LSU Tops Syracuse Behind Fournette’s Big Game

Leonard Fournette became the first running back in LSU history to have back to back games of 200+ yards rushing, as the Tigers improved to 3-0 Saturday, topping the Syracuse Orange on the road by the score of 34-24.

Fournette rushed for a career-high 244 yards and a touchdown, as the #8 Tigers held off a feisty Orange team hungry for an upset.

In addition, he could've eclipsed 300 yards as he rushed for an 87 yard touchdown that was called back on an illegal formation penalty due a wide receiver not being lined up on the line of scrimmage.

"I think Leonard Fournette probably has another 120 yards if we're not penalized," explained LSU head coach Les Miles. "Any victory you earn, you have to fight for. We did that today."

LSU led from start to finish, by Syracuse cut it to a 1 score game several times, forcing the heavily favored Tigers to continue feeding Fournette the rock.

However, after a gang tackle in the 4th quarter where Fournette was hit in the groin area, he checked out of the game, leading way for quarterback Brandon Harris to orchestrate a drive with his arm, hitting Travin Dural on a deep route.

Several plays later, he hit Malachi Dupre in the end zone on fade route to help LSU seal the deal with less than ten minutes to play.

"He can play. He's making really good decisions now," said Miles of Harris. "(If) A couple of guys catch balls, probably a bigger day.

Drops. Penalties. Breakdowns. It was far from a crisp game for LSU.

"The significance of this day was as a team our football team won in a sloppy manner," said Miles. We were a very good football team today, characteristics of a dominant team, but we didn't dominate."

LSU will play another out of conference game next week, as they return to Baton Rouge to host Eastern Michigan out of the MAC.

Kickoff from Tiger Stadium next Saturday is set for 6:00.