Boston College’s Andre Williams joined a select group of running backs Saturday. It’s a list that includes the like of Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, Ladainian Tomlinson, Rickey Williams, and Ray Rice. Williams became just the 15th rusher in NCAA history to rush for over 2000 yards, and he still has another game to go. 4 out 14 previous 2000 yard rushers won the Heisman, Marcus Allen (1981), Mike Rozier (1983), Barry Sanders (1988), Ricky Williams (1998). That’s nearly 30% of the 2000 yard plus club that won the Heisman.
If you saw the game Saturday against Maryland, Williams rushed for another 260+ and willed his Boston College team to victory. He was simultaneously limping and breaking off big runs late in the game to position Boston College for the win.
With another big game next week against Syracuse he could be looking at one of the 5 greatest rushing seasons in collegiate football history. Look below at what he is averaging in his last 3 games, all wins by Boston College.
Boston College RB Andre Williams ran for 265 yards today, lowest output of the last 3 weeks. AVERAGING 299 yards per game in that span.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 24, 2013
Boston College now sits 7-4, and it’s been remarkable turnaround for a team that last year 2-10 and the year before was 4-8. Others are taking notice as well.
From CollegeFootballTalk.NBCSports discussing WIlliam’s Heisman chances…
“Could a Heisman race that has been dominated by quarterbacks suddenly have room for a running back?
If Andre Williams keeps this up, he might make a case for being selected as a Heisman finalist.”
Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel should be finished as candidates after forgettable performances Saturday in blowout losses to Arizona and LSU.
5 Days ago ESPN had Mariota, and Manziel in their top 5 Heisman List. Bryce Petty of Baylor is also in the top 5, but is currently struggling against Oklahoma St. Fair or not the Heisman race is a lot like the BCS race. You can lose early and build momentum, but don’t get beat playing poorly late. Williams was surprisingly 11th, but I guarantee that won’t the case after this week WR Mike Evans of Texas A&M was ahead of Williams as well. Drop him down the list.
Now this is ACC Blog, and here’s something that could be a truly astonishing. Florida State’s Jameis Winston is a lock for NYC, but Clemson’s Tajh Boyd was 7th prior to the Heisman fallout of Saturday. Should Clemson beat a highly ranked South Carolina on the road you’d have to say Tajh Boyd would stand a good chance at NYC. That would potentially give the ACC 3 of the 5 Heisman Finalists in NYC.
It’s not out of the question. Winston and Boyd have been in the Heisman discussion just about all year, but Williams has made a push in recent weeks due to his ridiculous rushing numbers.
Andre Williams and his historically great rushing season deserves an invite to New York City.
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