Fournette returns to LSU’s practice
BATON ROUGE, La. — The biggest ankle injury in college football has apparently healed.
LSU tailback and Heisman Trophy contender Leonard Fournette practiced for the first time Thursday afternoon since suffering a minor sprain to his lower ankle Aug. 16.
“Having him back is great,” LSU senior right guard Josh Boutte said after practice. “He’s starting to push toward game week and just really focusing on plays we’re going to be running.”
Asked if Fournette looked back to normal, Boutte laughed and said, “Oh yeah, it’s like he wasn’t gone. Really, he was probably faster because he had a little break.”
Fournette, a junior from New Orleans who set the LSU rushing record last season with 1,953 yards and led the nation in average yards per game with 162.8, wore a protective boot for several days after suffering the injury. It was off by Tuesday and he ran but did not take part in a scrimmage, which was the last tackling LSU was to have until the season opener. LSU coach Les Miles had said Tuesday that he expected Fournette back Thursday.
The No. 5 Tigers open the season on Sept. 3 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
DEVELOPMENTS
Massey expects to cause ‘headache’ for defenses: Dre Massey is Florida’s most versatile player, capable of lining up at receiver, running back, quarterback, returner and punter. Yes, punter.
The 25th-ranked Gators probably won’t ask Massey to kick, but they do expect the junior college transfer to be a huge help on offense this season.
“He’s one of those guys that you can use in a lot of different situations,” coach Jim McElwain said.
“I’ve been pretty much versatile everywhere I’ve played,” said Massey, who once accounted for 11 touchdowns in a high school game. “I’ve always been able to do more than one thing and play more than one position. I take pride in that.”
Massey did it all at Holmes (Mississippi) Community College last year. He caught 21 passes for 548 yards and six touchdowns, and carried 59 times for 452 yards and three scores. He also punted three times (averaged 22.3 yards) and threw three passes (all incomplete).
Florida isn’t trying to pass Massey off as a modern-day Paul Hornung, but considering the Gators’ lack of offensive playmakers since Percy Harvin left school in 2009, it’s easy to understand their excitement.
At the least, Massey should give the Gators another viable receiving option alongside Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell and C.J. Worton. But Massey also could end up in the starting lineup because Callaway hasn’t been cleared to play following a university-imposed suspension and Worton is dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
And if Massey’s performance matches his confidence, he’ll be tough to take off the field.
“It will give (defenses) a headache trying to figure out what they can do to stop me,” Massey said. “Then we’ll switch it up and do something different. It’s what we do.”
Florida has been searching for help on offense for years, ever since quarterback Tim Tebow’s tenure ended after the 2009 season with two national championships and about 20 school records.
The Gators ranked 100th in the nation in scoring in 2015, averaging 23.2 points a game, and were 112th in total offense. They won the Southeastern Conference’s watereddown Eastern Division thanks mostly to a dynamic defense.
McElwain vowed the offense will be “dramatically better” this year. His scheme is predicated on shifts and movements that are designed to create mismatches. Massey seems to be a perfect fit. The Greenville, South Carolina, native plays mostly in the slot, but can slide outside or line up in the backfield. And if the Gators want to get trickier, Massey can take snaps.
McElwain even guaranteed that Massey would throw at least one pass this season.
“There’s the art of deception in having those guys being able to do so many different things,” McElwain said. “I think anytime you can do that, it really helps.”
Auburn DB arrested: Auburn defensive back Stephen Roberts has been charged with attempting to elude an officer and possessing a firearm without a license.
Auburn Police Capt. Lorenza Dorsey said Friday that the 20-year-old Roberts was a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop and attempted to flee from the officer. The arrest report shows Roberts was arrested Wednesday at 9:53 p.m. and the firearm was a handgun. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Auburn spokesman Kirk Sampson says coach Gus Malzahn “is gathering all of the facts and will handle the situation appropriately.”
Roberts has been competing for the starting job at free safety. He started the final four games last season and made 26 tackles.