Heading into the 2017 college football season, Saquon Barkley was hyped as one of the best — if not THE best — running backs in the country. In Penn State's opener against Akron, he quickly showed why.
MORE: Penn State's First 2017 TD is a Punt Return
By halftime, Barkley totaled 145 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries (16.1 yards per carry) and added two receptions for 11 yards as the Nittany Lions jumped out to a 35-0 lead at the break.
Clearly, those lofty preseason expectations haven't gotten to his head. He showed he can make plays in space:
Saquon Barkley doing Saquon Barkley things. pic.twitter.com/I5JpQALNCt
— Ty Wurth (@WurthDraft) September 2, 2017
And flashed his speed on a breakout 80-yard run that initially looked like a touchdown, but Barkley was called out on the 7 yard line:
VIDEO — Saquon Barkley makes a house call on a TD under review; may have stepped out at the 7: https://t.co/IlQRW0VfYu
— Josh Webb-Thomson (@FightOnTwist) September 2, 2017
With about 5 minutes left in the first half, Barkley recorded his first TD of the season, too:
Barkley struts into the end zone https://t.co/bSNcBBWqg0
— Jim Oxley (@jrox12) September 2, 2017
How about one more touchdown before the end of the half?
Saquon Barkley's 2nd TD: https://t.co/3u5qUO5zZG
— Jim Oxley (@jrox12) September 2, 2017
Yes, Penn State is playing a team they are way, way better than.
UPDATE: Barkley Returns 2nd Half Kickof — But, Why?
But Barkley is clearly the real deal, and he's showing it in the season opener.
