While Sam Leavitt grabbed much of the attention in LSU’s 51-10 win over Clemson, running back Dilin Jones quietly put together one of the most important performances of the night.

Jones finished with 23 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns, matching Leavitt’s 113 rushing yards and helping LSU establish complete control of the game on the ground.

Jones wasted little time making his presence known. During LSU’s 89-yard scoring drive in the first quarter, the running back repeatedly moved the Tigers down the field, recording runs of 12, 14 and 15 yards. The drive eventually ended with Jones scoring on a one-yard touchdown run to give LSU a 10-3 lead.

At that point, Jones had already accumulated 60 yards on just 10 carries.

The performance continued throughout the game as LSU’s rushing attack became one of the biggest differences between the two teams. The Tigers finished with 309 rushing yards, while Clemson managed just 40 yards on the ground.

Jones added his second touchdown in the third quarter, breaking loose for a 12-yard score that pushed LSU’s advantage to 44-3.

His production also helped take pressure off Leavitt.

Rather than asking the new quarterback to carry the offense through the air, LSU was able to consistently move the football with its rushing attack.

“It doesn’t matter what your stats were before, how many stars, or what you make. He wasn’t a big name coming in. We just go off what we see,” head coach Lane Kiffin said.

For a team beginning a new era under Kiffin, establishing a dependable run game could prove crucial as the season progresses. Jones’ performance against Clemson showed that LSU has a back capable of handling a significant workload while still producing explosive plays.

The Tigers’ offense may have plenty of star power, but Jones’ performance was a reminder that LSU’s physicality on the ground could become one of its biggest strengths.