https://vine.co/v/5TlvqWUueqM
LSU and Florida will face off on Saturday afternoon, several weeks after their scheduled game was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. While LSU entered the game as a two-touchdown favorite during the week, star running back Leonard Fournette was thought to be unavailable as a result of injury, moving the Tigers into a more perilous position when it comes to taking down the Gators.
#LSU RB Leonard Fournette is not expected to play against the #Gators, a source confirms.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 19, 2016
However, there has been an apparent twist involving Fournette, and it isn’t the usual “in versus out” scenario of an injured player. Before kick-off, there was a scuffle between the two teams, and it reportedly involved Fournette and Florida defensive backs coach Torrian Gray getting into it physically.
Fight breaks out between #LSU-Florida players.
Leonard Fournette and a Florida assistant coach shove each other. pic.twitter.com/wFZwyW1nU7
— Joshua Thornton (@JoshuaThornton_) November 19, 2016
In the aftermath of that dust-up, Fournette reportedly asked LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron to play and, well, it appears that he’ll do just that.
SEC Nation just reported Fournette was not expected to play – but after being shoved during scuffle, he asked O if he could suit up. #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 19, 2016
This is an interesting story in that it raises immediate questions about why Fournette wasn’t playing originally since he looks to be quite determined following the pregame incident. Still, it also creates the possibility of a legendary tale with Fournette emerging from street clothes to carry LSU to victory in what is expected to be his final home game. Given his considerable talent, that scenario seems exceedingly reasonable.
Leonard Fournette probably would not have played on Saturday if not for a weird altercation, but he’s ready to go now. Worst-case scenario, he picks his spots and Derrius Guice carries to load for the Tigers. Seeing as how Guice is averaging nearly nine yards per carry this year, that’s not a bad worst-case scenario.
