Iowa
Leshon Williams Progressing at Complete Back
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Leshon Williams didn’t have to dam many blitzing linebackers in highschool.
That modified, after all, when the operating again obtained to Iowa.
And there’s an enormous studying curve going from not blocking anybody to blocking a blitzing Jack Campbell.
“Jack, that’s an enormous dude,” Williams mentioned this week, laughing on the considered the primary time he obtained hit by a participant 5 inches taller and 38 kilos heavier. “The primary time he did it, it was most likely loopy. Blacked out.”
All of that’s, after all, a part of the educational course of to being a operating again with the Hawkeyes. It’s about figuring out the little issues.
“There’s much more than simply operating the ball,” Williams mentioned. “Recognizing blitzes, play formations, how the D-linemen are going to slip.. Much more ideas and tips that I have to know.”
Williams redshirted in 2020, and performed simply three video games final season. Now, he’s a part of a tandem with Gavin Williams that may take over the first speeding duties left behind by Tyler Goodson, who rushed for 1,151 yards final season earlier than leaving for the NFL draft.
“It offers us each a chance to point out what we will do,” Leshon mentioned.
The gradual strategy of getting carries was simply one thing Williams needed to perceive.
“No person who comes into Division I soccer needs to sit down behind anyone,” he mentioned. “You’ve simply obtained to mature and study that the man in entrance of you, he’s simply nearly as good, too. So study as a lot as you may, and your time will come.”
Scroll to Proceed
The time got here within the Citrus Bowl in opposition to Kentucky, when the Williams duo took over for Goodson, who skipped the sport. Gavin rushed for 98 yards, whereas Leshon rushed for 42. Earlier than that sport, Leshon had simply 11 carries. He had 10 within the bowl sport, a workload he expects will develop this season.
Leshon mentioned he left some yardage on the sphere.
“I really feel like I might have made a few individuals miss, as an alternative of simply operating them over,” he mentioned. “It’s all proper. It’s only a begin.”
Williams mentioned he’s greater than an influence again.
“I’m not going to say that’s all me,” he mentioned. “I can shake, too. However within the Citrus Bowl, it simply regarded like I used to be an aggressive man. I’ve obtained a bit of shake to me, you’ll see it this 12 months. But when it does get downhill, I can do this too.
“I’m comfy operating in any respect. Inside, outdoors, no matter you want.”
Iowa’s zone blocking scheme was one thing else Williams needed to study.
“Any run sport takes endurance,” he mentioned. “You possibly can’t simply hit (the holes) arduous. An amazing operating again, you must arrange the whole lot. All good operating backs must have some endurance.”
Endurance has gotten Williams an opportunity to run.
“On the finish of the day, it’s simply operating the ball,” he mentioned. “And that’s what I’m greatest at. It’s simply pure to me.”
18th-ranked Cyclones have won 5 straight conference road games for the first time in program history
Iowa State entered Saturday night’s Big 12 football Tcopener at Houston seeking its first 4-0 start since 2000.
Las Vegas oddsmakers crowned the No. 18 Cyclones double-digit road favorites — and their head coach, Matt Campbell, stood one victory away from the program’s all-time wins record.
But the struggling Cougars (1-4, 0-2) clawed up that feel-good script early before ISU (4-0, 1-0) seized control in the second half to record a convincing 20-0 victory at TDECU Stadium.
Campbell now owns 57 wins as ISU’s coach — one more than Dan McCarney — and his wife and kids were flown to Houston to surprise him after the historic triumph.
“Coach Mac has been such a great mentor to us, so to even be in the same spectrum as him, I’m really grateful,” Campbell said on the Cyclone Radio Network. “We wouldn’t be here without him and his support, and the former players, what they’ve meant to our current players, it’s been really special.”
The Cyclones notched their fifth straight conference road victory dating back to last season — a feat never previously accomplished in program history. They also blanked a conference foe on the road for the first time since 1971 despite nursing a meager 3-0 lead at halftime.
