Parsons makes impact at fullback

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

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Another week, another new fullback for the LSU offense.

Freshman Thomas Parsons lined up as the upback for most of the second half of Saturday’s 42-0 blast past Tulane, joining Charles Scott, Dominique Allen, James Stampley and Richard Dugas in the cast of players who have tried their hand at fullback.

The fullback spot has been a problem area this season after LSU lost Quinn Johnson to graduation. Johnson, a bruising blocker, is the starting fullback for the Green Bay Packers.

Like Dugas, Parsons is a converted offensive lineman. And the 6-foot-5, 276-pound Texas native made a splash, destroying several defenders to help LSU rack up a season-best 267 rushing yards.

“Parsons played an aggressive, wild, enthusiastic football game for us, and that was very nice to see,” Tigers coach Les Miles said. “There’s a chance that he may give us some things there.”

Fan of the Green

Scott notched his first 100-yard rushing game this season with 112 yards on 18 carries, with a pair of touchdowns mixed in.

The last time Scott topped 100 was also against Tulane on Nov. 1, 2008, when he ran for 114. Scott’s first 100-yard game was also at the Wave’s expense, a 101-yard effort as a freshman on Sept. 23, 2006.

“We just came out with a point that we wanted to run the ball,” Scott said. “We felt like we made great strides. Alabama’s got a great defense, so we know we’re going to have to run the ball to be successful.”

Inching upward

With a season-high 455 total yards and the most points scored in a game since a 50-48 triple-overtime loss to Arkansas in 2007, LSU’s offense improved its statistics in the Southeastern Conference.

Just not enough to climb out of the cellar in total offense.

The Tigers are still last in the SEC in that category, averaging 325.1 yards per game. But 831 yards the last two weeks has upped LSU’s average by 40.1 ypg and leaves the Tigers only 3.5 ypg behind Georgia.