When veteran running backs Joseph Addai and Shyrone Carey fell victim to injury earlier in the season, it was uncertain if the unproven freshmen backs would be able to fill in effectively. But freshmen running backs Justin Vincent and Alley Broussard have wiped away all doubt and continue to see significant playing time even with the return of Addai and Carey.
“We knew they had good backs,” said senior defensive tackle Chad Lavalais. “Early on they were just in a bad position with Joseph Addai and Shryone Carey in front of them. It was a freak of nature that they both got hurt and those guys came in and started playing. That’s what you have to have in the Southeastern Conference. You can’t just have one back. You have to have a bunch of guys that you can just throw in who will put up the same numbers.”
Both players saw limited action throughout the season, but began to see extensive playing time against South Carolina. Broussard rushed for 108 yards on 19 attempts, while Vincent added 79 yards on 16 attempts and two touchdowns. Both players were named as offensive players of the game by the LSU coaching staff for that performance.
Vincent has been named as an offensive player of the game three times, most recently for his 105-yard performance at Ole Miss. His 127-yard performance against Auburn also earned him that distinction.
“Justin is a really complete back,” said senior offensive tackle Rodney Reed. “He does everything for us, blocks and makes catches out of the backfield.”
The Lake Charles native ranks seventh in school history in rushing yards by a freshman with 571 yards on 102 carries and five touchdowns, while Broussard is in tenth place with 336 yards on 72 carries and four touchdowns. Former New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard holds the LSU record for most yards as a freshman with 902 yards, while Kevin Faulk is in second place with 852 yards.
“They [Vincent and Broussard] have done a tremendous job all year long,” said junior quarterback Matt Mauck. “It has been amazing to see how well they played.”
Both Vincent and Broussard have rushed for more than 100 yards in two games this season. That feat puts them in exclusive company. The last two freshmen to rush for 100 yards in a single game in the same season were Hilliard and Garry James.
“It’s amazing how much they have come in and done,” said senior offensive guard Stephen Peterman. “There aren’t too many times when you see a freshman do that and for ours to do that it’s amazing.”
Sophomore offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said the duo has surpassed everyone’s expectations and they continue to improve with each carry.
“The thing is they have done way more than anyone has ever expected,” Whitworth said. “They are playing like older guys at a young age. They have definitely gotten better and better every time they touched the ball in games. With a running back that will always be true. The more carries they have the more experience they get the better they will be in a game situation.”
Broussard and Vincent began their LSU careers by playing on the scout squad. Each day in practice, the scout offense faces off against the first team defense, which gave Vincent and Broussard invaluable experience.
“I have to tip my hat to them,” said junior defensive end Marquise Hill. “They are young kids and saw the positives to it. A lot of guys that are on the scout team think it is a negative thing. If you’re going against one of the top defenses in college football and making plays on them, you will make plays in the game.”
Both were highly-touted recruits in high school. Broussard was Louisiana’s top running back last year, rushing for 1,910 yards on 290 carries and 27 touchdowns at Acadiana High. Vincent left Barbe High School as the school’s all-time rushing leader with 5,464 yards and set a school record for career touchdowns with 75.
“I knew they were good backs coming out of high school, but you have to prove yourself around here,” Hill said. “They came in and held their own. They got knocked around a little bit, but they didn’t wine or say anything, they just got back up and kept playing.”
Vincent and Broussard have similar production, but have different styles of running.
“Justin Vincent is more of a shifty runner who is outstanding at changing direction,” said sophomore wide receiver Skyler Green. “Alley Broussard is mostly a bruising back. He’s doing a tremendous job of getting his shoulders squared, staying low, running in the hole and over defenders.”
Before having to take on a major role in the Tigers’ offense, Broussard had some difficulty holding on to the ball. In the second game of the season at Arizona, he fumbled twice on four carries, but has not fumbled since.
“His focus and concentration on not fumbling has been tremendous,” Green said. “I think his confidence has built by him just being more focused at the task at hand and getting the job done less of worrying about the ball.” Reed said Vincent has improved and matured throughout the season.
“He’s always been able to run the football well, but he’s starting to become more mature, a more complete back,” Reed said.
Whitworth said their contribution has been essential to the team’s success this season, but there is not unnecessary pressure on the freshmen.
“Their contribution is huge,” Whitworth said. “We knew all year that they could come in and produce, and they have done a great job of it. They have to stay focused and keep producing. Those guys don’t have a whole lot of pressure on them because we want them to be successful and we understand they are young guys.”