Atlanta, Ga. — For an LSU team that asked so much of its defense all season, Monday night proved to be just too tall a task.
Staying on the field for 100 plays, the Tiger defense could not protect a 24-13 fourth quarter lead and Clemson kicker Chandler Catanzaro split the uprights on a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give Clemson a 25-24 win in the Georgia Dome.
“With an opponent who snapped the ball about 50 times more than our offense, they has to kick a last minute field goal to beat us,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “That defense played their butt off.”
Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd feasted on a worn down LSU secondary, amassing 346 passing yards and two touchdowns while absorbing vicious hits from every angle in the pocket.
Junior linebacker and team MVP Kevin Minter paced the Tiger defense with 19 tackles, one off his season best, and a sack.
“There’s a reason why Tajh Boyd is an All-American,” Minter said. “We hit him pretty hard, we came after him and brought the heat. I can’t say enough about the guy.”
Suffering only its third bowl loss in Miles’ eight year tenure, LSU came firing out of the gates as junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo forced a Sammy Watkins fumble on the second play of the game that was recovered by safety Craig Loston.
Two plays and 24 seconds later, LSU jumped ahead as freshman running back Jeremy Hill rumbled 17 yards to paydirt to put the Tigers up 7-0 after only 55 seconds of action.
On the ensuing drive, Clemson pieced together a methodical 11 play, 75 yard march down the field that was capped off when Boyd dove for the goal line to knot the score at seven.
Boyd mixed runs of his own with sharp passes to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who hauled in 13 catches for 191 yards and two scores.
“[Hopkins] may be as good a receiver as we’ve ever played against,” said LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. “He has great ability and he’s done a really good job of being productive.”
After both teams exchanged punts on the next four series, LSU broke ahead with an eight play drive, capitulated by a perfectly thrown fade route from junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger to sophomore wide out Jarvis Landry in the corner of the endzone.
Mettenberger, who finished with only 120 yards through the air and that one score, lamented the inability of the offense to find a consistent rhythm.
“It was tough just trying to call a play here, play there,” Mettneberger said. “It’s just tough. You can’t get your system going.”
LSU stayed in control until the midway mark of the second quarter, when Boyd and the Clemson offense orchestrated an eight play drive that ended with Hopkins making a sliding catch in the endzone to pull the Tigers within one.
After junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan swatted away Catanzaro’s extra point attempt, both defenses kept both offenses off the scoreboard and LSU took a slim 14-13 lead into the locker room.
And right out of the locker room, it was again the freshman Hill who provided the spark.
The Redemptorist product scampered 57 yards to the endzone on the first play from scrimmage in the second half to ignite a meager LSU crowd and pad the Tiger lead to 21-13.
Even after senior kicker Drew Alleman booted a 20-yard field goal six minutes later to push the lead to double digits, Hill said he never felt as if the Tigers had the game in the bag.
“I just thought we would be able to get more drives together,” Hill said. “They made it tough for us at times. We just couldn’t execute and I felt like we just kind of crumbled.”
Down eleven and heading into the fourth quarter, Boyd went to work spreading the ball around the field and taking advantage of the winded and vulnerable Tiger secondary.
After getting down to the LSU eight yard line on it’s first drive of the fourth, Clemson finally got the tough nosed LSU defense it had expected and was held to a 24-yard field goal by Catanzaro.
Clemson responded with stout defense of its own, forcing two Mettenberger incompletions and setting up shop at its own 23 after an LSU punt.
Taking only four minutes and change, Boyd picked apart the LSU secondary as he eventually found Hopkins again for his second score of the game to pull the Tigers within two.
Boyd short-hopped the throw on the two-point conversion attempt, however, and LSU remained ahead.
With three timeouts remaining, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was prepared to burn all three as his team gave the ball back to LSU near midfield after a pooch kickoff.
Miles, however, had other ideas.
He called three consecutive pass plays, two of which fell incomplete, and took only 1:04 off the clock.
“We were very fortunate after that two point conversion miss that I didn’t have to use any of my timeouts,” Swinney said. “I think [Miles] felt confident with the plays. All of us as coaches are going to dial up the things you believe in.”
Miles was blunt in his assessment of his team’s final offensive series, as he watched Clemson consistently crowd the line of scrimmage with eight or nine players.
“We had to throw the football,” Miles said.
Taking over at the 25-yard line after LSU punter Jamie Keehn’s touchback, Clemson and Boyd quickly found itself behind the eight-ball as it faced a 4th and 16.
