Injuries on Offense Mounting for LSU Potentially Slowing RB Leonard Fournette
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The runaway freight train coming out of Baton Rouge bowling over and running away from defenders in 2015 is sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. The 6’1”, 230 pound, early Heisman Trophy Award candidate is leading the country in rushing yards with 1,202 despite playing in just six games while most of his peers have already competed in seven.
Fournette is a rare physical specimen on track to break the SEC single-season rushing record set by Herschel Walker but his path towards football immortality is starting to become increasingly difficult with the loss of key blockers helping blow open running lanes ahead of him.
The first change in personnel occurred after the South Carolina game (Oct. 10) when sophomore John David “JD” Moore suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury expected to keep him out of action for 3-4 weeks.
The latest setback for LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to deal with is the loss of tight end Dillon Gordon. The senior suffered a left Achilles injuring while catching a short pass early in last week’s game against Florida. Gordon is more of a tackle than a tight end listed at 6’4”, 305-310 pounds.
The loss of Moore and Dillon cannot be understated for LSU. The Tigers run a lot of two-tight end sets and I-back formations that utilizes the fullback. Gordon is a rare breed in a big man that is athletic enough to move in space to help block in the run game and be utilized in the pass attack. Dillon’s replacements are Colin Jeter (6’6”, 236), a junior, and Foster Moreau (6’5”, 237), a true freshman. Neither tight end has the weight behind him that Dillon brings to the blocking game.
Moore’s replacements have been true freshmen Bry’Keithon Mouton and David Ducre’.
The good news for LSU Tiger fans, offensive linemen Ethan Pocic and Vadal Alexander are healthy and dominating. The Tigers have played six games and between the two linemen they have notched four SEC Offensive Linemen of the Week Honors. The other positive is Fournette rushed for 180 yards on 31 carries with two scores against a tough Florida run defense.
The next bit of news is a mix, this week’s matchup against Western Kentucky should not be a tough matchup for the nation’s No. 4 running attack, averaging 326 yards per game. The Hilltoppers have the nation’s No. 76 ranked rush defense allowing an average of 173 yards per game. The trouble comes after the Tigers’ Halloween bye week when traveling to face Alabama, boasting the nation’s No. 3 rush defense only allowing 71 yards per game.
LSU kicks off against Western Kentucky on Saturday night in Death Valley at 7:00 p.m. ET with ESPNU providing the game coverage.
Photo credit: nola.com; No. 85 Dillon Gordon guided off after injury during Florida game.