With four minutes and 45 seconds left in the first quarter of LSU’s football game against South Alabama, a freshman running back from Oklahoma City scored LSU’s third touchdown of the game.
The stadium erupted with fans cheering him on. But after an offensive lineman fell on his foot, he couldn’t hide the pain.
As freshman running back Caden Durham limped off the field, LSU’s stadium went quiet as they watched their new star enter the injury tent.
Durham capped off a remarkable first half with a total of 217 yards – 128 rushing yards on just seven carries and 89 receiving yards from three catches. Following his explosive performance, he remained on the sidelines for the remainder of the game.
In just one half, Durham accumulated more rushing yards than any other LSU player had gained in an entire game throughout the season.
LSU’s running game has been one of its Achilles’ heels throughout the 2024 season. Before Durham’s performance against South Alabama, the most rushing yards achieved by a different LSU running back was 62 yards on 13 carries by Josh Williams.
LSU didn’t plan for this to be a weakness. In fact, the Tigers anticipated that this would be a strength. With four returning offensive linemen, running backs were expected to easily gain yards and break tackles.
Ironically, it was their passing game, which had lost a quarterback and two wide receivers to the NFL, that kept them afloat.
“We have to be more efficient with our running game,” Kelly said in a press conference following LSU’s season opener against USC. “We didn’t execute at the level we’re capable of executing.”
The Tigers started the season with sixth-year senior John Emery Jr. leading the way against USC, but after suffering a torn ACL at practice, he was declared out for the season.
With Emery gone, the Tigers were forced to look in other places for rushing production. And Durham stepped up to the plate.
Durham didn’t see the field in LSU’s game against USC. He didn’t find his footing until the Tigers traveled to Columbia to play South Carolina. There, he led the Tigers in rushing yards with 98 on 11 carries.
Durham provided the Tigers with a possible answer to their prayers. With an experienced offensive line, he showed potential of what LSU’s running game could be, despite his youth as a true freshman.
“He’s made it happen,” Kelly said. “And he’s earned it through an opportunity that was given to him.”
With LSU being on a bye week, Kelly didn’t want to reveal too much in his weekly press conference, but he seemed hopeful that Durham would be back on the field against Ole Miss.
Durham’s performance showed consistency and progress. He gave the Tigers hope after Emery’s injury and lifted some of the weight off of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s shoulders.
Durham has shown promise in the past few games, and it might just be the key to success for the Tigers. After a dominant performance against South Alabama, Durham and the rest of the Tigers will face a true test against Ole Miss.
