Forgotten man Bryce Williams shows he's still a dependable running back

BleedGopher

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Per La Velle:

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck found an old button and sat it on the his office desk in the days leading up to their meeting with Nebraska. It was a button of running back Bryce Williams from his youth football days, given to Fleck by Williams' mother the day he committed.

"Pulled it out this week. Put it on my desk," Fleck said. "Just let it sit there. Because I knew he was going to have to have a big week for us."


With the Gophers down to their third options at running back following season-ending injuries to Mo Ibrahim and Trey Potts, Williams was needed to contribute like he did as a true freshman in 2018. And No. 21 didn't forget how to carry the load.

Williams rushed for 127 yards on 17 carries on Saturday, including a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the Gophers' 30-23 win over Nebraska.


Go Gophers!!
 


I bet it took Nebraska by surprise. They were probably game planning for Irving and Thomas.
 

I like this running by committee.
 

Grimmer said after Friday walk thru, Fleck announced Williams as a game captain..
Grimmer said it was most fired up response he had seen from the team at that weekly event...beloved by teammates
Yep, guys like him are why I love college football. He was replaced by some great RBs and worked his ass off and found his niche. Even before Saturday, he was seeing the field because he was our best blocker at the RB position. Guys in his shoes often hop in the transfer portal (and I don't even blame them) but instead he built his own path to PT. That kind of mindsight will be huge asset to him once he's done with football.
 


Got a project for those that are great at seeking out information. What is the record for most different RB's to record a 100+ yard game for a team in the same season?

Ibrahim, Potts, and Williams have all done it for us so far this year. And it doesn't seem too far fetched to think Irving and Thomas both have 100 yard games in them.

In 2018 - Brooks, Smith and Ibrahim all did it and I know under Mason there were years where 3 guys pulled it off, but have we gotten higher than 3?

I am sure one of the wishbone teams has done it with a bunch of players. Just kind of curious but don't know the best way to go about tracking down this kind of info.
 

Got a project for those that are great at seeking out information. What is the record for most different RB's to record a 100+ yard game for a team in the same season?

Ibrahim, Potts, and Williams have all done it for us so far this year. And it doesn't seem too far fetched to think Irving and Thomas both have 100 yard games in them.

In 2018 - Brooks, Smith and Ibrahim all did it and I know under Mason there were years where 3 guys pulled it off, but have we gotten higher than 3?

I am sure one of the wishbone teams has done it with a bunch of players. Just kind of curious but don't know the best way to go about tracking down this kind of info.
I think this 2021 team may just get the record. I would have to think of the Mason Era. with Lawrence Maroney, Amir Pinnix, and Marion Barber. I could be wrong.

Ibrahim
Potts
Williams
Irving - work in progress
Thomas - work in progress
Wiley - ? Has he fallen off the depth chart?
Jelen - ? out for the season?
 

I think this 2021 team may just get the record. I would have to think of the Mason Era. with Lawrence Maroney, Amir Pinnix, and Marion Barber. I could be wrong.

Ibrahim
Potts
Williams
Irving - work in progress
Thomas - work in progress
Wiley - ? Has he fallen off the depth chart?
Jelen - ? out for the season?
Don't know the numbers...but don't forget Mr. Tapeh. Very important in the Barber and Maroney days. Maybe not the absolute yards but the other two depended on his blocking...and he did get the ball on multiple occassions.

Those were fun seasons to watch on offense. Throw in Eslinger and the supporting cast and it only gets better.
 




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