One carry. That?s all Towson University running back Nick Williams needed to get his 2005 season under way.
That carry last year went for a 61-yards touchdown, with Williams dusting a speedy Morgan State secondary. Now, Williams is the one trying to catch up after missing the Tigers? first three gamesof 2006 ? all victories ? with a hamstring injury.
His return couldn?t come at a better time. Towson is now ranked No. 21 in the country, and it opens its Atlantic 10 Conference schedule Saturday at Hofstra (1-1).
“We?ve realized we can play in this league; we can play great,” Williams said. “Everybody is starting to believe and everybody is working harder than before.”
Williams practiced three days last week, and Towson coach Gordy Combs has seen no lingering issues from the injury.
“There were no after-effects,” Combs said. “And if we would have had to, we could have played him [against Liberty] Saturday night.”
Combs expects to get Williams about 10 to 15 carries Saturday.
“Depending on how well he plays, that?s another factor in how much oil we get out of him,” Combs said.
When healthy, Williams will ideally get 20 to 25 carries a game, according to Combs.
“He?s so explosive as a runner,” Combs said. “He has that ability to accelerate in a short period of time.”
Last season, Williams rushed for 911 yards and seven touchdowns, with an average of 4.7 yards per carry.
But the Towson offense will benefit in more ways that simply returning his big-play ability. He takes the focus off Towson?s high-powered passing attack, led by sophomore quarterback Sean Schaefer.
“The main thing that he brings is protection, as far as blocking,” Schaefer said. “He always brings another level, as far as showing me who?s blitzing.”
While Williams? experience and leadership was missed in the first three contests, Towson?s running game has developed depth in his absence. Still, Combs is eager to get his main horse back up and running.
“He might be awful sore when he gets up Sunday,” Combs said. “He?s just got to get back into the shape of a football player.”
The Williams file
» Age: 21
» Height: 5-foot-8
» Weight: 210 pounds
» Did you know? Williams has tallied 20 goals and 13 assists over three years (and 46 games) as a midfielder for the Tigers lacrosse team ? Williams transferred from the Naval Academy Prep School in Rhode Island, where he played football and lacrosse ? Runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.
