One game into his second season, the hype surrounding sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is a reality.
Fournette carried the now-No. 13 LSU football team’s offense on his mammoth shoulders with career highs in carries, yards and touchdowns as the Tigers escaped Starkville, Mississippi, with a 21-19 victory against Mississippi State in LSU’s official season opener.
Although the Bulldogs began to contain Fournette after his last touchdown with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter and had a chance at a comeback victory at the end of the game, the damage Fournette inflicted through the first three quarters proved too much for Mississippi State to overcome.
Fournette carried the ball 28 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns. LSU’s offensive game plan relied heavily on him, and he had twice as many carries as LSU had attempted passes.
Sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris made his second career start but spent most of it handing the ball to number seven.
“Even if we would’ve came out and threw the ball 50 times today, we would’ve executed, and we would’ve done a great job,” Harris said. “But when Leonard’s running the ball like that, [sophomore running back Darrel Williams is] running the ball like that and our o-line is opening up holes to where we can drive school buses in them, you [have to] keep riding with it.”
After Harris spent the offseason battling for the starting quarterback spot with junior Anthony Jennings, it was Fournette playing quarterback during LSU’s first touchdown of the season instead. Fournette lept over the goal line from one yard out after taking a direct snap in the wildcat formation to put the Tigers on the board for the first time this season.
His scores included a 26-yard scamper to the left side, during which he broke two tackles on his way to the end zone, and an 18-yard score in the third quarter on a similar play to put the Tigers ahead for good.
Although Fournette was the focal point of the offense in the first game, Harris had a few bright spots in his first start since LSU’s 41-7 loss to Auburn last season. He converted some key third downs for LSU using both his arm and his legs. He was also turnover-free while completing nine of 14 passes for 71 yards.
“With Brandon in the game, we feel comfortable,” Fournette said. “Any decision he’s made or is going to make, we’re 100 percent with it. He’s still young. He’s still learning. I can say he did a tremendous job today. It was his first time starting a [full game], and I’m proud of him.”
Fournette also said this season he is taking it upon himself to make Harris’ job.
“He always tells me, ‘Seven, we’re counting on you,’” Fournette said. “That’s something that motivates me. The head man of the team is really Brandon, and he’s counting on me, so that makes me want to work even harder.”
Fournette rushed for more yards than any other freshman in school history last season with 1,034 and added 10 touchdowns. This year, he said the game is coming easier to him.
Since his freshman season, Fournette said he has improved his vision and is more patient when looking for running lanes, crediting both running backs coach Frank Wilson and his offensive line. He said he looks to carry his momentum from Saturday’s game to the coming weekend, when LSU will take on Auburn in its official home opener at Tiger Stadium.
Auburn narrowly escaped a shocking upset against FBS opponent Jacksonville State University in its first home game of the season. But Fournette said LSU still isn’t taking the opposing Tigers lightly.
“The SEC is a tough division to play in,” Fournette said. “You have to be prepared each and every single week. Nobody’s a sleeper in the SEC. You can’t take anyone lightly. We’ll celebrate this win for 24 hours, but as soon as tomorrow comes — film. We’ll prepare for Auburn. There’s a ton [of talent] all over in the SEC, so we have to be prepared.”