LSU Beats Auburn Behind Dominant Fournette
By Scotty Nola
Who are we kidding, LSU fans didn’t pack the house in the brutal heat today just to see the Tigers beat Auburn.
The fans were walking in looking to see the next episode of the Leonard Fournette show, and Fournette did not disappoint.
On the first play from scrimmage Fournette broke through the line and ran the ball 71 yards to the Auburn 4 yard line. 3 plays later, Brandon Harris walked it in for the first score of the game.
You can’t give Fournette all the credit on that great first play though. True Freshman Guard Will Clapp showed up to play today.
Clapp exploded from the line at the snap and moved right, blowing one Auburn defender out of the hole before turning left and blowing another Auburn defender out.
By the time Fournette had the ball in his hands Clapp had opened a hole big enough to drive a truck through. With LF7’s speed the rest of the run was almost unfair.
Auburn had their first chance on offense wrecked with a signature Jamal Adams hit for an 18 yard loss.
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That play pushed them into a third and long followed by a punt.
Fournette was involved in the second drive but Brandon Harris was the star. He converted a 3rd and 3 play for 27 yards, backing Auburn up against their end zone.
The running lane opened up when Auburn bit hard on a pass route run by speedy TE DeSean Smith and left the right side wide open.
Harris then completed a 1 yard pass to Tight End Colin Jeter for the second LSU touchdown. Seeing the Tight Ends involved is a good sign, that’s an area that was sorely lacking in the passing game last year.
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back Donte Jackson (1) and safety Jamal Adams (33) react to a near interception against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
With Auburn back on offense as the second quarter started Jamal Adams started to really make his presence felt. He made a huge hit on Auburn’s Fullback to break up a pass. Two plays later he grabbed an interception to kill the drive.
Brandon Harris had some rough moments on LSU’s third drive of the game. He threw a really bad pass at TE Colin Jeter, walking Jeter right into a huge hit from the safety that left him laying on the ground gasping for breath.
Harris followed this up by throwing two really bad incompletions in the end zone, missing a wide open Travin Dural on both plays. LSU settled for a field goal on this drive.
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
When Auburn got the ball back they needed a score to get back in the game but another big LSU play in the backfield, this time by Davon Godchaux led to a third and long situation and a punt.
The punt dropped LSU into the shadow of their own end zone but another big Brandon Harris run converted a third down and put the Tigers at mid field with a chance to score again before halftime.
Another big Leonard Fournette run for 44 yards put the Tigers up 24-0 before halftime.
The second half opened with the teams trading punches. When Tashawn Bower got his first sack of the year it looked like another big play by the LSU defense would lead to a third and long followed by a punt.
Instead Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson broke through the line and ran 65 yards for Auburns first score of the game.
LSU was able to answer back quickly. Fournette and Guice traded punches with the Auburn front seven on this drive before Fournette scored again, this time on a 29 yard run highlighted with Fournette flipping an Auburn defender over his back on the way to the end zone.
At this point LSU was up 38-7 deep in the second half and the game was essentially decided. LSU’s defense backed off a bit, taking some chances trying for big plays and gave up two late Auburn scores.
LSU slowed down some on offense, giving freshman Running Back’s Derrius Guice and Nic Brossette most of the carries late. Part of this was by design, part because of an injury scare involving Fournette late in the third quarter.
Fournette was resting on the sideline when coaches called his number for a short run from inside the Auburn 5 yard line.
Fournette leaped over the top but banged his knee against the helmet of an Auburn defneder. He grabbed his knee and limped towards the sideline, a scary moment for LSU fans.
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
What followed was even scarier, as Fournette dropped to the ground in obvious pain with several members of the Tigers training staff looking him over.
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The trainers did a stability check on Fournette’s knee, important because it confirmed their was no ligament damage. The diagnoses was a bruise form the helmet contact, and Fournette got on a stationary bike to stay loose.
He wasn’t expected back in the game at all but Fournette did take the field on a kick return. He didn’t touch the ball, but seeing him out there dispelled any ideas that he might have an injury that will force him to miss time.
One player who likely will miss time is Senior LB Deion Jones. Jones had a late hit on Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson and was called for targeting because he went in high and initiated helmet to helmet contact.
Jones was removed from the contest, and he will miss the first half of next week’s Syracuse game.
Jones hurt himself more than anyone with this move. He was part of a close battle for the outside LB positions during camp and losing a start to one of LSU’s talented backups doesn’t work in his favor.
All in all outside of the scary moment with Fournette the game was everything the LSU faithful could have asked for.
Brandon Harris didn’t put up a large yardage total, which is still a concern. He did manage to complete passes to 8 different LSU players, and he made some big plays with his feet to keep two scoring drives going in the first half.
Fournette was amazing. His final totals were 19 rushes for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 12 yards per carry average against a tough SEC defense was great. Equally impressive was seeing him break a long run for 71 yards.
A Heisman campaign is made up of big yardage totals, long runs, signature plays and top performances against ranked opponents in televised games. Fournette got it all done today, and on a big stage.
The Heisman whispers have become shouts, and right now Fournette is the lead dog for the most prestigious individual award in college athletics.
As for the team, they are undefeated, in first place in the SEC, headed for a top 10 ranking and looking at a somewhat easier stretch on the schedule.
This week LSU beat Auburn. Next week, Syracuse…….
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles and players celebrate following a win against the Auburn Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Auburn 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports