LeSean McCoy: Reason to be worried?

What Jacquizz Rodgers is to Oregon State, LeSean McCoy is to Pittsburgh. The only difference is that he's a sophomore, and he'll likely be fully healthy for the Sun Bowl December 31 in El Paso, Texas. 

The 5'11", 210 sophomore out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ranks tenth in the nation in rushing (116.92 ypg), and leads the nation in scoring (10.5 ppg).

The man has a knack for the end zone-- he's been there 21 times over the course of Pitt's 12 games.

McCoy, who simply goes by "Shady", reached the top of his game in the middle of the season, when he rushed for five straight 140+ yard games. In fact, LeSean broke the century mark six times throughout the season, and each time he rushed for over 100 yards, his yardage total was above 140. During that five game stretch between the time the Panthers played Syracuse on September 27 and the time they played Notre Dame on December 1, McCoy rushed for an average of 152.4 yards per game.

McCoy's best rushing performance came November 28 against West Virginia when he rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Also, McCoy scored four touchdowns and ran for 146 yards in a losing effort against Rutgers. 

However, despite his dominance, McCoy was contained in some games. Against Louisville, LeSean was held to 39 yards on 17 carries, a career low. Five other teams were able to hold him to under 100 yards. 

Is there reason for Beaver fans to worry about LeSean McCoy? The Oregon State rushing defense was near the top of the Pac-10 nearly all year until the wheels fell off against Oregon, but the Beavers haven't faced very many backs of LeSean's nature this year.

The unanimous first team All-Big East running back draws many parallels to Jacquizz Rodgers both on paper and on film. It would be quite a sight to see the two on the same field together, but Quizz has some healing to do before we can get excited about the McCoy-Rodgers matchup.

Will McCoy steal the show in El Paso?

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)