Freeze calls Fournette one of the best backs in SEC history

Both Ole Miss and LSU will limp into Saturday's game, as both teams are coming off losses to Arkansas in consecutive weeks. In case focus was an issue for the Rebels, Hugh Freeze has challenged his defense to man up after allowing 53 points and 605 total yards of offense to the Razorbacks Nov. 7. 

“You’re playing one of the best backs probably in the history of the SEC,” Hugh Freeze said Monday. “It’s a tremendous challenge. You have to gang tackle. You have to run to the football. He’s just one of the best players that will ever come through this conference, and that says a lot.”

Fournette rushed the ball 23 times for 113 yards in that game, and while he failed to reach the end zone, his punishing running allowed the Tigers to control the clock and eventually wear down the Landshark defense into surrendering the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. 

“We did ok against him last year, but he’s going to get his,” Freeze said. “If they decide to have a gameplan that gives him the ball, he’s going to get his. You just hope they aren’t explosive to the point that it’s creating scoring opportunities off of one or two runs. He’s a super talented guy. He was kind of that way when he got there, and he’s only gotten better.”

In LSU's 7-0 start to the season, Fournette averaged just over 193 yards on the ground, however in the Tigers last two games -- both losses -- Fournette has averaged only 61 rushing yards. If Ole Miss can slow down the SEC's most talented player, expect the Rebels to keep its SEC hopes alive. 

“The main thing, the challenge is ask your kids to do what they feel confidant doing. That’s what our focus will be the last few weeks.”