Season Statistics
Games - 6
Receiving Yards - 555
Receptions - 39
Touchdowns - 4
Early in the season, the running game was the Cardinals' strong suit on offense. The Cardinals have since shifted to a pass-heavy offense led by senior wide receiver Jordan Williams.
Freshman quarterback Riley Neal has appeared to find a favorite in Williams, who continues to dominate the Cardinals' receiving game.
“I have the most confidence in Jordan, but I feel that way about all of our receivers,” Neal said. “They’re all great receivers and capable of doing great things. So it’s not just Jordan, but yes it’s Jordan, too.”
Williams has the appearance of an NFL caliber-receiver, the 6-foot-3-inch, 228-pound wide-out has a reach over cornerbacks, which has benefited the Cardinal offense all season.
In a 59-41 loss against Northern Illinois, Williams led all receivers with 108 yards on nine receptions for an average of 12 yards per reception. Right behind him was KeVonn Mabon with 99 yards and a touchdown, marking his best game of the season.
Williams is having an impressive season despite his summer injuries.
“I’m proud of Jordan… he missed almost all of the preseason,” Lembo said. “This last two, three weeks he is really stepping up and starting to play at the level we believe he is capable of.”
Opposing defenses have opened up opportunities for the Cardinal receiving core. Since conference play, the Cardinals' backfield has been less productive.
As a team, the Cardinals were once again able to pass the century mark in rushing yards, but no single running back ran for more than 100 yards since Darian Green's 164-yard performance against Eastern Michigan a few weeks ago.
The passing game has opened up the rushing game for the Cardinals as well; though the numbers may not show it, the offense is forcing defenses to second guess more often.
Williams is one of two senior wide receivers and his production is nothing less than what Lembo expects.
“I just had an expectation from coach Lembo and the coaching staff to step up and be a leader,” Williams said. “The better job I do at that, the more it shows on the field.”
In just six games, Williams has racked up 555 yards through the air, and Saturday marked his third game this season where he has passed 100 yards in a single game.
He is currently on pace to gather over 1,000 receiving yards this season, as the Cardinals get deeper into conference play.
The Cardinals' offensive production continues to dominate this season as Lembo is going to the air more and more.
Neal had a career day against the Huskies, despite the loss, throwing the ball more than 50 times in his effort.
Defensive struggles have also led to the Cardinals into being forced to throw the ball more, but collectively the unit continues to impress.
The Cardinals will return home for three straight home games, the first of which will be against Georgia State at 3 p.m. Oct. 17.
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