LSU had a 1,000-yard rusher at QB last year with Heisman winner [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] under center. With [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] taking over, LSU’s rushing attack took a different approach against USC.
The results were mixed, at best. LSU finished the game with -0.22 EPA/rush, which ranks in the 15th percentile. From an EPA perspective, only one explosive play was generated on the ground.
That’s an adjustment from 2023 when LSU finished the year with 29 runs of 20+ yards.
But it wasn’t just a lack of explosiveness that stuck out on Sunday night. LSU wasn’t efficient either. LSU’s success rate on the ground was 27%, far below where LSU expects to be.
Only 38% of LSU’s runs went for four yards or more, 10 points below USC’s mark of 48%. LSU’s two starting backs, [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], both averaged under four yards per play.
No matter how you slice it, LSU struggled to run the ball. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was asked about it after the game and said LSU has bigger issues.
“We could sit here and we could go and look at a million different things, but we had over 400 yards in total offense,” Kelly said. “We weren’t able to put the ball in the end zone when we really needed too. This is much more about being a better and efficient offense in the red zone than it is the failings of the inability to run.”
Kelly said LSU ran the ball to set up everything else it needed to do.
“Do I want to run the ball better? Absolutely, there’s no doubt. I think our execution needs to get better. Having said that, I think we ran the ball well enough to win this game,” Kelly said.
Kelly has a point, but LSU could have improved its chances of scoring with a better rushing attack.
On the opening drive, LSU ran the ball on first and goal for a loss of one. The next drive, LSU was forced to punt after a series that featured two more stuffed runs.
The final drive, when LSU needed a touchdown to take the lead, LSU ran it three times for an average of 1.6 yards. The Tigers were forced to settle for a field goal.
LSU’s schedule lightens up for a moment, but the Tigers need to figure out the run game before SEC play begins.
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