Leonard Fournette vs. Syracuse: Stats, Highlights and Reaction

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is making things look too easy through three games this season, racking up 244 more yards with two touchdowns against Syracuse in a 34-24 win over the Orange. 

Rush Attempts	Yards	Rec	Rec Yards	TDs
26	244	1	7	2

This is Fournette's second consecutive game with at least 200 rushing yards, as he went for 228 against Auburn last Saturday. He had "only" 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 21-19 victory over Mississippi State on September 12. 

Per ESPN Stats & Info, the sophomore sensation has become the first player in LSU history with at least 200 rushing yards in consecutive games, and he was single-handedly dominating the entire Syracuse offense in yardage at one point:

Those weren't the only notable stats to come from Fournette on Saturday, as Ross Dellenger of the Advocate noted:

As impressive as his stat line was Saturday, it could have been even better, as Clay Travis of OutkickTheCoverage.com shared:

A perfect example of what Fournette is capable of came late in the first quarter when it appeared LSU quarterback Brandon Harris was going to be taken down for a sack, via SportsCenter:

While Harris certainly deserves credit for staying on his feet long enough to get the ball in Fournette's hands, the running back's ability to assess the situation in a couple of seconds and give his quarterback an opportunity to lateral the ball before exploding out of the backfield is impressive. 

As Fournette was running over Syracuse defenders like a giant might flick away gnats, Travis was also declaring this year's Heisman race to be over:

That's certainly where things seem to be headed, though let's not go overboard. As good as Fournette has been through three games, let's see how he does against better competition before calling the race. 

Fournette is almost literally carrying LSU's offense on his back. Harris only attempted 16 passes thanks to the Heisman favorite averaging 9.4 yards per carry on 26 runs. In fact, Fournette has had more carries than Harris has had throws in each of LSU's first three games.

Tigers head coach Les Miles knows the key to success this year goes through the running game, and he is determined to ride his star as far as he can take the team. Fournette, who told George Schroeder of USA Today that being able to play college football in his home state means a lot to him, is relishing the opportunity.  

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” he says. “You’re from Louisiana—you’re playing for Louisiana, man. You get so much love from everybody, especially from New Orleans, my city. Everywhere I go, they’re rooting for me.”

It's probably not going out on a long limb to say the people of Baton Rouge are thrilled with the decision, too. 

Since it's become fashionable to imagine what Fournette will do when he's able to take his talents to the NFL after the 2016 season, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah offered up an interesting player comparison:

"

Everyone has their comps for Fournette. He reminds me of a young Frank Gore with more size/top speed. Sturdy runners.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) September 26, 2015"

Considering what Frank Gore has done throughout his career, the fact that Fournette could be a better version of that should have several general managers licking their chops even though they will have to wait awhile before getting a shot at him. 

In the meantime, Fournette will see if he can extend his streak of 200-yard rushing games in next weekend's matchup against Eastern Michigan. Based on how things have played out so far, it will be a disappointment if he doesn't reach that mark. 

Eventually, the 20-year-old will have to slow down. It's just difficult to imagine it right now because no defense has contained him yet this season.