Live National Championship Gameday Updates/Thread: No. 1 LSU vs No. 3 Clemson

Tigers look to punch their ticket in the history books

Pregame

Senior quarterback Joe Burrow jogs onto the field for warmups in his last LSU game.

Joe Brady back to his pregame rituals for the final time this season

Joe Burrow getting some reps in with his receivers pregame

K'Lavon Chaisson has 4.5 sacks and 16 total tackles over his last four games. He'll have to be big for the LSU defense to contain Trevor Lawrence and company

The roof nearly blew off the Superdome with the announcement of Joe Burrow as a starter. Gonna be a fun and loud night

Brooks Kubena of the Advocate reports safety Todd Harris is dressed out for the national championship. Don't think he plays but still nice to his recovery is coming along.

Guard Damien Lewis was taking reps with the first team o-line. As expected, he'll be ready to go for the championship in a few minutes.

Michael Divinity was also the second outside linebacker in warmups, behind only K'Lavon Chaisson.

Golden Band from Tigerland takes it home one more time in the 2019-20 season.

LSU captains: Joe Burrow, Racey McMath, Grant Delpit, Rashard Lawrence, Lloyd Cushenberry

LSU wins the toss and defers. Trevor Lawrence gets the ball first. Lets do this...

First Quarter

Avery Atkins opens with a touchback. It is so loud in here

29-yard completion from Lawrence to Ross has Clemson in LSU territory. Travis Etienne follows it up with a first down reception

Clemson down to the LSU 24-yard line.

3rd-and-8 coming up for Clemson. Loss of one on a carry. Lawrence is sacked back at the 36-yard line by Grant Delpit. Punt is downed at the LSU eight-yard line.

It's Joe Burrow's turn.

Joe Burrow Heisman play on the first snap. Ineligible receiver down field wipes out a phenomenal play by the senior.

LSU offense in a 2nd-and-13 after incomplete pass to Moss. Tigers go three-and-out after the ineligible receiver down field call. That first play was a killer momentum wise

LSU defense doing its job, forces a needed three and out despite great field position for Clemson. Clemson is able to pin Tigers inside their own five-yard line.

Field position has not been on LSU offense's side in the early going here.

That LSU three and out snapped a streak of six consecutive games scoring a touchdown on its opening drive. It's just LSU's second 3-and-out to open a game all season (Oct. 26 vs Auburn).

Two straight three-and-outs for the LSU offense to start the game. Punter Zach Von Rosenberg is not used to this much field time.

Despite that, Von Rosenberg kicks a beauty as Clemson will start withe the ball at its own 33-yard line.

https://twitter.com/CodyWorsham/status/1216898068127330304

Lawrence hits tight end Galloway for a 42-yard gain. Illegal hands to the face call puts Clemson at the one-yard line. 

Touchdown Clemson. Lawrence scores on a quarterback keeper. On the bright side, LSU will (more than likely) not start inside its own 10-yard line

Scoring Update: Clemson 7, LSU 0

It's the first time LSU has trailed in a game since Oct. 26. With more room to operate, let's see what the offense can cook up.

Burrow completes a pass to Terrace Marshall for the Tigers first first down of the evening. Burrow is then sacked. Not been great pass protection for him thus far by the Joe Moore winning offensive line

3rd-and-13 coming up. Incomplete pass to Chase with Burrow scrambling. All around bad offensive start for the offense.

Von Rosenberg punt only gets to the 25-yard line.

LSU defense forces Clemson off the field, biggest stop of the night for the defense. Offense needs to get something going quick.

Good second effort from Clyde Edwards-Helaire gets LSU a first down. Tigers moving the chains with the run game, something 

Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase for a 52-yard touchdown. Beautiful throw and catch gives offense some momentum 

Scoring Update: LSU 7, Clemson 7

LSU crowd back into it here after a few unsettling minutes. Loudest cheers of the night. Etienne dropped for a 5-yard loss

Galloway has killed #LSU defense in the middle of the field. Second wide open catch for the tight end moves Clemson into LSu territory.

JaCoby Stevens was down for a minute and was able to walk off on his own power. Big loss for the secondary on this drive

Mo Hampton comes in for injured JaCoby Stevens 

End 1| LSU 7, Clemson 7 

Second Quarter

1st-and-10 for Trevor Lawrence after the break at LSU 42-yard line.

Clemson can't convert on third down as Lawrence completes a short pass as he's being sacked. LSU forces a Clemson field goal attempt

52-yard field goal is good by B.T Potter

Scoring Update: Clemson 10, LSU 7

Still count that as a win. Defense has bent but not broken so far tonight. Will be important for offense to match that field goal with a touchdown for it to truly be a win. 

Joe Burrow slides? Yep he slid after a 20-yard scramble. Pressure continues on Burrow and LSU will have to punt after a nice start to the drive.

LSU pins Clemson inside its own 5-yard line. Down at the four.

Touchdown Clemson Tee Higgins takes a reverse 36 yards and Clemson leads LSU 17-7. Reverses have killed LSU defense all night and that one burns LSU for a touchdown. 

Etienne and Ross combine for two huge gains to get Clemson out of poor starting field position.

