After Leonard Fournette and LSU football started the 2015 season scalding hot, the team and their star running back cooled considerably down the stretch. You can’t blame it on Fournette, however.
First let me just say it is an absolute shame that Leonard Fournette was not invited to the Heisman ceremonies in 2015. The man carried LSU football to 9 wins in 2015 by himself. For him to do that from the running back position is absolutely ridiculous.
Yes. He was shut down against Alabama. He went for 31 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. But let’s be honest. Is there another running back in America that could have even done that much against Alabama’s front 7? Before you say yes and pull numbers, remember that Brandon Harris completed less than a third of his passes in that game. As in he completed 6 passes the entire night
Six.
6.
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That’s it.
I guess I should change my question. Could any other back in America gain 31 yards and a touchdown against Alabama’s entire defense?
So let’s not just pick single games from 2014. Let’s look at Fournette’s statistical 2015 instead, while keeping in mind he played at least one less game than almost every running back in America.
Fournette rushed for 1,953 yards while averaging 6.5 yards a carry. That, obviously, includes games against the entire SEC West — home to some of the stingiest run defenses in the country. He also added 22 rushing touchdowns. Had their season opener against McNeese State not been canceled, I feel confident in saying he would have reached 2,000 yards and at least 24 rushing touchdowns. Fournette also contributed 19 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown to LSU football in 2015.
Leonard Fournette was LSU football in 2015. It goes without saying that I mean LSU football as in their offense. LSU’s defense was solid in 2015.
Let’s consider what was supposed to be Fournette’s counterpart offensively for LSU football: the passing attack. I have to keep this brief or I’m just going to get irritated.
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LSU quarterback Brandon Harris barely completed half his passes on the season and threw for only 13 touchdowns. The guy completed 4 of 14 passes against EASTER FREAKING MICHIGAN.
No wonder the game was closer than many expected. How can you expect for an SEC team to win NINE games with a quarterback that completes less than a third of his passes against EASTERN FREAKING MICHIGAN (no disrespect but c’mon man!).
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We as SEC football fans should take a second and realize just how good Leonard Fournette is and was in 2015.
LSU football fans owe
Les Miles owes his job to Leonard Fournette.