Williams comes up big for Hogs
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: Sports
LITTLE ROCK-D.J. Williams calls Little Rock home.
The sophomore tight end played the third game of his career in his hometown Saturday night and was the Razorbacks go-to receiver in the second half as Arkansas overcame a 27-14 fourth quarter deficit to eventually win 28-27 at War Memorial Stadium.
Williams finished his night with 5 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, all career-bests for the sophomore.
"We knew from the spring that he had the opportunity to be a great player for us," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "He helps us out so much in the red zone and on third down."
His first touchdown catch brought Arkansas to within 24-12 when he caught an offering from Dick from 8 yards out, which was his first touchdown as a Razorback.
He then caught the two-point conversion pass, as he found a seam in the Warhawk defense near the sideline.
Williams definitely felt good about his performance in front of his family and friends.
"It feels pretty good doing it in your backyard," Williams said. "We had great fan support, and the crowd was great in Little Rock, and we loved it. It was a great game.
For the second straight week, quarterback Casey Dick directed his first pass at Williams. The pass was good for 21 yards and a Razorback first down.
"He's a guy that we feel if he has a linebacker on him, it's a big mismatch," Dick said of Williams. "We just try to find ways to get him the ball, and it usually works out for us."
Williams' biggest contribution to the game came early in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 76-yard reception from Dick that took very little time off the clock and allowed Arkansas to grab a quick score.
The 76-yard play was the longest play for the Razorbacks this season and the longest pass reception by an Arkansas player since Richard Smith's 92-yard touchdown catch versus the Tennessee Volunteers in 2002.
"On that long pass, he definitely showed his speed with the yards after catch," Petrino said.
The sophomore tight end played the third game of his career in his hometown Saturday night and was the Razorbacks go-to receiver in the second half as Arkansas overcame a 27-14 fourth quarter deficit to eventually win 28-27 at War Memorial Stadium.
Williams finished his night with 5 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, all career-bests for the sophomore.
"We knew from the spring that he had the opportunity to be a great player for us," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "He helps us out so much in the red zone and on third down."
His first touchdown catch brought Arkansas to within 24-12 when he caught an offering from Dick from 8 yards out, which was his first touchdown as a Razorback.
He then caught the two-point conversion pass, as he found a seam in the Warhawk defense near the sideline.
Williams definitely felt good about his performance in front of his family and friends.
"It feels pretty good doing it in your backyard," Williams said. "We had great fan support, and the crowd was great in Little Rock, and we loved it. It was a great game.
For the second straight week, quarterback Casey Dick directed his first pass at Williams. The pass was good for 21 yards and a Razorback first down.
"He's a guy that we feel if he has a linebacker on him, it's a big mismatch," Dick said of Williams. "We just try to find ways to get him the ball, and it usually works out for us."
Williams' biggest contribution to the game came early in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 76-yard reception from Dick that took very little time off the clock and allowed Arkansas to grab a quick score.
The 76-yard play was the longest play for the Razorbacks this season and the longest pass reception by an Arkansas player since Richard Smith's 92-yard touchdown catch versus the Tennessee Volunteers in 2002.
"On that long pass, he definitely showed his speed with the yards after catch," Petrino said.
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