RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G ---------------------------------------------------------------- Alley Broussard 3 26 110 18 92 3.5 2 19 30.7 Charles Scott 2 9 86 0 86 9.6 1 38 43.0 Jacob Hester 3 19 74 4 70 3.7 2 28 23.3 Justin Vincent 3 22 68 0 68 3.1 0 8 22.7 T. Holliday 2 2 38 0 38 19.0 0 34 19.0 J. Russell 3 8 38 1 37 4.6 0 13 12.3 Matt Flynn 2 5 44 12 32 6.4 0 14 16.0 K. Williams 2 4 16 2 14 3.5 0 10 7.0 Early Doucet 3 1 10 0 10 10.0 0 10 3.3 Ryan Perrilloux 2 1 0 4 -4 -4.0 0 0 -2.0 Total.......... 3 97 484 41 443 4.6 5 38 147.7 If you take away Scott's 38 yard TD run, he still averages 5.33 yards a carry, Broussard 3.5, and Vincent 3.1. I know it's obvious we need to work on the running game, but after seeing these rather unimpressive stats, I want to see our young backs play more than ever. Broussard, against Arizona, carried the ball 8 times for 30 yards, averaging 3.8 yards a carry. He also had a 17 yard run for a touchdown. Take away that long run, and he averaged 1.62 yards a carry. Vincent, also against Arizona, averaged 3.9 yards a carry on 8 carries for 31 yards. Even against Arizona, we couldn't run quite effectively and our feature backs couldn't produce what they should. After seeing these stats, I was a little surprised at the lack of running game we have. Hopefully, and I'm sure they are, the coaches see this and are willing to try newer, faster backs. The future is now... Really?
Scott looks great, but his stats came in garbage time against way overmatched and tired teams. I would love to see him run more though.
I agree throw away the stats during garbage time. I don't know where Broussard stood before the Auburn game. But I doubt the new kids on the block could have done any better. There was nowhere to go. I would bet that our running game improves thru the year. But then again if we are doing 3.5 yards a carry. With the passing game being what it is. I'll take the 3.5 everytime. I guess at this time I am not worreid about the running game knowing or at least hoping AB will come along as the year goes and the younger backs will start to see playing time against the stronger opponents.
The ground game has to be a concern for Tiger fans. We are simply not producing as we should be. I am not sure if it is because of the offensive lines or the backs. I suspect it is a little bit of both. I know offensive linemen have been missing assignments, and both Broussard and Vincent are still feeling the effects of their injuries. We can solve that part of the problem by playing Scott and Keiland more - particularly if Broussard and Vincent don't improve.
Stats are deceiving. I'd like to see us schedule at least one more team from Pac 10, Big 10, or Big 12. Either Tulane or UL in one year is enough. An LSU home game is always a treat, maybe some will disagree, but is anyone really excited about playing Tulane after last weekend.
The coaches want to play the young players, too. But the coaches understand that a running back has to be a complete player. It ain't just about carrying the football. They have to be able to pick up the blitz and got out for passes as well. It takes time to develop these things which is why young backs are brought along slowly. Thank God the coaches have more patience than the fans. The big problem with the running game right now is lack of good run-blocking from the offensive line. Les Miles has said it, the offensive linemen have said, and observers can see this is the case. If a hole is not there, Scott and Williams won't get yardage either.
That says it all. red, I'd like to contribute to the form, can you give me an address to send a check to. I don't like to use credit card on internet. Personal hang-up.
Absolutely hit the nail on the head. And to suggest that Scott got his yardage and they are "garbage" stats is utterly ridiculous as well. There's Good News & Bad News here First the good news! Scott isn't even the best freshmen. Keiland Williams will be the man, mark the words. Scott got playing time cuz Williams was late to Fall Camp. Scott will be the "2" of a future 1-2 punch and will get plenty of carries. The Bad News! They can't open holes by themselves. LSU Playcalling is seriously flawed by its predictability (formations/sets, down and distance tendencies). Add ultraconservative playcalling to the mix and you have a recipe for problems. Simply, LSU has to throw the ball more often to open up the rushing attack and achieve its full potential. After the Wednesday Night show, I SEE NOTHING FROM MILES INDICATING THIS! Years of watching Cholly Mac FB has left me cynical about LSU's chances for another serious run at the NC & creation of an offensive Juggernaut to match its defense. Miles, like Mac, will simply try to "out-defense" opponents and play conservative ball ... whether you like it or not ... agree/disagree whatever ... ITS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW UNDER YOUR NOSES. YOU, JOE FAN, HAS NO SAY IN THE MATTER & WE'RE GONNA SEE BIG 10 MENTALITY BALL HERE FOR A WHILE.
To think that Scott is the answer to all our problems based on nine carries against the #58 and #117 defenses in the country is naive. The coaches are bringing Scott and Williams along and they will steadily get more playing time and be stars next year. Scott will likely get good yardage against Tulane's #118 ranked defense. But how would you have felt if they put him in against the stout, experienced Auburn defense and he fumbled . . . or missed the blitz and let Russell get sacked . . . or ran the play to the wrong direction because he is green? The coaches know what the freshmen can and can't do yet and it is smart coaching to play them in games that we really can't lose and let them get their freshman mistakes done when it can't hurt us.
