LSU's winning recipe includes more than Leonard Fournette

BATON ROUGE — The English language does not have enough words to describe the breathtaking talent that is Leonard Fournette.

He's explosive, bursting through holes that swallow some of the sport's best running backs. He's relentless, as evidenced by his career-high 31 carries for 180 yards and two scores against Florida on Saturday night. And he's not afraid to get a little physical, throwing a punch or shove or whatever that was, instead of a stiff-arm, late in LSU's 35-28 win against the Gators.

Fournette is many things, which means the Tigers' offense is many things; but those many things all tend to involve Fournette. Their rushing attack is terrific, third best in the country. Their offensive line is hailed as one of the nation's best. And so their quarterback has been deemed a handoff specialist — at least, according to him. But that's no longer the case, if it ever even was.

Brandon Harris, the LSU sophomore, got worked up late Saturday night as he described the criticism levied against him and the LSU passing game. This narrative, Harris said, began with LSU's sloppy win against Eastern Michigan earlier this month. He completed just four of 14 passes for 80 yards in that one.

"I can't stand it," Harris said Saturday night, after he was 13-of-19 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. "I can't stand it. I play with a chip on my shoulder every single week. I say this over and over again, and I say this real humbly: This team knows how talented we are passing the ball; everybody knows what I can do throwing the football. …

"It really hurts when people say all we have is a running game, this and that. That's so much motivation. Keep saying that. Keep doubting me. I love it."

Harris said he knows opponents will try whatever they can to stop Fournette, theHeisman Trophy favorite, and that makes perfect sense to him. "They'll put nine in the box," Harris said. "I'll say, 'Thank you,' and take advantage of it."

LSU coach Les Miles chuckled when he heard Harris's comments. Particularly the idea that Harris has something to prove to anyone.