LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette spent much of the season chasing records.
Following his 228 yard performance against Auburn on Sept. 19, many thought it was only a matter of time before he would set the LSU single-game rushing record. The following week, he did – well except he didn’t.
Fournette rushed for what would have been 350 yards against Syracuse, but he had two long runs, including a 87-yard touchdown, called back by penalties. He had to settle for 244.
Though Tiger fans were upset penalties cost the LSU star of a record-breaking performance, they saw LSU’s matchup with Eastern Michigan as Fournette’s guaranteed 250 yard game.
The sophomore was running like a freight train without brakes and Eastern Michigan averaged allowing nearly 375 yards per game. Many thought Fournette could outdo that number on his own. If he had stayed in the game, he probably could have at least broken Alley Broussard’s 250 yard single game record.
But LSU jumped out to a 44-22 lead early in the fourth quarter, leading him to take a seat with 14 minutes remaining in the game. Fournette finished with 233 yards on 26 carries.
Fournette never reached 200 yards again the rest of the season, averaging 125 yards per game. Surely, those totals are nothing to scoff at. But the way he started the season, LSU fans expected more from their Heisman hopeful.
His chase of Broussard’s record fell to the side after LSU went on its three-game losing streak.
But now after the drama of the losing streak and potential coaching change are over, Fournette is back in the national spotlight heading into Tuesday night’s AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
Remember the abysmal Eastern Michigan rushing defense? LSU’s bowl opponent, Texas Tech, is ranked just two spots ahead of them at 126th out of 128 teams. The Red Raiders allow 271.8 yards per game.
After the Eastern Michigan game, senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander said, “[Fournette’s] a team player, so if the coach wants him to come out 1 yard from a record, he’s fine with it. Trust me.”
If Fournette matches his rushing total from the Eastern Michigan game, not only will he fail to break the single-game rushing record but also LSU’s bowl game record, by only one yard.
Except unlike the Eastern Michigan game, Les Miles doesn’t have a reason to save Fournette. There’s no game next week. No more conference games for nine 
Don’t expect that quote from Alexander to be repeated after Tuesday’s game. Fournette will get plenty of touches and should stay in the game late until the fourth quarter. 
Freshman running back Derrius Guice will probably spell Fournette often in the game as Miles likes to keep his back rested for the fourth quarter, so it could also be a big game for Guice.
Tech has given up multiple 100-yard rushers in the same game twice this season – the first against Oklahoma and the other against West Virginia.
Regardless of who carries the ball, the Tigers are expected to run early and run often. Everybody knows it, even Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury.
“We’ve had our struggles against the run, so we’ll have to play our best game. We know he’s going to get his yards,” Kingsbury said. “There is no doubt about it. He’s done that against everybody. We just have to try to slow him down enough to give ourselves a chance.”

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Brian Pellerin