Leonard Fournette Powers LSU To 56-27 Win Over Texas Tech

LSU running back Leonard Fournette was named an All-American this season and, after Tuesday night, it’s easy to see why. He scored for five touchdowns and over 200 yards as the Tigers trounced the Texas Tech Red Raiders 56-27 in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

“This is a night that Leonard Fournette would have again and again and again,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “I wouldn’t call it routine because he is not a routine runner; he’s a special back. But we would expect him to have nights like this. He’s fast and strong and capable.” His performance set up a complete offensive showing, with the Tigers racking up over 600 total yards on the night.

Fournette himself was a little more subdued, though. “I would say the night was productive,” he said. His five touchdowns (four rushing  and one receiving) tied a school record for the most touchdowns in a bowl game.

The reception was unusual for him; catching the ball isn’t something he’s exactly comfortable doing. “I like running the ball; I don’t like catching,” he explained.

On the Texas Tech side of things, quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for an impressive 370 yards and four touchdowns; the Red Raiders defense, however, just couldn’t get the stops. That put pressure on Mahomes to make things happen, which kept him under pressure all night.

“I knew it would be a challenge, particularly when we had to go into throwing mode every play,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “It’s a good front. It’s a good defense.”

Photo:Leonard Fournette #7 of the LSU Tigers poses on stage after the Tigers beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 56-27 during the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 29, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski