LSU rushing attack finds answer in true freshman Caden Durham

After owning an elite rushing attack in 2023, LSU struggled on the ground the first two weeks of 2024. The Tigers ranked 127th nationally in rushing success rate after Week 2. That’s far below the standard of expectations with this offensive line.

It was costly in the USC game, putting pressure on the passing offense to carry the load. It hurt LSU in the red zone too.

LSU lacks a true feature back — it has for a few years. The last Tiger running back to cross the 1,000-yard threshold was when Tyrion Davis-Price ran for 1,003.

For a period, LSU having a 1,000-yard rusher in the backfield was nearly a guarantee. Minus the COVID season in 2020, LSU had a running back cross the century mark every year from 2013-21.

The ground game didn’t disappear, but with Jayden Daniels at QB, LSU didn’t rely on its running backs. Daniels ran for 2,019 yards in two years at LSU. Daniels gave LSU an efficiency and explosiveness that resulted in the nation’s most effective rushing attack.

Daniels’ legs raised the entire floor of the offense. Now without Daniels and without a bellcow at running back, there are questions about LSU’s run game.

And while the questions aren’t going away after week three, the performance from true freshman Caden Durham gave reason for optimism. Durham proved to be a playmaker in LSU’s 36-33 win over South Carolina.

He ran it 11 times for 98 yards, averaging 8.9 yards per pop. He forced seven missed tackles and 50 of those 98 yards came after contact.

LSU doesn’t win that game without Durham. It’s been some time since LSU’s got an impact performance like that from a running back.

LSU’s rushing attack has a spark it didn’t have before.

When asked about Durham, Kelly was slow to confirm anything about LSU’s approach moving forward.

“I think that’s yet to be determined,” Kelly said, “I don’t think we’re at the point where he’s going to be the guy…but he certainly did the things we were looking for.”

Kelly is probably right. Durham isn’t ready to be LSU’s feature back just yet, but he gives the offense more upside than anyone else in the room. LSU’s offense is looking for explosiveness — and Durham has it.

Again, he won’t solve every problem with LSU’s run game. The offensive line needs to play better and some schematics need to be addressed, but Durham has some of the answers to LSU’s ground game.

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