Sun Belt ConferenceShort-yardage / goal-line · enumeration
Who gets the tough yard
5/15Inside-5 share
5 of the team's 15 inside-the-5 carries (33.3%).
Steven Blanco
Rushing yards243233rd of 278 running backsLast gameL 31–35at Southern Miss · Oct 24
Nextvs South AlabamaSat Nov 7 · 5 pm ET
- touchdown
Dashed line: 100 yards.
This week
- RecordLouisiana is 5-3.
- Next gamevs South Alabama · Sat Nov 7
Worth knowing
- Steven Blanco has 41 rushing yards a game at home, 19.8 on the road.
His most important play this season
20% of the carries, 16% of the yards, 17% of the touchdowns
- Carries20%67 of 335
- Yards16%243 of 1,513
- Touchdowns17%4 of 24
- A touchdown every 16.8 carries. Everyone else on the team: one every 13.4.
Who carried it
- Lunch Winfield464 yards, 109 carries, 9 touchdowns
- JJ Garner304 yards, 51 carries, 5 touchdowns
- Steven Blanco243 yards, 67 carries, 4 touchdowns
- Anthony Reagan Jr.240 yards, 58 carries, 3 touchdowns
- Darrell Smith156 yards, 30 carries, 2 touchdowns
- 7 others109 yards
Share of the team's total this season.
Most of his carries go up the middle
102030
leftmiddlerightno spot
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each line is one carry: taller means more yards, and a line pointing down lost yards. Black lines are touchdowns. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside each lane the carries are lined up shortest to longest, not placed. Of his carries with a spot in the play text: left 11, middle 43, right 9.
Steven Blanco
Filling the Shoesas of Nov 4
Steven Blanco takes over from Bill Davis at Louisiana.
243rushing yards4rushing TD67carries
Rushing value per play
+0.21
our model · 2026 · 50 plays
Read the story so far
AI-generated narrative · may contain errors · not journalism · updated 2026-11-04
Style of play
Style of play
Play style
Does a little of everything without one standout trait.
Similar players
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
Fans
No outlet on our list has written about this player by name this season.
Where to follow
Career stats
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Last game (Wk 8): 33 rushing yards.
Game log
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 8 games
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 38-7vs Lamar | 5 | 17 | 3.4 | 1 | 12 | |
| Wk 2 | L 30-49@ No. 14 USC | 5 | 6 | 1.2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Wk 3 | W 21-14vs UAB | 11 | 55 | 5.0 | 1 | 14 | Season-high 55 yds |
| Wk 4 | W 34-7@ Charlotte | 6 | 4 | 0.7 | 0 | 4 | |
| Wk 5 | W 23-20vs Arkansas State | 9 | 42 | 4.7 | 0 | 16 | |
| Wk 6 | L 31-32@ Louisiana Tech | 8 | 36 | 4.5 | 0 | 14 | |
| Wk 7 | W 33-6vs Troy | 10 | 50 | 5.0 | 1 | 11 | |
| Wk 8 | L 31-35@ Southern Miss | 13 | 33 | 2.5 | 0 | 7 | |
| Total | 67 | 243 | 3.6 | 4 | 16 |
The latest game
Oct. 24 · L 31-35 at Southern Miss, play by play
13 carries for 33 yards. He converted a 3rd and 2 with the score tied 28-28.
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 4 stopped at or behind the line
- 4 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 5 for 4
- Second quarterbegan tied 7-7
- 1 for 6
- Third quarterbegan tied 21-21
- 3 for 1212
- Fourth quarterbegan up 28-21
- 4 for 113
- FinalL 31-35
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
No game thread archived for this game yet.
- 1
No gain on 4th and 1. Third quarter, tied 21-21. Turnover on downs.
- 2
7-yard run on 3rd and 5. Third quarter, tied 21-21. Converted.
- 3
4-yard run on 3rd and 2. Fourth quarter, tied 28-28. Converted.
The season, game by game
W 33-6 vs TroyOct. 1750 yds10 carries, 1 TD
10 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown.
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 5 moved the chains
- 1 catch for 2 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 2 for 141
- Second quarterbegan up 7-0
- 0 for 0, 1 rec2
- Third quarterbegan up 19-0
- 2 for 13, 1 TD
- Fourth quarterbegan up 26-6
- 6 for 23
- FinalW 33-6
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
11-yard run. First quarter, tied 0-0.
