On Sunday night, Justin Vincent sat in the LSU film room to review his performance in the Arkansas game.
As he fumbled through films, the junior running back came across the 2003 Southeastern Conference championship game, reminding him of one of the top moments in LSU football history.
“It was my second time to look at it,” Vincent said. “I was just looking at it, and it was just a weird feeling that it was happening to me. After thinking about what I went through in 2004, it was just a weird feeling.”
Vincent was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after rushing for 201 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown run. A month later, Vincent gained 117 yards in the National Championship for another MVP honor.
The end of the 2003 season marked the first national title in 45 years, but it also was the beginning of a long drought for Vincent.
Vincent rushed more in the two single title games than he did in the entire 2004 season. After 76 yards in 322 carries in the regular season, Vincent did not have one reception or carry in the Capital One Bowl.
“I kind of blank out 2004,” Vincent said. “2004 is not a part of me. That was just something that somebody goes through. I just see myself as a player who has had some rough times and is moving on. I feel like I’m getting out of that funk.”
Vincent has spent the 2005 season creeping back into the spotlight, although it is still not like his freshman season. In the regular season, he has accumulated 467 yards on 111 attempts including a season-best 26-yard run against Alabama. After five touchdowns, Vincent said his patience finally has paid off.
“You have to tell yourself [to be patient] in any kind of situation where you’re being as successful as you should be,” Vincent said. “When you’re not getting those opportunities you have to, always say the grass is going to be greener on the other side.”
In the Georgia Dome this weekend, the astroturf grass may not be greener, but it has proven to be an advantage to Vincent’s type of running.
“He’s a shifty back, and that’s his aspect,” said senior offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth. “I think that will be good for him. It’s good to see him getting another chance. He gets to go back to a place this Saturday night that he played a pretty good ballgame the last time we played there.”
Although coach Les Miles was not on the LSU sidelines in 2003, he said he knows that Vincent and other backs benefit from the surface in Georgia.
“I think that surface will speak to Justin Vincent – maybe Shyrone Carey. I think those things are a nice comfort for a player who has had experience on that turf. I think it’s something our guys are looking forward to.”
Vincent described the last visit to the SEC Championship game as a surreal experience.
“It didn’t hit me until we got back,” Vincent said. “It was so quick I didn’t even hear them say that I was MVP. Actually JaMarcus [Russell] was the one to run up and told me.”
While Vincent admits returning to Atlanta will give him butterflies and an “eerie” feeling, the individual spotlight is not his focus.
“I’m just looking for a time and a place where our offense can put together a show for everybody and play like we know how to play,” Vincent said. “We haven’t played our best game yet, and hopefully this will be our best game. Whenever we do, everybody will know.”