CLEMSON — After a long competition that dates back to January, Christopher Vizzina has earned the right to be Clemson’s starting quarterback.

Head coach Dabo Swinney named Vizzina his starter during his weekly press conference at the Smart Family Media Center on Tuesday.

What is Vizzina’s prize for beating out freshman Tait Reynolds?

How about a start at one of the most intimidating stadiums in college football – Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Vizzina will be Clemson’s new starting quarterback when the Tigers’ pay that “Death Valley” a visit on Saturday night.

“I do not think you could write it up any better,” Vizzina said. “What an opportunity for us as a team. I am very excited. We have been preparing for so long now. I am just so excited for the opportunity, and I have been talking to people about the experience of playing there.

“I see it as a blessing. That is one of the top places to play at in the country, and we are excited about the opportunity.”

Vizzina has spent the last three seasons backing up Cade Klubnik, who is now the second-string quarterback for the NFL’s New York Jets.

“CV has been incredibly steady,” Swinney said. “He really has done a lot of great things and has performed well and has kept the job. He had the pole position, and then Tait kind of closed the gap, and then CV kind of separated again.”

Vizzina has one start under his belt thus far. That came last year at home against SMU. He filled in for an injured Klubnik and threw for 317 yards and 3 TDs on 29 of 42 passing with no interceptions.

“I have had a lot of time to reflect on that in the last 24 hours,” Vizzina said about winning the job. “My love for Clemson is what stands out when I think about the journey. There have been some tough days to be honest, and some days where you just want to play football.

“I would not change anything about it right now, just standing up. I have accomplished that but there is a lot more work to be done and I am just very thankful for the opportunity.”

Since 2000, LSU has won 88 percent of its home games at night. Clemson and LSU kick off at 7:30 p.m., EST, on ABC.

Clemson will attempt to become the first team to earn a victory in its first visit to Baton Rouge since UAB upset Nick Saban’s Tigers 13-10 on Sept. 23, 2000.

As for Reynolds, he likely will play in the LSU game, too. Swinney made it clear that Reynolds remains a big part of the plans moving forward.

“I’ve got to give Tait a ton of credit,” Swinney said. “This kid is a true freshman walking in here. He is really super talented. But you can’t just be talented. And he ain’t going away. I think he’s going to continue to compete.”