McElwain’s scouting report on LSU running game: ‘Wow, you know?’

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As if Florida needed another reminder to be concerned about LSU’s running game, the Tigers provided one last Saturday.

They ran for 418 yards against Missouri — without Leonard Fournette.

On paper, stopping the run game once looked worrisome for Florida. In the past two weeks, the Gators have given up 326 rushing yards to Tennessee and Vanderbilt, primarily Joshua Dobbs, Jalen Hurd and Ralph Webb.

Those numbers likely have Fournette hoping he can play. It’s a game he tends to dominate. The junior running back had his breakout game against Florida in 2014 (27 carries, 140 yards, 2 TD) and gashed the Gators again last year (31 carries, 180 yards, 2 TD).

Fournette, however, is considered doubtful for Saturday.

“I don’t believe that Leonard’s going to play. We don’t know yet. He hasn’t practiced yet,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said on Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference.

With Fournette’s status in doubt, the Gators’ defense is shifting its attention to Derrius Guice. LSU’s offense had no problems with Fournette’s backup handling the primary ball-carrying duties last week against Missouri, as Guice logged 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 17 carries.

When Florida coach Jim McElwain was asked for his thoughts on Guice (above), he had the response most people had watching the 5-foot-11, 212-pound running back run wild against Mizzou:

“Wow, you know?” McElwain said before pointing to LSU’s recent recruiting.

“But look, they’ve got great players, and it doesn’t matter what position. And obviously their ability not only to get big guys, but obviously skill players, there’s no secret that they’ve got it covered.”

Preventing others from saying “wow” watching Guice should be all the motivation the Florida defense needs. The sophomore from Baton Rouge will certainly be motivated in his first trip to Gainesville.

At a recent media opportunity, Guice, the No. 5 running back of the 2015 class, was asked if he had visited The Swamp on a recruiting visit. He kept his answer short, but certainly not sweet.

“I did not. I don’t like them,” Guice told reporters.

One thing thing both sides can agree on: It’s personal between the Tigers and Gators.

“I think what’s different for us is that most of the guys on the team haven’t beat LSU yet,” Quincy Wilson said. “There’s only a few guys like Marcus Maye and (Bryan) Cox that have beaten LSU. It’s just a different vibe and the whole DBU thing. I feel like it’s more of a personal game, but at the same time it’s just the next game. It’s the biggest game because it’s the next game.”

Containing the Tigers’ ground game will be key to Wilson and the rest of his younger teammates potentially getting their first win against LSU . Wilson knows for that it will take a true team effort.

“They like to say DBs don’t like to tackle but we just got to get our face in there and wait for other guys to come in,” Wilson said.

They’ll certainly have plenty of opportunities. LSU ran it 52 times last week against Missouri. Darrel Williams, who had four carries through the first four games, added 130 yards on 21 carries.

Did you know?

While Fournette might have been a decent bet to crack 200 yards, the Gators haven’t allowed many running backs to do that. Here’s a look:

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.