Grades for LSU-Auburn: Leonard Fournette puts on a show

Here are the top takeaways from Saturday’s Auburn-LSU game, including the highest-graded players for each team:

LSU Tigers:

— HB Leonard Fournette’s (+6.7) highlight-reel moments were a true representation of his efforts on the day. Forcing 11 missed tackles and gaining 163 of his 228 rushing yards after contact, he turned in one of the most dominant running back performances you’ll see this season.

— With the running game providing more than enough offense, not much was needed through the air and the numbers for QB Brandon Harris (+1.4) illustrate that well — eight of his 12 completions came behind the line of scrimmage and screens ruled the day.

— DT Davon Godchaux led the LSU defense with a pass rush grade of +2.1, collecting a pair of sacks and a batted pass on 19 snaps spent getting after the quarterback.

Top Performers:

HB Leonard Fournette (+6.7)
TE Colin Jeter (+3.4)
S Jamal Adams (+3.1)
DE Tashawn Bower (3.1)
DT Davon Godchaux (+2.8)

Auburn Tigers:

— Completing just 11 passes on 17 aimed attempts on the day, it was a pair of fumbles, an interception and another that should have been picked off that dragged down QB Jeremy Johnson’s grade (-5.4 passing). A questionable “was he across the line of scrimmage?” TD pass and one more tacked on late weren’t enough to salvage the day.

— For a defense that missed 20 tackles, CBs Blake Courtness (-2.9) and Jonathan Jones (-3.9) were among the chief offenders missing four each. Safeties Nick Ruffin (-3.8) and Tray Matthews (-3.3) weren’t far behind, each with three misses logged.

— The Auburn O-line was charged with just four total pressures allowed. Three of those went against offensive lineman Austin Golson (-1.3 pass block) as both sacks and a hurry wound up on his ledger. There wasn’t much he could do about one of them but on the other (third quarter, 10:56) he was simply walked straight back to the QB and shoved aside for the sack.

Top Performers:

LG Alex Kozan (+1.9)
RT Avery Young (+1.9)
LT Shon Coleman (+1.4)
RG Braden Smith (+1.4)
LBs Deshaun Davis & Jeff Holland (+1.2)