Media huddled around LSU redshirt freshman running back Michael Ford following the Tigers’ 32-10 victory against McNeese State on Saturday.
 
Sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard then grabbed everyone’s attention when he called Ford “the best running back in the [Southeastern Conference].”
 
Ford laughed and shrugged off Shepard’s proclamation, but his 86-yard, two-touchdown performance may be the statement game many have been expecting since he first donned purple and gold.
 
“Michael Ford’s something special,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “I think we’re getting him into a position where he can play. We need some more backs to help [junior running back Stevan] Ridley carry the load.”
 
Miles limited Ridley’s carries against the Cowboys, and his 15 rushing attempts marked his lowest total of the season. Miles instead handed the running game to Ford and true freshman running back Spencer Ware, and the two young backs ran with the opportunity.
 
Ware added 31 yards on five carries to Ford’s contribution, and both backs averaged more than 6 yards per attempt. Their strong performances made up a significant portion of an offense that amassed just 282 total yards against the Cowboys.
 
“I feel like the coaches really have confidence in those guys,” said junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson. “They’re young guys that came in the game and did a great job for us. We’re going to expect a lot from those guys later on in the season.”
 
The game got off to a shaky start for both backs. On only the fourth play of the game, Ford mishandled a pitch from Jefferson, resulting in a 9-yard loss. Early in the second quarter, a punt bounced off Ware’s leg and was recovered by McNeese State sophomore cornerback Ford Smesny. The ensuing drive culminated in a Cowboys field goal.
 
Both Ford and Ware bounced back. Halfway through the third quarter, Ford found the end zone for the first time in his LSU career with a 6-yard touchdown run. One score wasn’t enough for Ford, however. The Leesville native scampered for a 36-yard touchdown in the game’s final two minutes.  
 
“I really didn’t know that I had a chance to score,” Ford said. “I just go out there and run hard, and whatever happens, happens. The first [touchdown] was very great. It was very shocking. My first touchdown was in Tiger Stadium, so that was a memorable play right there.”
 
Ford first started getting significant attention following a 139-yard performance March 27 in the Spring Game. Following that game, many projected him to get the bulk of the carries behind Ridley and senior running back Richard Murphy.
 
But those high expectations never amounted to actual playing time before Saturday. Ford had only totaled 46 yards on seven carries in the Tigers’ first six contests, but the redshirt freshman never let the lack of playing time frustrate him.
 
“Just being a young guy, you have to wait your time,” Ford said. “Ridley and Murphy have paid their dues. Ridley’s having a great year, so I can’t complain. I just need to make the best of when I get in.”
 
Ford and Ware join Ridley, Murphy and true freshman Alfred Blue, who missed the game with an injury, in a backfield that averages 188.3 rushing yards per game. Jefferson said the number of quality running backs in the LSU backfield could cause problems for No. 4 Auburn when the two sides square off next week.
 
“Coming off of this game, we can put any one of the running backs in,” Jefferson said. “That just gives Auburn a whole other thing to look at. It’s not just Ridley or Murphy.”
 
 
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]