Brian Kelly Credits Players' Belief and Second-Half Control in LSU's Statement Win Over Clemson

Head Coach Brian Kelly, LSU | Photo: Dez Barnes

Tigers head coach emphasizes composure and competitive depth after signature victory

In the aftermath of LSU's impressive Saturday night victory over Clemson, head coach Brian Kelly was quick to deflect praise to his players while highlighting the mental toughness that carried the Tigers to a statement win against a top-five opponent.

"Confidence and believe that you can win the game - that's what our players thought," Kelly said during his post-game press conference. "You have to compete and believe it, and they showed great composure."

The third-year LSU coach emphasized how his team's unwavering focus proved crucial in a high-stakes environment. Kelly praised his players for competing "every single play up until the end" and maintaining their focus on the task at hand despite the pressure of facing a highly-ranked Clemson squad.

"They deserve all the credit in the world," Kelly said when discussing his players and the victory. "They stayed focused on what they came to do."

Defensive Complement Proves Crucial

Kelly acknowledged that facing a top-five team required a complete team effort, particularly from a defensive unit that needed to rise to the occasion.

"We needed to complement with defense, and we knew they needed a defense against a top 5 team," Kelly explained. "We have the competitive depth to compete at a high level."

The coach was particularly proud of how his team controlled the game's momentum when it mattered most, pointing to the second half as a turning point that many observers may have overlooked.

"I think it's overlooked that we controlled the second half with our offense," Kelly stated. "That was imperative to the win."

Learning From Last Year's Lessons

Kelly revealed that the team's preparation for this matchup was heavily influenced by lessons learned from the previous season, using those experiences as motivation for improvement.

"We knew what we needed to be better at from last year - using that as a way to improve coming into the game," he said.

This growth mindset appears to be a cornerstone of Kelly's approach as he builds the LSU program. When asked about maintaining momentum throughout the season, Kelly returned to a familiar refrain.

"We need to go 1-0 each week. It's cliche, but that's the mantra for the season," Kelly emphasized.

Staying Present-Focused

Even when pressed about controversial moments in the game, including questions about an overturned call that required review, Kelly maintained his focus on what his team could control.

"All you can control is the next play," Kelly said when asked about the review, demonstrating the same present-moment focus he demands from his players.

The veteran coach's measured response reflected the composure that seemed to define LSU's performance throughout the contest. Rather than getting caught up in the emotional highs of a big win or dwelling on controversial calls, Kelly kept his message centered on process and preparation.

Building Something Special

Kelly's post-game comments painted a picture of a program that understands what it takes to compete at the highest level. The combination of belief, preparation, and competitive depth that he described suggests LSU is positioning itself as a serious contender in the SEC and beyond.

"Overall, I'm proud of the team," Kelly concluded, summarizing what was clearly an emotional and significant victory for the program.

As LSU moves forward with their season, Kelly's emphasis on taking things one week at a time while building on the confidence gained from this signature win will be crucial. The Tigers have proven they can compete with elite competition, and under Kelly's steady leadership, they appear ready to maintain that standard throughout the challenging weeks ahead.

For a program still establishing its identity under Kelly's guidance, Saturday night's performance against Clemson provided both validation and a blueprint for future success - one built on belief, composure, and the kind of competitive depth that championship teams require.