LSU finds rare diversity in its running game

NEW ORLEANS -- The big mystery in every LSU game isn't whether the Tigers will rush for 200 yards or more. It's how they will do it.

Any of seven players of varying size, running style and speed could carry the ball on any given play.

Matt Flynn has his share of designed quarterback runs. Change-of-pace backup QB Ryan Perrilloux loves the option.

Then there are the five running backs who all expect to see action when LSU lines up against Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game on Monday night.

"You very seldom see a team that has five tailbacks," Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said.

LSU's "stable of running backs," as they're sometimes called, includes senior Jacob Hester; sophomores Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Trindon Holliday; and freshman Richard Murphy.

Hester, a tough and heady runner who always follows his blocks and never seems to go down on the first hit, was the leader statistically this season, gaining 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns, 11 on rushes.

Williams, who had some of his best runs going wide on options or pitchouts, was second in yards rushing with 458 on 69 carries.

At 5-foot-5, 160 pounds, Holliday looks too small to play with these guys, but during track he ran the 100 meters in a school-record 10.02 seconds and might be the fastest player in college football. LSU likes to give Holliday carries when opposing defenses appear winded and he's responded with 351 yards on 50 carries.

Scott is both fast and strong. He also is a good blocker, particularly on quarterback runs. He gained 318 yards on 43 carries, an average of 7.4 yards per run.

Murphy, the least experienced, also had the fewest carries, 33, for 197 yards this season. Still, that's an average of 6 yards per carry.

Combined with Flynn' 207 rushing yards and Perrilloux's 203 -- not to mention runs by receivers on reverses and end-arounds -- LSU had 2,846 rushing yards, an average of 218.9 yards per game.

"They have a lot of talented running backs and it presents a huge challenge to this defense and something we have to prepare for," Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman said.