- 2
2-yard catch on 3rd and 13. Second quarter, up 7-0.
102030
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
6 more games, with the play by play
L 31-32 at Louisiana TechOct. 1036 yds8 carries
8 carries for 36 yards.
- of the 7 carries drawn:
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 2 moved the chains
- 1 catch for 4 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 14, 1 rec1
- Second quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 1 for 1
- Third quarterbegan down 13-10
- 2 for 152
- Fourth quarterbegan up 24-13
- 1 for 4
- FinalL 31-32
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
The per-play feed is missing 1 of his carries (2 yards), which the play text shows; the chart draws the 7 carries it has.
- 1
9-yard run on 3rd and 6. First quarter, tied 0-0. Converted.
- 2
14-yard run. Third quarter, down 13-10.
102030
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 23-20 vs Arkansas StateOct. 342 yds9 carries
9 carries for 42 yards. He converted a 3rd and 1 with the score tied 20-20.
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 4 moved the chains
- 1 catch for 10 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 2 for 1, 1 rec
- Second quarterbegan up 7-0
- 2 for 221
- Third quarterbegan down 10-7
- 2 for 82
- Fourth quarterbegan down 13-10
- 3 for 113
- FinalW 23-20
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
16-yard run. Second quarter, up 7-0.
- 2
6-yard run on 3rd and 5. Third quarter, down 13-10. Converted.
- 3
2-yard run on 3rd and 1. Fourth quarter, tied 20-20. Converted.
102030
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 34-7 at CharlotteSept. 264 yds6 carries
6 carries for 4 yards.
- of the 5 carries drawn:
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 1 moved the chains
- 1 catch for 3 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 2 for 41
- Second quarterbegan up 3-0
- 1 for 4, 1 rec, 1 TD
- Fourth quarterbegan up 17-7
- 2 for 52
- FinalW 34-7
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
The per-play feed is missing 1 of his carries (-9 yards), which the play text shows; the chart draws the 5 carries it has.
- 1
4-yard run. First quarter, tied 0-0.
- 2
2-yard run on 4th and 1. Fourth quarter, up 20-7. Converted.
102030
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 21-14 vs UABSept. 1955 yds11 carries, 1 TD
11 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown, his most this season. He converted a 4th and 1 with Louisiana up 21-14.
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 3 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 4 for 71
- Second quarterbegan up 8-0
- 2 for 212
- Third quarterbegan up 21-7
- 2 for 12
- Fourth quarterbegan up 21-7
- 3 for 153
- FinalW 21-14
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
1-yard run on 3rd and 1. First quarter, up 7-0. Converted.
- 2
14-yard run. Second quarter, up 14-7.
- 3
2-yard run on 4th and 1. Fourth quarter, up 21-14. Converted.
102030
leftmiddlerightno spot
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
L 30-49 at USCSept. 126 yds5 carries, 1 TD
5 carries for 6 yards and a touchdown.
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 2 stopped at or behind the line
- 1 moved the chains
- 1 catch for 7 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 2 for -2
- Second quarterbegan down 7-3
- 1 for 1, 1 TD
- Third quarterbegan down 28-10
- 1 for 1
- Fourth quarterbegan down 35-17
- 1 for 6, 1 rec1
- FinalL 30-49
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
7-yard catch. Fourth quarter, down 42-17.
102030
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 38-7 vs LamarSept. 517 yds5 carries, 1 TD
5 carries for 17 yards and a touchdown.
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 2 moved the chains
- Second quarterbegan up 7-0
- 2 for 6
- Third quarterbegan up 28-0
- 3 for 11, 1 TD1
- FinalW 38-7
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
12-yard run. Third quarter, up 28-0.
102030
leftmiddlerightno spot
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
Signature game
Week 2 · 2026
L 30-49
at USC
1 rec · 7 yds · 6 rush yds (5 car) · 1 TD
With L. Winfield — 212 yds · 1 TD · 0 INT · 91 rush yds (14 car) · 2 TD · M. Golding — 35.8 yards per punt · 5 punts · 43 long
Signature plays
The plays that mattered most
- Week 8 · Southern Miss · 4th and 1 · Q3 · EPA −4.29S.Blanco rush middle for 0 yards (W.Edison; M.Robinson III), TURNOVER ON DOWNS
- Week 3 · UAB · 3rd and 1 · Q1 · EPA +2.46Steven Blanco 1 Yd Run
- Week 3 · UAB · 1st and 15 · Q2 · EPA +2.23S.Blanco rush middle for 14 yards gain (J.Pierce)
- Week 4 · Charlotte · 2nd and 3 · Q2 · EPA +2.21Winfield to Blanco: a 3-yard touchdown pass.
