COLUMBIA, S.C. – Without starting running backs Joseph Addai and Shyrone Carey – both out with knee injuries, the LSU football team was forced to depend on a pair of true freshmen to guide the way to victory.
Any questions about their ability to contribute were answered in a matter of minutes.
Justin Vincent totaled 123 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns while Alley Broussard rushed for a game-high 108 yards, leading the Tigers to a 33-7 road win against South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium.
“We talked to them all week about playing in this big game and told them they had to keep their heads up,” said LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. “They took control of the ball and did a great job.”
The Tigers dominated both sides of the ball the entire game. One week removed from a 56-yard rushing performance, the offensive line surged through the Gamecock defense and paved the way for the talented young backs, as the Tigers outgained the Gamecocks 263-0 on the ground.
“We made some great holes tonight, and [the freshmen running backs] hit the holes hard,” said LSU offensive guard Stephen Peterman.
LSU coach Nick Saban said the offensive line was dominant.
“The offensive line did the best job of the year today,” Saban said. “They were the most physical and played the best from start to finish.”
Entering the game, Vincent had a total of 132 yards on 30 carries, while Broussard had eight yards on 11 carries and three fumbles.
But in this game, both freshmen – which under Nick Saban are not allowed to talk to the media – to put on a show.
On LSU’s third play from scrimmage, Vincent got his first carry of the night and hopped and shook his way for an 11-yard gain. Two plays later, Broussard got his first carry on third-and-two. He found the hole and sprinted down the sideline, bulldozed his way over a defender and picked up 33 yards.
“Vincent has a lot of good moves, and Broussard, it’s hard to bring him down,” said LSU center Ben Wilkerson. “I was real impressed with them. They have a lot of confidence.”
In last week’s 19-7 loss to Florida, the Tigers’ offensive line committed many penalities, forcing the offense to abandon the running game.
This week was a different story. The offensive line was in command of the line of scrimmage all night, as LSU controlled more than 41 minutes of the clock, limiting the Gamecocks to just more than 18 minutes of time.
“We had it set in our minds that we wanted to come out and reestablish our identity as an offensive line,” Wilkerson said. “I’m very proud of the way we played, and I think we did establish our identity as a powerful offensive line.”
The success LSU had running the ball opened up the offense, allowing quarterback Matt Mauck to sit back and find open receivers all night.
Mauck completed 24-of-30 passes for 199 yards and connected with Devery Henderson and Eric Edwards for touchdowns.
On their second drive of the game, the Tigers manufactured a 21-play, 97-yard scoring drive that spanned 9:37 and gave the team a 13-0 lead.
When asked if he sees many 21-play drives, Saban responded, “No. But I love them.”
The next time the Tigers touched the ball, they produced a 14-play, 91-yard scoring drive, which ate up 5:51 and put them ahead 19-0 in the first half.
“I’m very disappointed in our defense in the first half,” said South Carolina coach Lou Holtz. “We looked like a deer in the headlights.”
Saban said the freshman played outstanding and also said Carey might be back for next week’s game against Auburn, which will give LSU a nice change of pace and more diversity in the backfield.
Mauck said the depth in the backfield can only help the Tigers.
“It’s going to get interesting,” Mauck said about the crowded and talented LSU backfield. “It’s always good to have depth, and that’s what we have at the running back position.”