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After setting a career-high with 15 tackles in LSU’s 28-25 win over Mississippi State, linebacker Damone Clark was named the SEC defensive player of the week by the conference.
The LSU defense was the story of the first half, holding the Bulldogs to only 3 points while committing to a three-man rush. The defense also forced two early turnovers and Clark’s career day was a huge reason why the Tigers came out on top in Starkville Saturday.
#SECFB Defensive Player of the Week: @clark_damone
Full release » https://t.co/1qO2MHKCc7 pic.twitter.com/Q0lv0PRrYI
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 27, 2021
On the opening possession of the game, Clark scooped up a fumble at the LSU 30-yard line and returned it 35 yards to set up the first LSU touchdown of the day. After the game, Clark said he knew he should have scored on the fumble recovery, but luckily for him and the rest of the team, the offense was able to put up 7 points.
“I’m proud of the way our team fought,” Clark said after the game. “We fought to the end. I can’t be any more proud.”
Clark now leads the SEC with 41 tackles and is seventh in the country in solo tackles.
Once the Tigers went up 7-0, they never trailed the rest of the game, even as Mississippi State put together two touchdown drives late in the game.
LSU’s defense was on the field for 88 plays and limited the Bulldogs to 5.5 yards per play. Mississippi State’s first seven possessions of the game resulted in only three points.
On the LSU defensive game plan, Clark said after the game coaches harped on keeping “the ball in front you. No explosive plays. Don’t bite on the cheese.”
Clark and the Tigers defense forced the Bulldogs’ high-powered offense to punt three times, forced two turnovers and a missed field goal late into the third quarter.