As he seemingly did all evening, Hopkins got free and hauled in a pass on the 40 to give the Tigers a fresh set of downs and rile up the pro-Clemson crowd.
“We thought if we stayed on top of the routes we’d get the ball to come out early with some pressure,” Chavis said. “Sometimes you live by the sword and die by the sword. We thought it was the right call at the right time.”
Aided by a pass interference on LSU junior safety Eric Reid, Clemson maneuvered its way down to the LSU 20 to set up the game winning kick and ensuing bedlam as Clemson players and coaches flooded the field.
“This is a landmark win,” Swinney said. “Not only did they win 11 [games for the first time in 31 years], but they did it in fine fashion.”
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LSU head coach Les Miles leads the Tigers into the Georgia Dome Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 before the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) sacks Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) and linebacker Kevin Minter (46) react after LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU senior defensive end Chancey Aghayere and junior wide receiver Kadron Boone walk off the field Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 after the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior safety Craig Loston (6) and freshman cornerback Jalen Mills (28) celebrate Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) is sacked by Clemson defensive end Malliciah Goodman Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior linebacker Kevin Minter (46) tackles Clemson wide receiver Adam Humphries Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) is sacked Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) is tackled Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) throws the ball Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry catches a pass for a touchdown Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is tackled Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan (18) reaches to block an extra point Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) motions to the LSU fans Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd throws the ball Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga. Boyd was named the bowl’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
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LSU freshman cornerback Jalen Milles (28) tackles Clemson running back Andre Ellington Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore offensive guard La’El Collins commits an offensive foul Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) carries the ball Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) reacts after dropping a pass in the end zone Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior linebacker Tahj Jones (58) sacks Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry pounds the ground after dropping a pass in the end zone Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore place kicker James Hairston kicks off Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior safety Craig Loston (6) tackles Clemson wide receiver Adam Humphries Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU head coach Les Miles and defensive backs coach Corey Raymond yell at players Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger throws the ball Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrates with running back Roderick McDowell after scoring a touchdown Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry misses a pass on LSU’s last play Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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An LSU fan reacts to the heartbreaking loss Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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Clemson place kicker Chandler Catanzano (30) celebrates with holder Spencer Benton after kicking the game-winning field goal Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 during the Tigers’ 24-25 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) celebrates with his teammates Dec. 31, 2012 after scoring a touchdown in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) waltzes into the endzone Dec. 31, 2012 during the first quarter of the Chick-fil-A Bowl game against Clemson in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU football head coach Les Miles speaks to the media Dec. 31, 2012 following LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney speaks to a crowd of fans and players Dec. 31, 2012 following their 25-24 win over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU senior wide receiver Russell Shepard (10) walks to the locker room Dec. 31, 2012 following LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) and freshman offensive lineman Trai Turner (56) walk back to the locker room Dec. 31, 2012 after LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) dives for an overthrown ball Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU football head coach Les Miles ponders his next move Dec. 31 during the Tiger’s 24-25 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Clemson.
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LSU junior running back Michael Ford (42) returns a punt Dec. 31 during the Tiger’s 24-25 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Clemson.
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LSU junior safety Craig Loston (6) dives toward a Clemson player Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan (18) sacks Clemson junior quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-15 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior wide receiver James Wright (82) wants a flag while Clemson sophomore linebacker Stephone Anthony (12) signals for an incomplete pass Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss.
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LSU junior safeties Eric Reid (1) and Craig Loston (6) celebrate Dec. 31 after Loston’s fumble recovery in the first quarter of the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. LSU would eventually lose to Clemson, 24-25.
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The LSU football team runs out of the tunnel Dec. 31, 2012 before LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU junior cornerback Tharold Simon (24) towers over Clemson senior running back Andre Ellington (23) Dec. 31, 2012 after a tackle during LSU’s 24-25 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss in Atlanta, Ga.
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Chick-fil-A cows parachute to fans Dec. 31, 2012 before the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU freshman punter Jamie Keehn (38) punts the ball Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. Keehn replaced junior Brad Wing after Wing was suspended Dec. 20.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) sacks Clemson junior quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) Dec. 31, 2012 during LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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LSU sophomore offensive guard La’El Collins (70) commits a personal foul during LSU’s 24-25 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
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Clemson junior kicker Chandler Catanzaro (39) kicks the game-winning field goal Dec. 31, 2012 while LSU defenders stretch to block. LSU would lose 24-25.
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