LSU’s one-two running back combination of “Double D” and “The Toe truck” has worked well this season, but injuries have limited the backfield’s effectiveness down the stretch.
Senior Domanick Davis and Junior LaBrandon Toefield ran over opposing defenses early in the year.
Toefield punished defenses with hard runs between the tackles, gaining 323 yards for a 5.7 yards per carry average and six touchdowns in five games. His 17-carry, 111-yard performance against Miami (Ohio) established the running game early in the season.
A broken arm in the UL-Lafayette game sidelined Toefield for eight weeks, but he could be back in action later in the year.
Davis has been more of an outside threat, using his slashing ability and speed to make defenders miss. His 569 yards rank eighth in the Southeastern Conference and his 1,345 all-purpose yards are best in the conference.
Davis’ speedy moves helped him rack up 100-yard games against Mississippi State and South Carolina, both were Tiger victories.
Joseph Addai stepped in for Toefield and has gained 325 yards on 64 carries. Addai, a redshirt freshman, had been playing fullback. Shyrone Carey also has seen time at backup tailback, notching 96 yards on 14 carries.
Since losing Toefield, opposing teams have been able to contain the Tiger running game, focusing more on Davis.
The quarterbacks have also contributed to the running game. Matt Mauck and Marcus Randall have combined for 298 rushing yards on 77 carries.
The team ranks third in the conference in rushing offense, and having Toefield back could help bolster the rushing attack. Toefield’s return might also free up more chances for LSU’s passing game to air it out.
For the running game to have continued success, the backs will have to avoid injuries and the two-back system will have to keep opponents off-guard with the inside-outside attack. Otherwise, SEC defenses will stack the line and pile on LSU’s backs before they can see the line of scrimmage.