LSU's Frank Wilson on why Harlem Berry only got 3 carries in bowl

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Harlem Berry's last carry of LSU football's game against Houston in the Texas Bowl Saturday came in the second quarter. The running back fumbled the ball at LSU's 41-yard line and it was recovered by the Cougars.

Berry has been LSU's most efficient back down the stretch and fans wanted to see more of the explosive runner. Interim head coach Frank Wilson, who also coaches running backs, offered his explanation for the true freshman's benching following the game.

"It's one of the things, we were on a two-year streak at one point, without turning the ball over, led the nation from a backfield unit," Wilson said. "It's our creed. It's our mantra. It's what we talked about, ball security."

Berry still finished as the Tigers' leading rusher, taking three carries for 45 yards. His first touch of the game went for 36 yards. LSU's other three running backs ran for a combined eight yards. Quarterback Michael Van Buren followed Berry with 24 yards on 11 carries.

Wilson, while focused on more of the big picture in his elevated role, trusts his staff to make personnel decisions in real time. It looked like LSU certainly could have used a spark from Berry in the second half as the weight was placed on LSU's passing game.

"The game was in the balance," Wilson said. "I trust our staff, even in the midst of that fumble. For me, in my current role, my attention immediately then flips over to the defense and those decisions that'll have to be made. As an offensive staff, I trust our staff to make the right decision, to get the right people in the game, to give us the best opportunity to win the football game."

Berry's first year of college football ends as the team's second leading rusher. He took 104 carries for 491 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a position-best 4.7 yards per carry. Wilson expressed optimism for Berry's future, calling him "an outstanding young student-athlete."

"Harlem has been outstanding in his freshman campaign; he has a bright future here," Wilson said. "He'll be one of the greats when it's all said and done but in a game where every possession matters, that will probably contribute to why he didn't play as much as after the fumble."

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU's Frank Wilson on why Harlem Berry only got 3 carries in bowl

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