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MSU running backs LJ Scott and Madre London emerge in Spartan backfield

Matthew Argillander
September 13, 2015
<p>The surprise back of the MSU ground game trio carried the load for much of the season, logging a team leading 699 yards rushing on 146 carries and 11 rushing touchdowns. Highly touted out of high school, he became the physical runner of the Spartan backfield used for tough ground-it-out situations and saw a lot of action near the goal lines. </p><p>He seems slightly ahead to earn the starting role, but certainly will split carries with Madre London and Gerald Holmes, both smaller and considered quicker backs.</p>

The surprise back of the MSU ground game trio carried the load for much of the season, logging a team leading 699 yards rushing on 146 carries and 11 rushing touchdowns. Highly touted out of high school, he became the physical runner of the Spartan backfield used for tough ground-it-out situations and saw a lot of action near the goal lines.

He seems slightly ahead to earn the starting role, but certainly will split carries with Madre London and Gerald Holmes, both smaller and considered quicker backs.

By Matthew Argillander

margillander@statenews.com

After the MSU football team’s 31-28 victory over Oregon Saturday night, any questions about the Spartans backfield have disappeared.

Redhsirt freshman running back Madre London and true freshman running back LJ Scott have emerged as the lead backs for MSU.

London carried the ball 18 times for 103 yards and Scott had 11 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon.

“Our two running backs ran very well,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “Could have played the other ones but just went with two, and I thought they played extremely well with big plays.”

London got things going early. On the first offensive series of the night for the Spartans, London ripped off a 62-yard run, which would later set up an MSU touchdown.

Sophomore running back Gerald Holmes was left completely out of the mix after getting nine carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in week one against Western Michigan.

“I think we have four very good running backs but it’s tough to get them all carries,” Dantonio said. “And you want to get them moving ... some were on very big plays. The consistency may be lacking a little bit at times. But some very, very big plays, and I thought we ran through tackles.”

London spoke about the constant competition in the backfield, noting that anyone has the ability to step up and contribute.

“It’s high intensity every week, any week somebody (else) could end up starting, any week it’s going to be somebody else’s week,” London said. “LJ played good, I played good and (Holmes) played good last week, so we’ll keep going.

“If you have a bad day somebody else is going to come in and step up.”

Senior quarterback Connor Cook attributed the success in the backfield to his offensive line, which was dominant for the second straight week, not allowing a single sack in over 33 minutes of possession time.

“Credit, obviously the O-line played exceptional,” Cook said. “But I think we are running the ball great and I think the O-line has done a great job opening up holes for the running backs and keeping me protected.”

Cook also had high praise for Scott, comparing him to a former MSU running back Le’Veon Bell.

“When I handed the ball to LJ and saw him break those tackles and kick into an extra gear, kind of reminded me of Le’Veon back when he was a freshman,” Cook said. “I was at the Notre Dame game when they won in overtime, and just watching the runs that Le’Veon broke ­— LJ reminded me of Le’Veon during that game.

“Just having running backs like that, I know they are young, but they just continue to get better ... they are playing like veterans, especially on a big time stage like this.”

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