LSU students react to season-opening win over Clemson
· Yahoo Sports
BATON ROUGE, LA. (Louisiana First) — LSU students are still talking about the Tigers’ season-opening win over Clemson and what the performance could mean for the rest of the season.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin speaks ahead of matchup against Louisiana TechThe Tigers opened the season with a highly anticipated matchup against Clemson, bringing a different level of energy to Tiger Stadium.
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For some students, that atmosphere is a major part of the LSU football experience.
“I’m not into sports, but, like, getting the experience, it’s all about the experience. So, like, we’re here at LSU, why not go have some fun, you know, watch the game, support your school here,” LSU junior Janaya Hunter said.
Hunter said the atmosphere around Tiger Stadium is usually filled with school spirit and energy, especially during big games.
Trevor Spinosa, a graduate student who has been at LSU for several years, said he was encouraged by what he saw from the Tigers.
“Our defense showed out in the second half of the game… We looked more like an organized unit than we have in the past few years,” Spinosa said.
Spinosa said it is still too early to know exactly what has changed, pointing to coaching, the players and the team's mindset as possible factors.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin also praised the atmosphere surrounding the game, saying the excitement from fans helped bring people together.
“It was really an amazing day,” Kiffin said. “I could already feel like the whole situation, like, banding them together.”
Kiffin also said the national attention surrounding the game could help LSU with recruiting.
Students, however, are keeping their expectations measured after just one game.
“I think it’ll really matter more when we get down to, like, the bigger games,” LSU junior Anastasia Standish said.
Hunter said she is especially looking forward to experiencing LSU's homecoming and the tailgating that comes with it.
“I feel like that’s where the real school spirit comes out,” Hunter said.
For now, LSU students say Saturday's win gave them an early reason to be excited — but the rest of the season will determine just how much this team has changed.
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