Welcome to the Geaux Tigers Podcast
Week 1 is in the books.
It wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but there was a lot to like. There are 2 reasons LSU secured the victory against Clemson on the road. Let’s dive in.
#1 – Austin Thomas
Austin Thomas is the General Manager for LSU. But people in the know call him“The Architect“.
Why? Because he has completely transformed this program.
This offseason, Thomas brought in the No. 2 Transfer Portal class in the country, reloading the defense with guys like Mansoor Delane, Benard Gooden, Jack Pyburn, Patrick Payton, AJ Haulcy, and Tamarcus Cooley.
And it’s more than roster-building. From coaching hires to support staff, he’s reshaped the culture and structure of this team. His vision allows Brian Kelly to focus purely on coaching—and that’s why LSU feels different.
Make no mistake: with Thomas steering the program, LSU is positioned to thrive in the new college football landscape.
#2 – The Defense: Fast, Deep, and Nasty
Let’s start with the defense.
- Clemson rushing: 31 yards on 20 carries. That’s just 1.6 yards per rush.
- Cade Klubnik: A projected first-rounder who scored 43 TDs last year—yet he almost never had a clean pocket. Clemson scored once in the second quarter… and never again.
Blake Baker finally has the pieces to unleash his defense. He trusted his secondary, leaned into man coverage, and dialed up pressure—blitzing Klubnik on 67% of his dropbacks. The result? Klubnik finished with a 34.5 passer rating under pressure.
- Mansoor Delane looked like a true lockdown corner.
- D.J. Pickett had strong moments in coverage as well.
- Up front, Gooden was the standout, Mathis created pressure on the pick, and Payton set up Delane’s interception beautifully.
This is the deepest, fastest defense LSU has had under Brian Kelly.
Special mention:
- Gooden might be the second-best player on this defense—explosive, disruptive, a matchup nightmare.
- Pyburn & Payton were excellent against the run.
- And because of the D-line’s dominance, Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins roamed free all night.
Yes, there were a few missed tackles—Cooley being the worst offender—but overall, this defense looked championship-caliber.
Harold Perkins: Back and Unleashed
Now, let’s talk about Harold Perkins.
Less than a year removed from an ACL tear, he looks better than ever. LSU has simplified his role, letting his instincts take over—and the results are obvious.
Some people worry about him in coverage, but he’s already graded as one of LSU’s top pass defenders. And the scheme helps protect him from bad matchups.
The perfect example? 4th & 5, the last play of the game.
- Payton crashes inside.
- Klubnik thinks he has an escape lane as the end (purposely) loses contain.
- Perkins delays… then becomes the new contain, exploding with closing speed no QB can prepare for.
That’s elite design from Blake Baker, and elite execution from Perkins.
Final Word
Here’s the bottom line: this wasn’t an upset. LSU was flat-out the better team. On the road. Against a very talented team. And it’s only Week 1.
- Off the field: a confident, well-structured program.
- On offense: balance, creativity, and efficiency.
- On defense: speed, depth, and havoc.
This season could be special.
And remember: football is fun, but it isn’t everything. Don’t let it steal your joy.
Geaux Tigers.