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re: Who is the best running back in LSU history?
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:35 am to Bootycall
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:35 am to Bootycall
The question should be limited to modern era backs. But there was a guy named Steve Van Buren back in the forties who led the nation in touchdowns and maybe yardage, who went on to the pro football hall of fame with the Eagles. Supposedly wouldn't let him practice with the team because he tended to hurt people.
From the iron man days of the late fifties, Billy Cannon stands out. Had to play both ways and was a star on defense, too.
Modern era, I'd go with Faulk, but Cecil Collins would have probably have been great if he had not been such an idiot.
From the iron man days of the late fifties, Billy Cannon stands out. Had to play both ways and was a star on defense, too.
Modern era, I'd go with Faulk, but Cecil Collins would have probably have been great if he had not been such an idiot.
1
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:43 am to dinosaur
Hillard -IMO
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:53 am to Bootycall
quote:
Trying to settle an argument. I'm going with Charles Alexander.
All Alexander did was run the ball.
Cannon (and the often forgotten Stovall) played all over the field - and Faulk was a key contributer in the return game.
If we limit it to guys who primarily ran the ball and make the question - Who was the best running back - with the ball in his hands - in LSU history? - it's probably Faulk, then Cannon, Alexander, Stovall and Hilliard.
The fact that Faulk, Alexander and Hilliard are 3 of my favorite players of all time makes this tough.
Objectively, Hilliard is distinguishable - he is not a member of the LSU HOF - he was not a first team All American. He is not completely out of place in this company as he had many 100 yard rushing games and is LSU's career leader for rushing attempts (882). He is also 4th in yards per game for a season (115.3 for 1984) and 2nd for a career (92.0).
Now - why is Faulk #1? He is LSU's career leader in rushing yards (4557), has the 2nd, 3rd and 8th best seasons as a rusher, is 2nd, all time, in yards per rush for a career (including the 2 best season averages, 5.585 and 5.580 for '98 and '97 respectively), is 1st in yards per game for a career (111.2 - making him the only LSU RB to average over 100 yards rushing per game) and is the only LSU RB to have 3 games rushing over 200 yards (and only Alexander had 2 games over 200 yards). (ETA - I see a possible 4th game where Faulk rushed for over 200 yards - 201 against Bama in 1998 - that was not listed in the 2011 media guide as a top rushing game peformance, but it may have dropped off because of the number they chose to list - but I see it in an excerpt under "200 yards rushing).
Other superlatives for Faulk - 5 rushing TDs in a game (Kentucky, 1997) making him 1st, all time, and 46 rushing TDs in a career, also an LSU record, despite never scoring more than 15 rushing TDs in a single season. He is also the career leader in rushes per game at 20.9 and, in a tie with Carlos Carson, holds the record for most points and TDs in a a game (5). He is also the 2nd leading scorer in LSU history, behind only Colt David (and Hilliard is 3rd, the only 2 non-kickers in the top 5).
SO, by every objective measurable, the best NCAA career had, by an LSU running back, was Kevin Faulk. He did not win the Heisman or get serious consideration - Cannon, Stovall and Alexander all had more successful campaigns. However, in the long run, that is less significant than the objective accomplishments of Kevin Faulk at LSU.
This post was edited on 2/16/12 at 10:23 am
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:17 am to Ace Midnight
Ace bringing the pain.
And the facts.
And the facts.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:44 am to GarmischTiger
Not this again, for the last time Billy Cannon!!! 
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:44 am to Bootycall
dalton hilliard
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:45 am to Bootycall
There is only one answer....Dalton Hillard #21 
JMHO, but K. Faulk was pretty good too
JMHO, but K. Faulk was pretty good too
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:51 am to TreyE663
Faulk - Cannon - Alexander - Collins - Hester
In that order. Collins would have been #1 if he would've stayed healthy and out of neighbors apartments.
In that order. Collins would have been #1 if he would've stayed healthy and out of neighbors apartments.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 8:54 am to Bootycall
Billy Cannon and then Dalton Hilliard
Posted on 2/16/12 at 9:26 am to Bootycall
Probably Charles Alexander
Posted on 2/16/12 at 9:37 am to Bootycall
Charles Alexander
Posted on 2/16/12 at 9:48 am to Bootycall
quote:
Who is the best running back in LSU history?
There is no argument...how many Heisman winners or how many in the NFL HOF...either Cannon or Taylor.....case closed!
Posted on 2/16/12 at 9:50 am to Bootycall
Billy Cannon. Jimmy Taylor.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 9:58 am to GarmischTiger
quote:
I would wager that only five percent of the folks who read or reply to this post ever saw Charles Alexander play. Your argument ain't gonna get a lot of love up in here.
All I can say - Alexander the Great was smooth like silk - he got Heisman consideration near the end of Mac's era. I can't say much about him as a complete back (blocking, receiving, contributing in the return game), but probably the best "pure" runner we've ever had.
I had him at 3rd, and there's an argument for him to be ahead of Cannon (and for some of ya'll, ahead of Faulk). I saw him and Dalton play - Dalton is a sentimental favorite because of his effort and his tenure with the Saints. Dalton is on the cusp between the "legendary" LSU runners and the much larger group of "great, but not the best". For our discussions today, I have him with the legends.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:02 am to Ace Midnight
Well said about Dalton. And had an impact as a freshman (was he a true frosh?).
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:06 am to Gus Tinsley
quote:
There is no argument
This thread respectfully disagrees...
quote:
how many Heisman winners
No question that Cannon was a great football player - one of the best of all time. Does that make him the best RB in LSU history? I'm not so sure. He was a three-way player. Is it possible that Casanova #1, Cannon #2 and Faulk #3 in the list of "best FB players in LSU history", but Faulk be considered a better RB than either Casanova or Cannon?
quote:
Taylor
Again, he was noted for his play in all aspects of the game (and as others have mentioned, Van Buren is in the NFL HOF - what about him? Does that make him a better RB at LSU than Stovall? Alexander? Faulk?)
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:13 am to Bootycall
Billy Cannon...if you want to go by honors won during his careen at LSU.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:14 am to GarmischTiger
quote:
Well said about Dalton. And had an impact as a freshman (was he a true frosh?).
Yeah, he rushed for 183 yards (on 36 carries) as a true freshman against FSU in the "Oranges" game. He rushed for 133 against Oregon State, 128 against Florida, 123 against Ole Miss and 100 against Kentucky - all that same year. This was while he was splitting time with Gary James.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:14 am to Ace Midnight
Kevin Faulk
Posted on 2/16/12 at 10:15 am to Ace Midnight
Slight hijack - when did LSU stop having a freshman team? When were freshmen allowed to play?
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