(AP) El Paso - “Mother Fucking Leonard Fournette….fucking Fournette. I bet Les Miles is kicking himself right now for letting that kid go.” UTEP Coach Jesus Villa was seen muttering those words to his defensive coordinator as both men departed the field after a close 27-24 loss at home to Arkansas State. The JR-HB (99 OVR) ran over, around and away from Miners defenders for 129 yards rushing and also contributed 60 yards receiving. Unofficially he broke 2-3 tackles every play and accounted for 75% of the Red Wolves offense. UTEP had 3 costly turnovers, including a 30 yard scoop and score fumble, from the hands of SO-QB Dennis Hawthorne, who other than the miscues (also 2 INTs) was very efficient from the pocket (14-17, 225 yds, 1 TD).
Despite the loss I still LOVE how these sliders play out. Fournette was in complete “Marshawn Lynch” beast mode, and as frustrating as it got to see guys bounce off, he should have been “beasting”. No longer the days of seeing a 180 lb CB stone a 230 lb HB. Now was it totally realistic? No, but it was nice to see broken tackles (although it wasn’t nice to completely blow a play up, hit his back-up HB in the backfield, 3rd and 7 on my 9, and have him shuck them for the 1st down).
Despite the loss I still LOVE how these sliders play out. Fournette was in complete “Marshawn Lynch” beast mode, and as frustrating as it got to see guys bounce off, he should have been “beasting”. No longer the days of seeing a 180 lb CB stone a 230 lb HB. Now was it totally realistic? No, but it was nice to see broken tackles (although it wasn’t nice to completely blow a play up, hit his back-up HB in the backfield, 3rd and 7 on my 9, and have him shuck them for the 1st down).