Going into 2013, a senior BC running back had rarely seen his name prove to be a big one on any specific game's score sheet.
Through his first 3 years with the Eagles, Williams had averaged just 4 yards a carry and complied just 5 100+ yard games on just 1562 yards of ground offence in those 3 years. Williams, who had been recruited by BC largely because of his massive 6 foot 227 pound frame an coachable speed, was having trouble using his affinities to his advantage and prior to 2013 was defiantly not the "we give you the ball and you go run for a while" kind of rusher that he is today.
Going into BC's week one bout with Villanova, the team was one built solely around the passing game. That strategy however was forsaken before halftime. With almost no warning, Williams put up his first 100 yard game in almost a full calender year rushing for 114 yards and compiling a yards per carry average of upwards of 5.
After the success he had in week one, there was no doubt that the game plan heading into week two was different from years past. First and foremost they were going into the game coming off a win, a situation that had occurred just 5 times in the past 2 years. Yet on a more individual level, it was a quiet truth that rusher: Williams was one good game away from solidifying his spot as a premier rusher on a team that has not had one in what seems like an eternity.
However, despite the magnitude of the situation, Williams answered the call in week 2 and then again in week 3 and frankly in every game since. On this Sunday morning, Andre Williams who has eclipsed 100 yards in 8 of 10 games this season, is the leading rusher in the entire NCAA and is one of the biggest reasons why BC is now bowl eligible for the first time since 2010.
He has 1,810 yards on the ground and on Saturday set a whole host of BC records via his astonishing 339 yard game that housed 3 rushes of 25 yards or longer. Following the longest of those 3 mega runs, it was announced atop Chestnut Hill that the now from unknown back had officially complied the greatest single season rushing numbers in Eagles history. The roar of jubilation that soon overtook Alumni Stadium was defining.
“My mom and dad were on the field today, they were a motivation for me. It was my last game in Alumni Stadium and the emotions I was feeling before and during the game were just crazy,’’ Williams said. “It really wasn’t hard to get back on the field and get another run out there even though I was hurting, even though I was tired. None of those things really mattered, because there was so much on the line.’’
Williams needs 364 more yards in these next 2 games to pass Montel Harris for the spot as the title of greatest rusher in BC history but even if he does not manage to nab those remaining 364 yards, there is still one other form of recognition that might very well put him into the same heap of success as former alumni like Luke Kechley and Doug Flutie. That kind recognition goes by one name: The Heisman Trophy.
It has been 29 years since Doug Flutie won the 1984 Heisman and despite the success of so many different men throughout this BC organization Flutie remains the only Eagle to ever win the NCAA's greatest individual prize. However, Andre Williams has a chance this year and frankly as you look across the league, when you subtract his being on a largely overlooked team in BC, he might even be a favorite.
“He’s a workhorse,’’ coach Steve Addazio said of Williams, “I think that any time you have a dominant football player that is all about the right things and stands for what’s right in college football then that’s what the Heisman Trophy represents. There are some tremendously worthy candidates out there, but why not Andre Williams?’’
While quarterbacks have been heavily favored throughout the history of Heisman voting, the official "mission of the trophy sates that: "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."
While operating off of those words, Williams sure fits the description. Furthermore as you look back at the numbers compiled by the last 5 Running Backs who have won, Williams is statistically better than 4 of them when it comes to yards achieved. Now it seems that the only roadblock standing between Williams and his trophy are the Quarterbacks. Johnny Manzel and Florida State hurler: James Winston. Both QB's have put up spectacular numbers and when you compare 3,300 yards passing to Williams 1,810 yards rushing, the quarterback bias will likely shine through.
Regardless of that perhaps Williams’ strongest statistical pillar for which he stands on is a number that out of context seems minuscule: 14. Those 14 rushing TD's are astounding in a modern day NCAA that like the NFL is largely centered around the passing game and frankly, fans like touchdowns and so therefore, so do those who vote in the Heisman considerations.
Honestly, the likelihood of Andre Williams winning the Heisman this season are remote but nevertheless, he is running into the record books as one of the greatest rushers in Boston College history. He is strong, he is resilient and no matter the adversity put before him, he has persevered in 2013. Win or lose, 2013 will be a season to remember for BC fans and frankly, Andre Williams is the reason why.
Shown above is a perfect example of Williams at his absolute, tackle breaking, best
