Did LSU Find Their Starting Running Back in a True Freshman?

The LSU Tigers shocked some in the college football world when they beat South Carolina 36-33 in Columbia, South Carolina last weekend. Even though LSU was still favored by the gambling world, a lot of people thought all of the momentum was on the side of the Gamecocks.

Afterall, LSU had lost their opening game against USC, they had some struggles against Nicholls, and maybe the most important issue...they had lost their starting running back to a season ending injury.

LSU couldn't get the win back against USC. They did end up beating Nicholls, and now they may have found their new starting running back.

In the win against South Carolina, true freshman running back Caden Durham broke out for 98 yards and two touchdowns. One of those being a 26 yard touchdown in the second quarter, a score that really felt like it gave confidence to an offense that had been struggling.

It wasn't just the production that Durham was producing, it was the way he did it. According to Pro Football Focus, Durham broke 7 tackles and gained 50 yards after contact. Meaning over half the yards he produced came after contact with defensive players. That is something that's very important in SEC football, with the physical nature of defenses around the league.

Just a couple weeks ago, LSU lost their starting running back, 6th-year-senior John Emery to a season ending ACL injury.

If Durham is going to be the solution to the running back void for LSU, the team will be snapping from a 6th-year-senior to a true freshman. A very big swing in personnel, but maybe exactly what the team needs.