Senior fullback James Stampley’s first career carry came on second down in the third quarter against Ole Miss on Saturday, two yards away from the end zone.
He took the handoff from senior quarterback Jarrett Lee but was stopped one yard short of the touchdown. LSU coach Les Miles called Stampley’s number again on the next play, but again Stampley was denied.
The failed attempt left LSU with a 4th and goal, and Miles had to make a decision. Should he reward the former walk-on with another attempt at his first career touchdown, or should he kick the field goal and cushion his 42-3 lead?
The players on the sideline clamored for Stampley to get one more shot, and Lee ran to Miles to plead for another fullback dive.
“[Lee] was supportive the whole time,” Stampley said. “He wanted to see me get in there as badly as I wanted to get in there.”
Stampley got his chance on fourth down and took advantage of the opportunity. Though he nearly botched the handoff from Lee, Stampley spun past an Ole Miss defender and fell into the end zone for his first score at any level.
“At that point I was just determined that I wasn’t going to be denied this touchdown,” Stampley said. “For me, this opportunity doesn’t come very often. I was just determined to get it in. I was going to make that work no matter what.”
The LSU sideline erupted in cheers and Stampley found himself receiving congratulatory headbutts from his teammates.
“Everybody was going crazy,” Stampley said. “They were showing what I was feeling inside.”
Usually the one dishing out the headshots, Stampley has attracted a reputation for breaking teammates’ facemasks and helmets during practice with his violent blocks. Always the lead blocker, Stampley finally experienced the emotions the running backs behind him feel every time they cross the goal line.
“That was a better feeling actually getting to score because I’m always the one helping to get the score,” Stampley said.
Though his name rarely appears on stat sheets, Stampley has had a significant impact on LSU’s run game. The 5-foot-10, 239-pounder walked on to the LSU football team before the 2009 season as an offensive lineman.
“He showed up here as an offensive guard, and we told him we needed a fullback,” Miles said. “He’s a very bright guy. He’s a very team-oriented player. We basically said to him, ‘We need you to play fullback for us,’ and he said, ‘OK.'”
The Baker native said he has embraced his role in the offense. During practice, when coaches put him in receiving drills, Miles said Stampley often questions why he has to practice catching. Stampley has started eight games this season, but until Saturday, he hadn’t recorded an offensive statistic in his career.
Stampley paved the way for an LSU rushing attack that racked up 353 yards Saturday against the Rebels. Though he speaks loudly with his blocking, senior offensive guard Will Blackwell said Stampley is more quiet off the field.
“He’s a very reserved guy, but he’s very friendly,” Blackwell said. “He does a lot of dirty work to be honest, and to see him reap some rewards, it’s good to see.”
Despite finally tasting pay dirt for the first time, Stampley and Blackwell agreed the fullback will likely have to wait to feel that rush again.
“I don’t know that he’s necessarily in the mix to get some carries,” Blackwell said. “But it was good to see a guy like Stampley get the touchdown.”
 
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