7 memorable performances by Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette announced Monday that he will leave LSU after the Citrus Bowl and enter the NFL draft.
Fournette has been a dominant running back over his three-year career in Baton Rouge, and to celebrate his time with the Tigers, here are seven memorable moments in honor of No. 7.
Oct. 11, 2014 vs. Florida (140 yards, 2 TDs)
This was Fournette's first great performance on the big stage in his freshman season. While he did run for 122 yards and two touchdowns against New Mexico State, this was in Gainesville against rival Florida. Fournette showed why he was highly touted coming out of New Orleans, rushing for 140 yards and two scores in the 30-27 win.
Dec. 30, 2014 vs. Notre Dame (143 yards, 3 TDs)
In his first bowl game, the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame, Fournette tallied 143 yards and two scores on the ground. However, it was his kick return early in the second quarter that impressed those watching, taking it 100 yards to the house untouched. LSU would lose the game, but Fournette set the tone for the following season.
Sept. 19, 2015 vs. Auburn (228 yards, 3 TDs)
As a sophomore, Fournette quickly became the Heisman favorite, especially after this showing against Auburn in Week 3. The running back displayed his strength and finesse the entire game, recording a career-high 228 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-21 win over the Tigers.
Sept. 26, 2015 vs. Syracuse (244 yards, 2 TDs)
That career high would last all but one week, Fournette traveled up to Syracuse and racked up 244 yards to go along with two scores. It was his fifth straight 100-plus game and eighth of his career, a fitting place since Syracuse was the home to the greatest running back ever in Jim Brown.
Oct. 3, 2015 vs. Eastern Michigan (233 yards, 3 TDs)
Fournette became the first SEC running back to rush for over 200 yards in three straight games, a feat Heisman winners Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker never achieved. His three touchdowns versus Eastern Michigan gave him 11 through four games, already eclipsing his total through all of last season.
Dec. 29, 2015 vs. Texas Tech (212 yards, 5 TDs)
Fournette was invited to New York City for the Heisman ceremony and took his frustration out on Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The Tiger tied a bowl record with five total touchdowns, four on the ground and one receiving, and was named game MVP. Fournette would rate his performance this way: "I would say the night was productive."
Oct. 22, 2016 vs. Ole Miss (284 yards, 3 TDs on 16 carries)
Fournette returned to the field from an ankle injury with a statement game versus Ole Miss, registering 284 yards on the ground, three touchdowns of 59, 76, and 78, and averaged 17.8 yards per carry. He also had three catches, one of which included this beast moment: