It’s like a movie.An injured veteran and a largely unknown former fullback fill in for one of the most successful athletes to take a handoff at LSU. That’s the backfield situation heading into the 2010 LSU football season, only the climax of the film won’t unravel until the fall. Former Tiger running back Charles Scott’s 32 career touchdowns are more than six times the five combined touchdowns between his replacements, senior Richard Murphy and junior Stevan Ridley.  But the numbers could be deceiving. Murphy has been used in moderation as a third-down back and a receiver out of the backfield. Ridley was a fullback before injuries to Scott and former running back Keiland Williams forced him into a starting tailback spot.  The running game was mediocre at best last season despite boasting a potential NFL running back in Scott. The Tigers finished with 1,596 rushing yards, almost 150 less than its opponents, and ranked No. 84 among Division-I schools — three spots behind in-state rival Louisiana-Lafayette. Perhaps two athletes with something to prove can right the ship. Murphy is coming off an ACL surgery after injuring his knee on a pass against Vanderbilt two games into last season.  ”I’m ready for contact,” Murphy said. “It’s my last year, and I’m going to work out to prepare myself to be the guy that they want me to be.”  LSU coach Les Miles said he knows Murphy wants to go all out, but its a dicey situation. Murphy, who has donned a green jersey at practice, could be held out of full contact until the fall.”We’ll see how these next two weeks go,” Miles said. “He’s chomping at the bit, I can tell you that.”Miles said he has to balance Murphy’s health while getting him prepared for a Southeastern Conference season. “We might limit his carries, but we want to make sure he gets all the carries that he’s going to need to develop his eyes and the ability to make that cut,” Miles said. Ridley’s first rushing performance last season came against Tulane, when he rushed eight times for 73 yards and a touchdown. He is most widely remembered for his 8-yard touchdown scamper against Alabama to give the Tigers a 15-10 lead late in the third quarter after Scott broke his collarbone. “I’m looking at trying to hold down a starting spot,” Ridley said. “I’m going to work hard. I know that me and Richard are going to push each other.” Even the coaching is new. Frank Wilson joined the LSU staff as the running backs coach in December after serving as Tennessee’s wide receivers coach last season. “We feel like we already know him,” Murphy said. “He’s from Louisiana, and he’s really calm and collected. Everybody’s growing more attached to him.” But the biggest question mark in the backfield is freshman Michael Ford.  Scout.com listed Ford, who redshirted last season, as the nation’s No. 3 running back prospect in the class of 2009.  Junior left guard Josh Dworaczyk said Ford will be a reliable force by season’s end. “Just be excited,” Dworaczyk said. “That’s all I’ve got to say.” Murphy echoed Dworaczyk’s sentiments.”Michael Ford is showing up,” Murphy said. “He’s showing Coach Miles what they recruited him for.”—-Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]