Justin Vincent’s career did not exactly get off to what one would call a hopeful start.
The Parade All-American out of Barbe High School in Lake Charles did not qualify academically for the 2002 season, and when he was finally able to qualify for the 2003 spring semester, he tried his luck at defensive back during spring football.
Going into the 2003 season, he was moved back to running back, but buried on the depth chart behind veteran runners Joseph Addai and Shyrone Carey.
Due to injuries midway through the season to Addai and Carey, Vincent saw an opportunity and pounced on it.
After receiving his most extensive playing time of the season in the seventh game of the season against South Carolina, Vincent reeled off five 100-yard performances in just seven games and finished with 10 touchdowns.
And he performed best in big games.
Against Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, Vincent rushed the ball 18 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. He had runs of 87 and 62 yards in that game to help lead LSU to a 34-13 win.
In the Sugar Bowl, Vincent rushed for 117 yards on 16 carries with one score, and was also named that game’s MVP. On the first play from scrimmage, Vincent jaunted for 64 yards before being chased down from behind by OU All-American Derrick Strait.
He later scored on an 18-yard touchdown – a run that got Vincent on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“It was basically a zone play,” Vincent said of the run. “I jumped back and there was nothing but wide open grass and the rest was history.”
Vincent said he’s had support from the other LSU running backs all season.
“I’m very fortunate with the support of my team to do the things that I do,” Vincent said after LSU’s national championship win in the Sugar Bowl. “It comes to a total team effort. Everybody’s always patting me on the back. A lot of people think Shyrone [Carey] and Joseph [Addai] would be down on me, but they’re great guys who have a lot of support for me.”
Vincent said he was surprised to hear he won the Sugar Bowl MVP, especially since he was held to minus one yard in the second half and with the superb play of the Tigers’ defense.
“I was real surprised I won it,” Vincent said. “I heard them say my name but I wasn’t quite sure.”
Vincent said accolades and all other things aside, the national championship is the only thing that matters to him and his teammates.
“Me and some of the other guys said we’d give it all up if we could just dominate this game,” Vincent said. “I didn’t care if I only had three yards, I just wanted to win.”
When asked after the Sugar Bowl if he could have scripted a better ending, with a guy from Lake Charles can go from watching LSU in the stands a year ago to game MVP, Vincent answered honestly.
“No, I couldn’t have done that – [made] a better ending for anybody,” Vincent said. “It’s kind of a fantasy world I’m lvng in with so much happening so fast. I’m tryng to take the time to adjust to everything that’s going on.
Vincent runs wild in championship victories
January 20, 2004