Virginia Tech Running Back Ryan Williams
Freshman Continues to Pile Up Big Yardage for Hokies
Williams rolled past the 1,000-yard mark during the Hokies' 16-3 non-conference victory over East Carolina on Thursday night at Greenville, N.C. Actually, Williams passed the 1,100-yard barrier, too.
The redshirt freshman ran 26 times for 179 yards, raising his season total to 1,109 and remaining on a pace to set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for rushing yards by a freshman.
Williams has now run 189 times for 1,109 yards, and he's on a pace to set an Atlantic Coast Conference record for rushing yards in a season by a freshman.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound speedster is averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and ranks eighth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 123.3 yards per game.
That Williams has emerged into a star is no surprise, as he was a highly touted prep recruit. But he wasn't expected to be pursuing records in 2009.
In fact, he wasn't even supposed to start.
Injury to Darren Evans Made Williams No. 1 Back
Two of the records Willliams is threatening this season were set by teammate Darren Evans in 2008. While Williams redshirted, Evans set the ACC freshman record with 1,265 yards and a Virginia Tech freshman mark with 11 touchdowns. His yardage total ranks as the fourth-best in school history.
But the Orange Bowl MVP suffered a torn ACL in August, and his season was over before it began. So Williams stepped in as the Hokies' primary back — and he now appears primed to step into the record books, too.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Williams is 156 yards shy of Evans' ACC freshman mark and is just one touchdown short of his teammate's school touchdown mark. If Williams remains on his current pace, he'll have the second-highest total in school history (1,478) with a bowl game remaining.
The school record for single-season yardage is 1,646 yards, set by Kevin Jones in 2003.
Why Williams Is So Effective
Williams runs the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, according to the team web site; and he's a shifty runner who's adept at making opposing tacklers miss.
But what's setting him apart this season is his strength. He'll run over some potential tacklers outright, and on other occasions, he'll bounce off defenders like a pinball, then go churning forward again.
Williams has also shown durability and consistency, averaging 21 carries per game. He managed a career-high 34 for 150 yards in a 31-7 triumph over Miami earlier this season.
On only three occasions has Williams been held under 100 yards this season. His low of 71 yards came in a season-opening 34-24 loss to Alabama. He ran only 13 times, but scored twice against one of the nation's top defenses.
Fumble Against North Carolina Was Low Point
The low point of Williams' season came vs. North Carolina on Oct. 19, as his fumble set up the Tar Heels for the winning field goal in a 20-17 triumph. It was only his second fumble of the season and the first that he lost.
But he bounced back strong vs. East Carolina, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and helping the Hokies (6-3) snap a two-game losing streak. His previous high was 164 yards, which he managed against Marshall on Sept. 12.
Williams Starred at Stonewall Jackson High School
Williams was a four-year starter at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Va. Despite being hampered by injuries during his sophomore and senior seasons, he rushed for more than 3,000 yards. He was rated as the nation's No. 4 running back by ESPN.com.
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