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Auburn running back Roc Thomas runs for a fourth-quarter touchdown against San Jose State at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- The much-anticipated debut of freshman phenom Roc Thomas finally came on Saturday, a minute into the fourth quarter, with a goal-line carry in a blowout that was winding down at that point.

Thomas, a highly-touted five star back from Oxford, has generated plenty of buzz in Auburn's camp, a highlight-reel runner who impressed teammates and coaches alike with his natural instincts in fall camp.

As Thomas trotted onto the field for his first offensive play, though, he felt like any other freshman.

"I had a lot of emotions going in," Thomas said. "I just tried to not let them overwhelm me."

In the moment before the snap, Thomas could feel the anticipation building.

"Butterflies, jitters, being anxious," Thomas said. "All the fans around you, all the loudness, and really, trying not to mess up."

And then he got his chance.

On his first offensive snap, Thomas took the handoff on a sweep, accelerated around the right edge, then cut inside a block from Jordan Diamond, got low and bowled through the tackle of Christian Tago, San Jose State's best defender, to get into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown.

"I've been looking forward to that coming up this week," Tigers senior Cameron Artis-Payne said. "I knew they'd get a chance to play. ... Roc and Peyton didn't disappoint."

Thomas got much more work than redshirt freshman Peyton Barber in this game. With the game out of reach, Thomas carried nine times for 51 yards, including a 13-yard gain that included an impressive spin move past a would-be tackler.

The freshman did make one rookie mistake late by fumbling away the ball after he was stripped by San Jose State's Simon Connette.

Take away the fumble, though, and Thomas looked like a back who might be able to help the Tigers this season, although Artis-Payne and Corey Grant are the clear top two in the backfield.

For most Auburn fans, Thomas' debut came a week later than they were willing to wait.

Thomas never had any of those concerns. Even after sitting out the season opener, he knew he'd be in the game soon.

"I was just being patient," Thomas said. "I was just sitting back, waiting for my name to be called."