LSU's Leonard Fournette Realizes Potential, Gives Fans Look at Future in Win

BUGA Nation hit primetime television Saturday night. 

Finally, LSU running back Leonard Fournette lived up to the hype. Fournette rushed for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-27 victory over Florida. 

LSU head coach Les Miles made the best coaching decision of the season by scratching the running back by committee against the Gators. Fournette took 27 of the Tigers' 50 carries and never wavered.  

Miles pumped Fournette up in the preseason unlike any other player he had before. Florida was the first time he trusted the 5-star true freshman to be the focal point of the offense. 

About time. 

	Attempts	Yards	YPC	TDs
Leonard Fournette	27	140	5.2	2
Terrence Magee	6	50	8.3	0
Kenny Hilliard	4	15	3.1	1
Darrel Williams	2	4	2	0

Fournette finally got the touches he deserved. His 27 carries were two more than what he got against Wisconsin, Mississippi State and Auburn combined. 

Sure, Fournette struggled to start the season. But the Tigers abandoned him too early against Auburn and Mississippi State. Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron gave the other running backs carries that should have gone to him. 

Fournette made defenders miss and powered through arm tackles. On his first touchdown run, he burst through a tackler at the goal line.

"

This is a freshman. This is a GROWN MAN! @LSUfball's Leonard Fournette rumbles for the 12-yd TD. #LSUvsUF » http://t.co/rptqGAQDBm

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 12, 2014"

 On his second, he skyrocketed over the pile from two yards out. 

"

121 and 2 TD's for Fournette with quarter to go. RT @FanSidedGIF: VINE - Fournette run for 2 yds for a TD #LSU https://t.co/5ZTDyXDcNX

— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) October 12, 2014"

Nearly every Fournette run featured a massive collision. Those hits began taking their toll on the Gators defense. All-SEC corner Vernon Hargreaves III was knocked out of the game while tackling him. Hargreaves' absence was felt when Tigers quarterback Anthony Jennings completed clutch passes late to Travin Dural. 

Jennings struggled through the air until late in the game. Nearly half of his completions went to fullback Melvin Jones. It is evident the LSU passing attack looks still has a long way to go. 

If Fournette and the LSU offensive line continue to play dominant football, the passing game will continue to improve. Miles can also play his preferred old-school, smash-mouth football, which is what has gotten him to 100 wins at LSU. 

The Tigers will still need backup runners Kenny Hilliard, Terrence Magee and Darrel Williams to give Fournette much-needed rest. But Miles should give him at least 15 touches a game for LSU's offense to perform at its optimal level. 

Fournette should have success next week against 5-1 Kentucky next Saturday in Baton Rouge. The Wildcats allowed Florida's Matt Jones and South Carolina's Mike Davis to rush for a combined 339 yards and four touchdowns. There is no excuse for the true freshman to not crack 100 yards. 

After Kentucky, the Tigers will face the stingy run defenses of Ole Miss, Alabama and Arkansas. Fournette will be the Tigers' best shot of having success on the ground against those teams. If LSU is forced into throwing the football often, the likelihood of winning a game in the SEC West decreases.

There are no easy victories left for LSU, but the best path is with Fournette leading the charge.  

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by cfbstats.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.