Leonard Fournette vs. Sam Houston State: Stats, Highlights, Twitter Reaction

Much of college football expected Leonard Fournette to steal the headlines during LSU's Week 1 affair against Wisconsin. Instead, he waited until a week later. 

The Tigers' infinitely hyped true freshman running back was unleashed against Sam Houston State on Saturday, carrying the ball 13 times for 92 yards and a touchdown in LSU's 56-0 win. He also caught one pass for 15 yards. 

Fournette failed to make a positive impression on August 30 against the Badgers with his eight carries going for just 18 yards, but he made those struggles a distant memory on Saturday in the span of just two plays.

He escaped for a 40-yard rush in the first quarter, and one play later plunged into the end zone from four yards out for his first collegiate touchdown.

Head coach Les Miles again opted for the more seasoned Kenny Hilliard to start at running back, but Fournette wasted little time making his impact felt on the Tigers' second possession of the game. His first three rushes were a combined two yards before the 40-yard rush and resulting score.

Then, with one ill-timed celebration, he put the target on his back for criticism by striking the Heisman pose in the endzone.

It's not like Fournette striking the Heisman pose is the first time that the true freshman has been linked to the prestigious trophy. After all, Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman went as far as to pick him to win this year's Heisman and is one of many who entered 2014 all-in on the Fournette hype. 

But needless to say, many weren't amused by the antics, including his own coach. As USA Today's Glenn Guilbeau noted, Miles pulled Fournette aside for some words when he came off the field:

Scott Rabalais of The Baton Rouge Advocate added the following:

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit was also among the critics, posting some harsh criticism of the freshman:

"

1st TD of your career Sam Houston St. Seriously?!?! What an absolute JOKE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/dK7UiNkM67

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 7, 2014"

Ivan Maisel of ESPN noted that he's acting new on the scene, and well, he is:

Guilbeau later wondered whether he was foreshadowing a somewhat smaller award in his future:

The critics of Fournette came out in droves, and that wasn't really a surprise. Many were pumping the brakes on him after minimal impact in Week 1, and despite all of the hype that has been created for him, it was still his first career touchdown—against Sam Houston State, seemingly as the team's second-string running back.

But even though many people disliked Fournette's move, others didn't see the problem in it, including ESPN's Alex Scarborough and Sam Khan Jr.:

There may have been some overreactions to Fournette's antics, but given the way Miles reacted, he didn't take it lightly. 

Will Weathers added a quote from the head coach at halftime:

Fournette's performance on Saturday was largely defined by his touchdown celebration, but otherwise it was a solid outing for the youngster. He showed his breakaway speed on a 40-yard rush, got some tough yards between the tackles and even made a reception.

As LSU Football noted, he also made an impact on a kickoff return:

If anything, Miles and his coaching staff opted to give Fournette even more burn in the second half after his gesture rather than bench him. He nearly scored for a second time in the fourth quarter with a 27-yard rush that set up Hilliard's two-yard score to put LSU up 56-0 late. 

Fournette was one of many freshmen showing up in the second half, as ESPN's Travis Haney noted:

He may have made the wrong headlines with his celebration, but everything else from Fournette was impressive on Saturday. The freshman was hitting holes with power and made himself useful in passing and in special teams.

And when he finally made it into the open field like many Tigers fans were holding their breath for, he didn't disappoint.

His near 100-yard performance on Saturday was much more encouraging than the 18 yards he posted against Wisconsin the week prior, and he certainly showed that he won't be an afterthought on the Tigers offense. But considering the opponent they faced and the impact Hilliard continues to have, the sky-high expectations for Fournette's freshman season should still be tempered.