“We kind of started out a little slow in the beginning, but it was a big emphasis to come out there and do better in the third quarter,” ISU safety Malik Verdon said.
Cue ISU star receiver Jayden Higgins, who broke the school record by catching a touchdown pass in his sixth consecutive game. Higgins’ 12-yard leaping grab on a deftly thrown ball by quarterback Rocco Becht put the Cyclones ahead, 10-0, with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter. He finished with a game-high eight receptions for 79 yards.
“Rocco just threw a great pass, ultimately,” Higgins said. “It’s awesome to be in the history books, (and) hopefully we can continue to do great things and, hopefully, I can continue to score touchdowns this year.”
Becht completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-low 153 yards. Tailback Abu Sama — thanks to a game-sealing 77-yard sprint to the end zone in the fourth quarter — topped the 100-yard mark for the first time this season. Fellow back Jaylon Jackson nearly did the same, but ended up with 96 yards on 14 carries — including a 50-yard run that helped set up a score.
“We complement each other really well,” Jackson said of ISU’s backfield. “We just continue trying to get better each and every game.”
The Cyclones eclipsed 235 rushing yards for the second straight game and outgained Houston 393 yards to 241.
The defense allowed the Cougars to convert just one of their 10 third-down opportunities and forced three turnovers. Verdon forced a fumble linebacker Jacob Ellis recovered to set up a field goal. Cornerback Jontez Williams intercepted a pass in the end zone on Houston’s most promising drive of the game and safety Jeremiah Cooper notched his seventh career interception late in the game to allow the offense to run out the clock. ISU now owns 10 takeaways this season — a number topped by just two FBS teams entering Saturday.
“We just wanted to come out and play our game; play harder for longer,” Williams said. “That was the main goal, just to go out there and attack those guys.”
It took a while to achieve that goal, but the Cyclones now enter next Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. home game against Baylor (2-3, 0-2) with a chance to start 5-0 for the first time in the modern era. And guess who will be there? McCarney, who was already scheduled to speak to ISU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams next weekend.
“I’ve felt nothing but respect and love when I go back to games, and I know that starts with Matt Campbell,” McCarney told me a week and a half ago. “He’s about as genuine as the day is long. He’s authentic. He’s a gift to all of us (who) love Iowa State.”
Comments: robgray18@icloud.com
Justin Herbert, Chargers had chances to beat the Chiefs but limped at the finish line
Marine Le Pen goes on trial over EU expenses scandal
Paris protesters demand end to Israeli strikes on Lebanon
California Blinks: Governor Newsom Vetoes AI Bill Aimed at Catastrophic Harms | KQED
Suspect arrested in California court explosion being investigated for past arson acts
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Paris protesters demand end to Israeli strikes on Lebanon
California Blinks: Governor Newsom Vetoes AI Bill Aimed at Catastrophic Harms | KQED
Social media critics rip Walz for celebrating Minnesota football rival, remind him he was booed: 'No loyalty'
Former Netanyahu rival Gideon Saar joins Israeli cabinet
The Pentagon says it wants to prevent Iran from spreading the conflict in the Middle East
-
News1 week agoVideo: Who Are the Black Swing Voters?
-
Politics1 week agoDem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
News1 week agoFour killed, dozens injured in Alabama shooting
-
News1 week agoMoney for cutting-edge climate technology could dry up in a second Trump term
-
News1 week agoElection 2024 Polls: Florida
-
World1 week agoCritics slam landmark EU competitiveness report as 'one-sided'
-
Politics1 week agoSecret Service protection bill passes House unanimously after Trump assassination attempts
-
/static.texastribune.org/media/files/5e5395400eb1f412fb6d97a439483caf/SpaceX%20Brownsville%20MGO%2005.jpeg "Cards Against Humanity says in new lawsuit that SpaceX has destroyed some of its South Texas property")
News1 week agoCards Against Humanity says in new lawsuit that SpaceX has destroyed some of its South Texas property