Ed Orgeron has never seen anything like him.
Not like Leonard Fournette, LSU’s newest single-game record holder for rushing yards with 284.
“I’ve never been a part of a player like Leonard,” the coach said after his third win as LSU’s (5-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) coach.
“He’s dynamic. I believe he’s the best player in the country.”
Fournette, in No. 25 LSU’s 38-21 rout of No. 23 Ole Miss on Saturday, set the Tigers’ new program record with 284 rushing yards — crushing Alley Broussard’s former record at 250 rushing yards, which Broussard hit in 26 carries against Ole Miss in 2004.
But Fournette?
He needed eight carries.
“I admire him,” Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3 SEC) coach Hugh Freeze said.
“I’m glad he’s on our team,” Orgeron continued.
His career-high night was nearly made when halftime rolled around at roughly 10 p.m. Saturday night.
Fournette plunged for 171 yards on six carries in the opening 30 minutes, and glided to two touchdowns of 59 and 76 yards.
In the half, Fournette — after a bubble screen reception — lowered his shoulder into a Rebels defensive back’s chest plate, delivered a resonating boom and reminding Tiger Stadium of what has been missing since LSU’s 13-18 loss at Auburn.
But no one could forget about Fournette, right?
Wrong, Colin Jeter says.
“Oh yeah, a lot of people did,” the tight end said. “He was out to prove some people wrong tonight. He showed why he’s one of the best running backs in the nation.”
“It was great to have Leonard back, obviously,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “I think he’s the best player in America.”
On LSU’s opening play of the second half — Fournette’s seventh rushing attempt — the junior tailback muscled to a 78-yard touchdown run after planting an Ole Miss defender with a stiff arm for his third rushing touchdown Saturday.
The Tigers featured three scoring drives of three or fewer plays, including the one-play, 78-yard dash from Saturday’s dashing star who has been dealing with a lingering bone bruise and a high and low ankle sprain, he revealed after the win.
“I was good to see No. 7 healthy and running again,” Jeter said.
But, there were others who contributed besides Fournette.
Sophomore tailback Derrius Guice added 57 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
Tiger gunslinger Danny Etling posted an 19 of 28 clip with 204 yards and one touchdown — a 40-yard, wide-open lob to junior receiver D.J. Chark — and one interception.
“I’m glad with the job he’s doing,” Jeter said of Etling. “He comes in and works every week and it shows on Saturdays.”
But Saturday was Fournette’s night.
“It’s not surprising,” senior center Ethan Pocic said. “He played great.”
Leonard Fournette announced he would be entering the NFL draft after LSU's bowl game this year.
