LSU’s season opener against Clemson turned into a runaway long before the final whistle, and ESPN’s broadcast had time to drift into the kind of side conversation that only a blowout can produce.
The Tigers rolled to a 51-10 win in Lane Kiffin’s first game as head coach, and Kiffin made sure his halftime interview with Holly Rowe had a little bite to it. Looking at LSU’s big lead, he joked that it might have been even larger “if we had pro players.” That line took off fast.
So did the reaction to Rowe’s outfit.
Rowe was on the sideline in a magenta top, and some viewers decided it was too close to LSU’s purple for comfort. One fan asked online why she seemed to be “wearing LSU colors.”
Another tied the moment to a previous wardrobe discussion, saying, “Same reason why she was wearing a WNBA tie doing sideline reporting. Don’t forget ESPN is strictly entertainment, no journalism or unbiased integrity” A third pointed to Rowe’s employer, writing, “She does work for ESPN”
The top was not LSU purple, but it was closer to the Tigers’ color palette than to Clemson’s orange, which was enough to get people talking. That kind of scrutiny has become familiar territory for sideline reporters, who are expected to stand out on camera without looking like they’re pulling for either side.
Kiffin was dealing with criticism of his own. He has been questioned about roster decisions tied to his expensive rebuild of the LSU program, and he pushed back after the game with a blunt message: “My job is not to please you and worry about what you’re going to write,” Kiffin said. “My job is what I believe is right, and I believe we were fighting for what was right for those kids.”
Rowe’s outfit wasn’t the first ESPN sideline look to draw attention, either. Laura Rutledge faced similar scrutiny over a ‘Monday Night Football’ outfit last December, another reminder that these debates have a way of following reporters around.
ESPN has not responded to the complaints about Rowe’s top.
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Clemson's Opener Turned Into A Nightmare For One Brutal Reason
The opener had already been pushed back by weather, and once LSU and Clemson finally got going, the night only got rougher from there. LSU rolled to a 51-10 win, piling up 644 yards while the Tigers struggled to find any rhythm on offense and were held under 100 yards until late in the game.
Sam Leavitt was a major part of the surge, producing both on the ground and through the air as LSU kept Clemson on its heels from the start. Jordan Ross added to the damage with an interception return for a score, turning a lopsided opener into the kind of result Clemson will be talking about for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin Turns Clemson Opener Into The Kind Of Spectacle LSU Wanted
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For Clemson fans, the game itself was the main attraction, but LSUs presence added another layer to the night. Kiffin has crossed paths with both Dunne and Von before through social media and media appearances, which only made the sight of the three together feel like a familiar bit of theater, the kind of spectacle that can turn even an opener into a talking point beyond the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Fans Just Got A Wild Viral Moment Before Kickoff
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Lane Kiffins debut as LSUs head coach then took center stage once the game got underway, and the Tigers from Baton Rouge finished the night with a win over Clemson. Still, for fans heading into and out of the stadium, the viral pregame scene added an unusual footnote to a matchup that already had plenty of attention before the first snap. [Read more 🡒]