsed 4,000 yards last season, threw for 134 yards after halftime and credited LSU’s defense for setting the tone. “They kept us in it until we found our rhythm,” Nussmeier said.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik struggled to find consistency, finishing 19-of-38 for 230 yards and one interception. He was pressured throughout the night and sacked twice, with LSU’s defensive front led by Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks collapsing the pocket repeatedly. “We couldn’t get into a rhythm,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “We didn’t play anywhere near where we’re capable of playing on offense.”

LSU running back Caden Durham led all rushers with 74 yards and a third-quarter touchdown, while wide receiver Aaron Anderson paced the Tigers with six catches for 99 yards. Clemson’s leading receiver was tight end Jake Briningstool, who hauled in five passes for 62 yards. The ACC Tigers managed just 31 rushing yards on 20 carries, a stark contrast to LSU’s 137 yards on the ground.

Clemson took a 10–3 lead into halftime after Adam Randall’s 1-yard touchdown run and a 42-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser. LSU responded with a 53-yard connection from Nussmeier to Anderson to set up Durham’s score, tying the game early in the third quarter. Mansoor Delane intercepted Klubnik on the ensuing drive, but LSU missed a field goal, keeping the game knotted until the fourth.

The final Clemson drive reached the LSU 15-yard line with under a minute to play, but Klubnik was flushed from the pocket and forced to throw off balance on fourth-and-4. The pass fell incomplete, sealing the win for Brian Kelly’s squad. “We showed toughness and composure,” Kelly said. “That’s what we’ve been building toward.”

Clemson lost star wideout Antonio Williams to an injury early in the first quarter and he did not return. Swinney offered no timetable for his recovery. The Tigers will look to regroup next Saturday when they host Appalachian State.

LSU (1–0) returns to Baton Rouge for its home opener against Georgia State. With a top-10 win on the road and a defense that looked markedly improved, Kelly’s Tigers have positioned themselves as early contenders in the SEC and beyond.