Tiger rushing attack took strides versus USC

By Hunt Palmer

LSU’s running game improved on Saturday.

Was it dominating? No. Did LSU grind South Carolina to a paste? No. Was it better? Yes.

LSU entered the game as the worst rushing offense in the SEC and still holds that dubious distinction. But there was a commitment to the ground game and some positive results from that.

The Tigers ran 30 times for 166 yards, a season best. The 5.5 yards per carry was also a high-water mark. Four times LSU rushed for over 15 yards. Caden Durham produced a pair, and Ju’Juan Johnson and Garrett Nussmeier each added one.

Durham was stuffed on his first two runs of the game. After that, nine of his next 11 runs were “efficient runs,” meaning they gained at least three yards or resulted in a first down. For Durham, 70 yards on 15 carries isn’t going to rewrite the record books, but it’s a productive day.

CREATIVITY

LSU tried some wrinkles.

The first snap of the game was under center. It was stuffed.

Moments later, Johnson took snaps out of the wildcat. He gained seven yards with a lead block from walk on fullback Malachi Lane. Jack Pyburn also played some fullback.

Harlem Berry got three first half carries, too. He earned that with some good runs late against Ole Miss.

None of this is transformational, but it’s showing a willingness to be creative and stick with the ground game.

BALANCE

LSU finished the game with 33 passes and 30 rushes.

They passed for 254 yards and ran for 166.

LSU ran 32 first down plays. The ratio was 19 passes to 13 runs. For a team that is better throwing the ball than running it, that number works.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

South Carolina doesn’t have a great defense. They’re 11th in the SEC in rushing defense and 12th in yards per carry allowed. They’re eighth in tackles for loss, and only Arkansas gives up more big plays on the ground.

This is nothing to throw a party for, but the talking point entering the Ole Miss game was the Rebels’ porous run defense. LSU couldn’t mount anything on the ground that day.

At least in this case they found some holes, made some big plays on the ground and stuck to it.