LSU's perfect season snaps Clemson's historic 29-game winning streak
In short: In a high-stakes clash at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the LSU Tigers faced a daunting task: toppling the defending national champions. Entering the game undefeated, both teams sought to cement a perfect 15–0 season, but only one would emerge from the New Orleans night as the undisputed national champion.
Played on January 13, 2020, the sixth College Football Playoff National Championship was a battle of undefeated titans. The top-seeded LSU Tigers faced the third-seeded Clemson Tigers, the defending champions. Both teams entered the matchup with 14–0 records, aiming to become the second team in the modern era to complete a perfect 15–0 season, following Clemson's own achievement the previous year. The matchup was the first of four consecutive championships to feature the number one and number three seeds. This contest was televised by ESPN and held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
The game was a defensive and offensive struggle that saw Clemson initially take the lead. After a rushing touchdown by Trevor Lawrence and a field goal by B.T. Potter, Clemson held a 10–10 tie before extending their lead. However, LSU's offense, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, surged in the second quarter. Burrow's scoring pass to Thaddeus Moss helped LSU secure a 28–17 halftime advantage. LSU's momentum continued as Joe Burrow threw a touchdown pass to Terrace Marshall Jr. in the final quarter. This scoring drive helped the Tigers maintain their dominance throughout the second half.
The second half saw Clemson attempt to mount a comeback, aided by a touchdown from Travis Etienne. However, LSU's defense and Burrow's precision proved decisive. A crucial fumble by Lawrence near the end of the game allowed LSU to run out the clock. The Tigers secured a 42–25 victory, marking their first national championship in the College Football Playoff era and their first since 2007. This victory also marked the initial time an LSU team secured a national title within their home state following the 2008 Florida Gators. The victory ensured LSU finished with a flawless 15–0 record, matching the feat achieved by the 2018 Clemson squad. This win also ended Clemson's impressive 29-game winning streak.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-2020-college-football-playoff-national-championship.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
