LSU Rushing Attack Looking to Continue Success

Starting with the road win at Florida on October 11th, the LSU rushing attack has asserted itself as the team’s offensive strength, consistent with what we’re accustomed to seeing during the Les Miles’ era at LSU.

The question on Tigers’ fans minds now – can LSU maintain this success on November 8th when Alabama comes calling? I’ll answer that question with a resounding YES!

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After putting up only pedestrian rushing yardage numbers against Mississippi State (89), and Auburn (138), LSU seemingly has flipped the switch the past three SEC games, which by the way, have been wins. The Tigers have 762 yards rushing the past three weeks, putting up 195 at Florida, 303 vs Kentucky, and 264 vs Ole Miss.

It pays to point out that both Florida and Ole Miss, up until playing LSU, both had been quite stout against the run. Clearly, the offensive game plan for LSU to run it down the opponents’ throats is working. There’s no reason to think why LSU won’t continue to have success.

Four things to point out: (1) the offensive line has really come around and has played great football the past three weeks after a slow start, (2) making Leonard Fournette the featured back was a smart decision by the coaching staff, (3) finding ways to utilize the other running backs to maximize effectiveness and productivity is working, and (4) getting the tight ends and fullbacks into the mix, whether via blocking or getting them touches is keeping opposing defenses off-balance.

The O-Line

Enough can’t be said about a dominating offensive line. This unit is playing spectacular football. It has to be quite demoralizing to the opponent knowing that a run play is coming, and there is nothing they can do stop it. The Tigers’ game-winning drive against Ole Miss featured 12 straight running plays. The Rebels’ defense knew what was coming and they could not stop it. Hats off to La’el Collins (LT), Vadal Alexander (LG), Elliott Porter (C), Ethan Pocic (RG), and Jerald Hawkins (RT). The line is opening up running lanes against some tough defenses now, and I expect this to continue, as this unit is playing with a lot of confidence and swagger.

Earlier in the season, there were message board postings stating that OL Coach Jeff Grimes should be fired. Not hearing any of that now.

Leonard Fournette

Leonard Fournette is emerging as a premier running back as a true freshman. He ran for 140 yards against Florida and 113 yards against Ole Miss. The light bulb has truly turned on for Fournette. Instead of trying to run defending players over, he is showing patience and waiting for the holes to open up.

Even though he had a pedestrian 40 yards rushing against Kentucky, he arguably still played a role in helping to wear down the Kentucky defense given the overall rushing success for LSU. For the season, Fournette has rushed for 657 yards on 131 carries, with seven touchdowns – he is 8th in the SEC in rushing yards. Expect him only to get stronger.

By the way, the kid can catch a pass out of the backfield.

The Other Backs

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Terrence Magee (18) carries the ball as he looks toward Mississippi Rebels defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) in the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

We all know that Les Miles likes to rotate his running backs, and he and OC Cam Cameron have found ways to utilize the other running backs. This even after making Fournette the featured back.

In the Kentucky game, when Fournette struggled somewhat, senior Terrence Magee stepped up with the hot hand. Magee rushed for 127 yards on only nine carries against the Wildcats. How’s that for effective running! In the Ole Miss game, Magee ran for 74 yards. Additionally, given LSU’s quarterback struggles, one area in the passing game that has emerged is the screen pass to the running backs, and Magee has shown himself to be a great weapon here.

Not to be outdone by his running back comrades, senior Kenny Hilliard has shown great resilience and reliability. There are Tiger fans who complain that he’s a forgotten man, but this clearly is not the case. Hilliard, with fresh legs, has been a great asset to have in the second half – case in point against Ole Miss. When the Rebels’s defense was showing signs of wearing down, Hilliard took full advantage by leading the charge in the game-winning drive. He ran for 47 of his 63 yards on that drive, displaying both finesse with a nifty spin move, and sheer toughness in throwing an Ole Miss defender off to the side. Both of these moves, in fact, came on the same play!

True freshman Darrel Williams makes the running back corps for LSU a four-headed monster. Defenses will continue to have trouble in defending this.

Tight Ends and Fullbacks

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Logan Stokes (84) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

For several years now, we know that Les Miles likes to utilize his fullbacks in the offense, and not just as blocking backs. We have seen where fullbacks have had success running the ball, and making catches out of the backfield.

This year, Melvin Jones has emerged as such a back that can gain some tough yardage, and catch the ball.From a blocking standpoint, enough can’t be said about these guys in the trenches. Connor Neighbors is a tough customer, and he made a key block on the Tigers’ game winning drive that allowed Hilliard to convert a 4th-and-1 play that kept that drive alive.

The tight ends have shown great blocking ability as well, and perhaps can now be counted on in adding another wrinkle to the offense. This was demonstrated on the game-winning touchdown play to Logan Stokes. Les and Cam seemingly faked out the entire stadium and TV viewing audience, never mind the Ole Miss defense, which didn’t it see it coming.

Next Up

With Alabama next on the schedule, and as a team that is also strong against the run, there’s no reason to think that LSU cannot continue being successful in this phase of the game. This LSU team over the past three weeks has shown the ability to overcome adversity, and with that is now an air of confidence. Look for LSU to have similar success in the running game vs Alabama, based on the above.

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