LSU, Fournette Magnificent in Blowout Win Over Texas Tech
By Scotty Nola
Behind the magnificent performance of sophomore RB Leonard Fournette, the LSU Tigers football team finished 2015 on a high note, with a 56-27 blow-out win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12 in the Adovocare V100 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston.
With the win, the Tigers finished at 9-3 for the 2015 season. The Red Raiders finished at 7-6.
Fournette ran for 212 yards on 29 carries, a 7.3 yard average.
He added a reception for 44 yards and accounted for five — count’em — 5 LSU touchdowns.
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) catches the ball and runs for a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
However, there were a lot of heroes for the Tigers’ Texas-style rodeo ride, besides Fournette.
QB Brandon Harris shook off a bad late season run and a slow start to put up one of his best games in an LSU uniform. Harris got it done with his feet and his arm.
Derrius Guice did not get a lot of carries but made up for it with some special teams heroics. Malachi Dupre announced to the world that he is the next great LSU receiver. Really the next great SEC receiver, Dupre is in the Odell Beckham Jr. AJ Green Julio Jones talent bracket.
Some less utilized players came through big in the bowl game for LSU. DJ Chark had a 79 yard run for a touchdown on an end around in the first half.
John Diarse was finally able to show off his skills after a streak of low production.
The defense showed up as well. A lot of the talk leading up to the game was about the dangerous Red Raider offense and their ability to put up points.
The Red Raiders did score some points, mainly because of the scrambling ability of their QB and some great plays by their skill players.
Yexas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes had to make things happen with his feet. The Tigers defense was in his backfield all night. Four Tigers combined for six sacks in the game, with Davon Godchaux and Kendell Beckwith accounting for two each.
Rickey Jefferson killed a Texas Tech drive with an interception on the goal line, and Jamal Adams had some signature plays of his own.
There were plenty of big plays and plenty of game balls to go around, but the Texas Bowl was “The Leonard Fournette Show”.
As we previously mentioned above, Fournette ran for 212 yards on 29 carries, a 7.3 yard average. He added a reception for 44 yards and accounted for 5 LSU touchdowns; in what can only be described as a brilliant performance.
It was the performance Fournette needed to have in order to remind people he is the greatest running back in the nation, and the hands down favorite for next year’s Heisman.
This was also a performance the team needed. This was a long season with more turbulence than a young team needs to face.
Between heartbreaking losses and the circus like atmosphere AD Joe Alleva clumsily allowed around the questions of Les Miles’ job security; this talented young team has been through the proverbial ringer.
Against Texas Tech, they were able to end their season on a positive note — a celebration of a walkaway win against a Power 5 conference opponent.
This was the first step in building towards the 2016 season, one that will start with Playoff / National Championship and Heisman expectations……….