Scott has run with LSU job

The year after, all leading offensive indictors were down.

A season removed for its national championship, LSU has scored 177 fewer points in 2008 with 1,691 fewer yards and a less resilient ground game.

Not counting Charles Scott.

Georgia Tech has seen Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno and Clemson’s Charles Davis, but come Wednesday night, Scott will present the Jackets that rare combination of size and speed that might remind them of their own Jonathan Dwyer. But without the option.

A year ago, Scott was a third-teamer for the title team. In the space of 12 games this season as a junior, he became the coaches’ All-SEC first team choice, his 1,109 yards the most by an LSU back in 10 years. His 5.5 yards per rush surpasses any Tigers back in history except Kevin Faulk. And he is just getting started.

“His development,” LSU coach Les Miles said, “has been pretty constant.”

In August, Scott was listed as a co-starter when the season began, bracketed with Keiland Williams, Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday as LSU tried to reconfigure its rushing attack after Jacob Hester’s graduation. All Scott needed was the chance.

He reeled off 100-yard performances in each of his first four games, unseen in Baton Rouge since Charles Alexander 30 years before. Against Georgia on Oct. 25, he ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Against Alabama, he managed 92 yards and two scores.

While the Tigers struggled with their passing game, Scott became a very efficient Plan A. He finished the year with 15 rushing touchdowns, third-most in school history.

“Very remarkable. I’m not surprised at all,” said Tigers linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who came to LSU from Stephenson High School in the same recruiting class. “We all knew he had the ability. We were just waiting for something to bring it all out.”

Now up to 233 pounds from 215 his senior season at Hodge High School in Jonesboro, La., Scott has managed to improve his quickness while adding power. He essentially took the job away from Williams, who was thought by many to be the best high school back in 2006. This year, Williams had 78 carries to Scott’s 202.

“He’s gotten stronger,” Miles said. “I think he gotten faster, and I think he’s more elusive. I think he’s a more competent runner, great ball-security.”

He may have grown too competent for his own good. As LSU continued to struggle with its passing game —- quarterback Jarrett Lee threw 16 interceptions, as opposed to 14 touchdowns —- opponents placed more and more attention on Scott. By the end of the year, he became the first priority of every defensive coordinator.

Ole Miss held Scott to 10 yards on 10 carries Nov. 22. In the season finale, he ran for 28 yards on 12 carries at Arkansas. But the Tigers are hopeful that the development of freshman quarterback Jordan Jefferson may loosen up the field for Scott.

Held out of action for most of the season, Jordan played extensively in the last two games —- 272 passing yards and three touchdowns —- and has had a month to prepare for his second career start. This comes about during the ongoing conjecture in Baton Rouge that Scott might well file for the NFL draft, making the Chick-fil-A Bowl his last collegiate game.

“One thing about Charles, ever since he came here on Day One, he will run the ball hard,” Sheppard said. “You’ll never see the ball come out of Charles’ arms. He’s not one to fumble the football, and he’s very hard worker.

“I’ve seen his work ethic. Everything they’re giving him, all the accolades, Charles is very deserving of everything he gets.”

BOWL BOUND

> CHICK-FIL-A BOWL: Georgia Tech vs. LSU, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Georgia Dome (ESPN; 790 AM)

> CAPITAL ONE BOWL: Georgia vs. Michigan State, 1 p.m. Thursday, Orlando (ABC; 750 AM)