LSU offense needs an answer here

Scoring Update: Clemson 17, LSU 7

The 10-point deficit is the largest of the season for the TIgers. Certainly feels like the offense needs an answer right now

Two passes to Ja'Marr Chase, two completions and LSU is inside the Clemson 5-yard line.

4 catches, 133 yards and a touchdown for the sophomore Timeout Clemson. When this offense is rolling, it's fun to watch.

On 3rd-and-goal, Burrow keeps it himself and LSU scores Tigers quickly cut the deficit to 17-13

Tigers settling into a rhythm on offense, have scored touchdowns on two of last three possessions.

Scoring Update: Clemson 17, LSU 14

Etienne up to 66 yards on nine carries and has added another 19 through the air Giving the defense fits right now.

Clemson into LSU territory but faces a 3rd down and 9. Once again, LSU defense bends but doesn't break . Tigers off the field after Clemson gets the ball into LSU territory.

Offense gets the ball back and is rolling. It will be interesting to see how this offense adjusts to the a-gap blitzes Clemson has had success with so far. Burrow has been in constant pressure mode but he's starting to make the plays now.

One way is for Burrow to use his legs and he scrambles for a first down run. On back-to-back plays, Edwards-Helaire and Jefferson put the Clemson defense on their butts with some fancy juke moves.

Touchdown LSU. Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase, the deadliest duo in college football. Tigers take a 21-17 lead and have scored on three of their last four possessions.

5 catches, 147 yards and two touchdowns for Chase in the first half. Burrow is also 6-of his last 8 for 149 yards

Scoring Update: LSU 21, Clemson 17

Tee Higgins catch is being reviewed. It's close but I think he's in Incredible play by Fulton though. 

Catch is overruled.

Delpit is up and jogging off after a brief stint on the ground. Rashard Lawrence put a whollop of a hit on Trevor Lawrence on that last play.

3rd-an-12 pass from Lawrence is incomplete. Broken up by Kary Vincent. LSU offense has 3:49 to play with to take control of this game.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire picks up 25 after Clemson pins LSU inside its own 5. Burrow is then sacked and LSU faces a 3rd-and-19.

Timeout LSU 

Terrace Marshall draws a defensive PI. You could see that from a mile away. 

LSU into Clemson territory on a Joe Burrow keeper to the 47-yard line.

Grant Delpit heads to the locker room #LSU pic.twitter.com/5BGNsjenGp

— Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) January 14, 2020

Justin Jefferson has gone from juking guys to just running through them.

Joe Burrow just keeps torching Clemson with his feet. Touchdown to Thad Moss after a 29-yard run. LSU up 28-17 as the second half draws to a close. Some great play calling here

Tigers have scored 21 unanswered and the ball back to start the third quarter.

Scoring Update: LSU 28, Clemson 17

Clemson kneels to end the half.

Burrow up to 270 yards passing and 55 yards on the ground. He tied Colt Brennan's NCAA touchdown record of 58 in the first half.

Half: LSU 28, Clemson 17

Third Quarter

Holly Rowe reported Joe Burrow took a shot to the ribs towards the end of the first half and was gasping for air. The senior starts the third quarter but LSU goes three-and-out

Tom Rinaldi also reports Grant Delpit is dealing with a hamstring issue.

Clemson is moving the ball after a Lawrence strike to Higgins. LSU flagged for a face mask on the next play.

Clemson down to the LSU 15-yard line.

30 yards of penalties to start the second half for LSU. Clemson takes advantage with an Etienne touchdown run. 

Clemson going for two to make it a three point game and converts. Lawrence to Amari Rogers.

Scoring Update: LSU 28, Clemson 25

Burrow sacked for the second time in the half, responds by hitting Chase for 13.

Big third down coming up here. LSU goes three-and-out on two consecutive possessions to start the half. What's surprising is no rushing attempts yet in the half. Six straight passes.

Great chase down by Patrick Queen. That screen would've been a touchdown. LSU defense gets Lawrence off the field with a three-and-out.

Screen pass for Ja'Marr Chase is well timed as Clemson rushed seven on that play. LSU inside the Clemson 10-yard line after the big gainer.

Burrow touchdown to Thaddeus Moss, his second of the day. Burrow sets the NCAA touchdown record (59) on that touchdown. Play is under review.

Scoring Update: LSU 35, Clemson 25

Kristian Fulton called for pass interference on an intercepted ball. Ed Orgeron is furious and justifiably so.

That call lights a fire under the defense as it pushes Clemson back six yards over three plays.

Joe Burrow's pocket presence is unrivaled. A scramble and dunk to Jefferson puts LSU in Clemson territory.

Cade York out for a 45-yard field goal attempt He missed it wide right.

LSU defense has come to play today. Three-and-out for Clemson after the missed York field goal.

First down completion to Edwards-Helaire is negated by a late hit by Adrian Magee. It stays 1st-and-10 but LSU has shot itself in the foot multiple times tonight.

End 3| LSU 35, Clemson 25

Fourth Quarter

Joe Burrow to Terrace Marshall on a 24-yard strike. That back shoulder throw was as pretty as you'll see anywhere . LSU leads 42-25 and are 12 minutes away from a fourth national championship.

48-yard Clemson touchdown negated by an offensive pass interference call. Lawrence sacked by Patrick Queen. 3rd-and-26