Leonard Fournette Is An Unstoppable Force Of Nature

LSU is always supposed to roll Syracuse. They’re an SEC school, ranked in the top 10, with linemen on both sides of the ball that are notably heavier than Syracuse’s. But they barely handed the Orange their first loss today. The Tigers committed 14 penalties for 120 yards and let first-time starter Zack Mahoney, who started the year as the fifth-string QB, throw for three touchdowns. The Orange also took a few timely risks, including a fake field goal that worked out.

But none of that mattered because LSU has Leonard Fournette, who is on an unholy hot streak right now unlike any other player in the nation. Fournette rushed for 244 yards on only 26 attempts, including a 62 yard house call. It could have been much worse, as the 87-yard run you can see up top was called back for an illegal formation penalty.

Today’s career high marks Fournette’s fifth straight 100-yard rushing game. He is now averaging 210 yards-per-game this season. These numbers haven’t come against, say, Directional Wyoming School Of Automotive Education. The Tigers have beaten Mississippi State, Auburn, and now, a team that forced nine turnovers during its 3-0 start.

He is the early Heisman favorite, but it’s too early for that tag to do anything besides add undue pressure. Let’s just enjoy him mashing up SEC defenses for now, because, uh, that’s going to continue.

Contact the author at patrick@deadspin.com or @patrickredford.