LSU Tigers finally found catalyst they need to fix their running game in victory over South Carolina
The LSU passing attacked looked phenomenal through the first two weeks of the season, but the ground game was a huge problem. After John Emery Jr. went down with his injury not a single LSU running back had been averaging more than even four yards per carry. The run blocking looked miserably inconsistent, requiring running […]
The LSU passing attacked looked phenomenal through the first two weeks of the season, but the ground game was a huge problem. After John Emery Jr. went down with his injury not a single LSU running back had been averaging more than even four yards per carry. The run blocking looked miserably inconsistent, requiring running backs to amass 75% of their rushing yards after contact. The Tigers desperately needed someone to step up and fix things.
That's exactly what they got out of Caden Durham, a top notch four star true freshman talent in their 36-33 victory over South Carolina.
After two drives of the LSU Tigers offense struggling to do anything on the ground yet again, head coach Brian Kelly apparently decided he had seen enough. Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams combined for just 18 rushing yards on their first six collective carries and it was causing longer down and distance situations for third downs.
As Caden Durham stepped onto the field the LSU Tigers were approaching the South Carolina "red zone" and they immediately gave him his first touch. Stuffed for just one yard. After a quick miss to Kyle Parker on the next play LSU went back to Caden Durham, but this time he broke off a huge 26-yard run for a score!
From that point on in the game Caden Durham was much more involved, quickly becoming the obvious lead option for the Tigers down the stretch. He continued his impressive efficiency, explosion, and elusiveness on nearly every touch as he finished the game with 12 total touches for 99 yards from scrimmage and two scores.
Durham's second touchdown showcased his impressive first-step burst that likely originates from his record-setting high school track background. It was just a simple carry off left guard that should have frankly ended as a two-yard gain, but he kicked it outside avoiding one tackle, side-stepped another, and pushed his way through two more defenders for the score.
Deep into the fourth quarter when LSU needed a critical score late to take the lead it wasn't Josh Williams or Kaleb Jackson on the field to open the drive. It was Caden Durham. And Durham rewarded that trust by immediately kicking off the drive with a 10-yard gain, followed up by another four-yard carry. Williams subbed in to give Durham a breather and inevitably scored the touchdown, but it seems the team has found their new starter.
When asked about Durham after the game, Brian Kelly had this to say:
"[Caden Durham] broke a ton of tackles. That's the nature of the SEC, to make guys miss and run through tackles. He did a really good job of showing himself today, and setting a standard of what we need at the running back position."
Even if Durham isn't officially the "starter" moving forward he's clearly increased the level of trust that running backs coach Kevin Faulk and head coach Brian Kelly have in him. LSU fans should expect to see much more of the talented true freshman in the coming weeks if he keeps up his impressive efficiency as the best running back on the team.
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