A lingering question LSU fans and media alike were waiting to have answered was who would be the feature back for a program with a rich history of great college backs.
The Tigers might have found an answer with senior Nick Brossette.
Early on when the Tigers took on Miami during the AdvoCare game in Arlington on Sunday, the ground game wasn’t working at all as the offensive line took a few drives to settle in. The one play that really changed the entire outlook of the offense as Brossette sprinted for a 50-yard touchdown on a 2nd-and-15.
Brossette was asked what he saw on the big play with just one vision that opened up right in front of him.
“The goal line,” Brossette said. “I just wanted to get in. I was so shocked that I was just speechless. All I really wanted to do was help my team win.”
Brossette’s vision is what really stood out as he didn’t try to force anything that wasn’t there, playing with patience while trusting his offensive line to open holes for him. After the game, Brossette admitted none of his success occurs without help from the men on the front line.
After a monster 72 yards on eight carries in the first half, Brossette was able to complete his first 100-yard game of his collegiate career, midway through the third quarter.
Sophomore Clyde Edwards-Helaire received the second most carries on the night with eight, but was only able to churn out 24 yards on the ground.
Brossette knew his time was coming and that he told himself he just needed to play with confidence and the game would fall into place.
“I knew I had to be patient and humble,” Brossette said. “I just have a lot of confidence in myself and I think as a team we proved a lot of people wrong tonight.”
Quarterback Joe Burrow said the team is going to need a lot more nights like this one if they want to win at the highest level.
“He did a great job breaking long runs all night, when we needed them,” Burrow said. “Getting big first downs and I think that’s going to be the staple of our offense moving forward.”
The senior finished with 125 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns, outgaining his total yardage from the 2017 season of 96 yards.
Coach Ed Orgeron spoke on the patience that Brossette has shown the last few years in waiting behind former players like Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice.
“When we started camp, I thought by far he was our most physical back,” Orgeron said. “I felt he was going to have a big night and he did. I’m very proud of Nick who was one of our team captains for the game.”
