The LSU-Clemson opener is going to have to wait.
Severe weather moved into Baton Rouge on Saturday night, and the matchup was delayed because of heavy rain and lightning. What was supposed to be a marquee start to college football’s opening weekend now appears headed for a much later kickoff than planned.
Lane Kiffin was set to make his Tigers debut at 7:49 PM ET, but the delay is now expected to stretch well beyond that. Several outlets reported it could last at least 90 minutes, with Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay Busbee saying the game may not begin until at least 9:40 PM ET.
Busbee wrote, “LSU staff reporting at least a 90-minute delay in kickoff, with a massive downpour now at Tiger Stadium and multiple lightning cells in the area,” and added, “The Lane Kiffin Era will start a little later than expected.” He also said, “It is POURING in Death Valley.”
Inside Tiger Stadium, the wait has reportedly been padded with a playlist that includes “Purple Rain,” “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” and “It’s Raining Men” as lightning struck just behind the venue.
The weather isn’t the only LSU storyline hanging over the night. A major pregame focus had been the status of former NFL signees Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, who were granted an extra year of eligibility by the Louisiana courts.
Even with that legal victory, neither player was added to LSU’s Week 1 roster. Pete Thamel reported that both are enrolled in school and could still fill the Tigers’ two open spots later on.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffin's LSU Debut Already Has Fans Debating The Program's Image
Lane Kiffins first night as LSUs head coach at Tiger Stadium came with plenty of attention before he ever settled into the sideline routine. Against Clemson, he arrived with a headline-friendly group of celebrity guests that included LSU alums Livvy Dunne and Brooks Nader, along with comedian Theo Vonn, while also taking a brief moment to meet five-star tight end recruit Ahmad Hudson. For a program that has never shied away from theater, the opening scene looked built for big-stage college football.
Still, the reaction around Kiffins debut quickly became part of the story. Social media lit up with mixed responses, and some fans took issue with the presentation, questioning the image LSU was putting forward and Kiffins comfort in the role of college football villain. For all the buzz around the entrance, the more interesting debate may be how much of this is showmanship LSU wants tied to its new coach, and how long that image will shape the conversation around the program. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fan's Viral Pregame Escort Stole Attention From A Massive Night
Before LSU even kicked off its season opener against Clemson, a separate scene near Tiger Stadium was already pulling eyes away from the football. Video circulating from the pregame crowd showed a woman dressed in LSU-themed clothing being escorted by law enforcement through the area, an image that quickly spread as fans tried to make sense of what had happened.
The footage leaves one key detail unresolved, since it is not clear whether she was arrested or simply removed from the scene. It was a strange prelude to a massive night for LSU, one that marked Lane Kiffins debut as head coach and ended with the Tigers beating Clemson on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffins LSU Debut Turned Tiger Stadium Into A Full-Blown Spectacle
Lane Kiffins first home game as LSUs head coach already felt bigger than a standard season opener, and the buildup around Clemson made Tiger Stadium look more like the center of the college football universe. LSU officials confirmed the game drew the largest media and celebrity presence in stadium history, a striking reminder of how quickly the new era in Baton Rouge has become appointment viewing.
Kiffins walk down Victory Hill only amplified the scene, with Livvy Dunne, Theo Von and Brooks Nader among the notable names in the crowd as cameras and credentialed media packed the venue. It was the kind of arrival that can overshadow the football for a night, and at LSU the question now is how long that spotlight stays this intense once the first kickoff is over. [Read more 🡒]