- Week 6 · Louisiana Tech · 3rd and 6 · Q1 · EPA +1.89S.Blanco rush middle for 9 yards gain (T.Rogers)
- Week 3 · UAB · 2nd and 7 · Q3 · EPA +1.72S.Blanco rush left for 11 yards gain (J.Jordan; I.Esonwune)
4 more plays
- Week 1 · Lamar · 1st and 10 · Q3 · EPA +1.60S.Blanco rush left for 12 yards gain (T.Nelson)
- Week 8 · Southern Miss · 3rd and 5 · Q3 · EPA +1.38S.Blanco rush middle for 7 yards gain (M.Robinson III)
- Week 8 · Southern Miss · 3rd and 2 · Q4 · EPA +1.25S.Blanco rush middle for 4 yards gain (W.Edison)
- Week 7 · Troy · 1st and 2 · Q3 · EPA +1.21S.Blanco rush middle for 2 yards gain to the Troy00 TOUCHDOWN
Where he ranks
Rush yards243233rdAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Yards / carry3.6tied for 261stAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rush TDs4tied for 94thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Long run16tied for 267thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Carries67tied for 164thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rec yards26tied for 222ndAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
Receptions5tied for 206thAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
Fumbles lost1tied for 43rdAmong 141 backs with 40 or more carries
289th in rushing yards, among all 1,551 FBS players with a rushing row this season, any position
Opponents faced, by strength
Ratings of the games shown run from -25 to +14 points against an average team (SP+ rating of each opponent).
Rushing profile
Rush profile · Shape, efficiency, and ball security
How he gets his yards, and how often it works
65 of 67 carries matched to play-by-play
Success rate
49%65 carriesFumble rate
1.5%1 of 67 carries · 1 lostStuffed
0 or fewer yds15%of carries
10 carries
Grind
1–3 yds40%of carries
26 carries
Chunk
4–9 yds34%of carries
22 carries
Explosive
10+ yds11%of carries
7 carries
6 of 7 (86%) converted on 3rd/4th & short (≤2 to go) · 4 of 5 (80%) scored from inside the 5-yard line
3.6 yds/carry on 67 carries · 11% explosive (10+ yds) · 49% success rate.
Teams and coaches
2 seasons under Michael Desormeaux — 11-10 over that span.
2025Louisiana6-7HC: Michael Desormeaux · Run-leaning
2026Louisiana5-3HC: Michael Desormeaux · Run-heavy
Our ratings
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 8 games
Home vs Road
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home4g | 41.0 | 4.5 | 0.8 |
| Road4g | 19.8 | 2.2 | 0.2 |
First half vs Second half
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-77g | 30.0 | 3.5 | 0.6 |
| Weeks 8+1g | 33.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Michael Desormeaux
Pass share
35.1%
207 pass / 382 run
Plays / game
73.6
8 games
Team sack rate
5.8%
223 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-heavy.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
67 carries and 5 catches in 8 games
About as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week.
Recognition
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Production · CFB Zeitgeist Score
36 · #269 of 330 RBs
Three-star recruit. Now #269 at the position.
Starter
The No. 2,829 recruit in the country is carrying the ball in the Sun Belt as a redshirt sophomore.
Three seasons at Louisiana
2026 is in progress.
- 2026 Louisiana DesormeauxYear 3 · 8 games
- 2025 Louisiana DesormeauxYear 2 · 10 games
- 2024 Louisiana DesormeauxYear 1 · on the roster, no stat line
- High school St. MartinvilleSt. Martinville, LA · Class of 2024Three-star, No. 2,829 in the 2024 class. Signed with Louisiana.
2024
- Signed with LouisianaThree-star, out of St. Martinville
Coaching lineage · 2024–2026
1 coach2024–2026
Louisiana
Played every college season under Michael Desormeaux.