When No. 9 LSU marched into Death Valley to face No. 4 Clemson, everyone expected fireworks. Instead, it turned into a slugfest. Clemson jumped ahead early, but Garrett Nussmeier and the Bayou Bengals clawed back with grit, guts, and one unforgettable throw to Trey’Dez Green. And when the game came down to one last play, Harold Perkins roared back from injury to slam the door shut.

This is the story of how LSU broke its five-game opening-night curse — with defense, determination, and a final blitz that shook Death Valley.