LSU running back Joseph Addai has been the biggest contributor of the LSU offense this season, but that was not the case Saturday night.
With Addai hobbled by an injury, the Tigers’ reserve running backs received extra playing time in the team’s 56-3 win over North Texas.
According to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, a strong rushing game compliments other aspects of the offense.
“We can throw the ball and run the ball,” Bowe said. “It’s great to have a 50-50 offense.”
Averaging 92.7 yards with seven touchdowns, it has been Addai who has been the team’s catalyst in offensive consistency. Yet two other running backs have also contributed.
Justin Vincent and Shyrone Carey, both of whom bring their own style of running, which benefit the offense in a number of different ways, said Carey.
According to Carey, having to prepare for three different styles of attack from LSU’s tailbacks is not an easy task for opposing teams.
“It’s tough to prepare for that,” Carey said. “With three different running styles, it makes it tough to focus on what could happen.”
As a team, LSU is averaging 159.9 yards, which ranks No. 4 in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers exhibited their balanced offense against North Texas, rushing the ball 36 times and throwing the ball 28 times, totaling 566 yards of offense.
Addai rushed the ball just three times for seven yards and a touchdown for the win primarily because of a sore ankle.
“[Addai] had some contact on his second carry,” Coach Les Miles said. “We wanted to establish Justin Vincent and Shyrone Carey. It was right for the team.”
Bowe said with LSU’s rushing game getting stronger, defenses tend to load the defensive line in order to stop the run.
“We’ve got great receivers,” Bowe said. “So the more they put in the box, the more we’ll be able to pass the ball.”
Accordingly, the LSU offense ranks No. 2 in the conference in passing at 245.4 yards.
Carey said LSU’s receivers are good enough to take advantage of many one-on-one matchups brought on by loading eight men in the box.
“Every time there’s a one-on-one advantage, our wide receivers are going to win,” Carey said. “Our receivers are just that good.”
With a total of 183 yards on the ground against North Texas, it appeared as though the rushing game did open the LSU offense for quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
Russell finished the game going 17 of 21 for 244 yards.
A total of 12 different receivers caught a pass, including junior Craig Davis. Davis caught five passes for 97 yards, while Bowe and senior Skyler Green both had three catches.
 
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