Fournette looks to take advantage of porous Eastern Michigan defense

LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette continues to rush past, around and through defenders early this season, setting career-high numbers in each of the No. 9 LSU football team’s three games this season.
The New Orleans-native rushed for 159 yards against Mississippi State University, ran for 228 against Auburn University and 244 against Syracuse University.
He said he expects to do the same when LSU (3-0, 2-0 SEC) takes on Eastern Michigan at 6 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
Fournette’s ability to break through tackles and initiate contact without fear is drawing comparisons to all-time greats like former Heisman winner and University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker, who said Fournette is better than he was when he played for Georgia.
Sophomore defensive tackle Davon Godchuax has the difficult task of battling against the star running back in practice and said sometimes it is a struggle to bring him down.
“[Fournette] is a beast. He is not your average running back,” Godchaux said. “He’s something special, and you’ll see that this year.”
The Eagles (1-3, 0-1 MAC) are arguably the worst suited team to deal with LSU’s potential Heisman candidate. They currently allow nearly 374 rushing yards per game this season and almost seven yards per carry, and that’s without facing a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.
In the team’s lone win, they allowed 430 rushing yards to Wyoming University, and they gave up 556 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground in their last game, a 58-36 loss to Army.
Fournette’s numbers are on pace to shatter the SEC single-season rushing yards record, 1891 yards held by Walker, as Fournette is currently on pace for 2,314 rushing yards in the regular season.
The LSU sophomore ranks third in the country with 631 rushing yards and averages nearly 211 yards per game. He found the endzone eight times already this season and currently sits 44 yards behind University of Indiana’s junior running back Jordan Howard, who currently leads the nation with 675 rushing yards.
LSU sophomore defensive back Jamal Adams credits Fournette’s success to his work ethic, attitude and ability to push aside the Heisman conversation.
“On and off the field, he is definitely humble. He comes in everyday and works hard,” Adams said. The Heisman will take care of itself. He’s just staying focused and is a great leader for the team.”
What makes his video game-esque numbers more incredible is Fournette has played one less game than the rest of the frontrunners. He does have a chance to overtake Howard this Saturday against Eastern Michigan University.
Fournette’s prowess and Eastern Michigan’s weakness in the run game adds up to what could be an incredibly long day for team from Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Eastern Michigan is a 44.5 point underdog, and if Fournette continues his blazing start, they will be pressed to stay under that line. The game will serve as the first meeting between the two squads.
However, Adams did give advice to those looking to bring down Fournette — it all comes down to preparation.
“You’ve got to have a plan going in” Adams said. “You’ve got to have ‘Eyes to the thighs’ as [Defensive backs] coach [Corey] Raymond teaches us — you’ve got to roll him and make a big play on him.”