Sophomore wide receiver Jordan Williams has had multiple “breakout“ games this season.
From the season opener against Illinois State University, where he caught six passes for 64 yards and scored a touchdown, to a road game against the University of Virginia, where he caught a then season-high nine passes, Williams has proven himself to be a viable threat opposite 2012 All-Mid-American Conference junior wide receiver Willie Snead.
That was no different Saturday in Ball State’s 42-24 win over the University of Akron.
“He’s matured quite a bit since last year,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “We saw it starting to come in the spring. We saw it a little bit during preseason.”
Williams caught a season-high 12 passes for 124 yards during the game. He also scored two touchdowns in the game.
The first came just before the half as Williams maneuvered his way inside on a slant route. Senior quarterback Keith Wenning hit him right in the chest at the 3-yard line. An Akron cornerback tackled Williams after he caught the pass, but Williams stretched himself over the goal line.
While Snead is 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, Williams is 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds.
Snead’s calling card is precise route running and making difficult catches, while Williams uses his size and athleticism to outmuscle and outfight defenders for the football.
Williams caught the second touchdown pass against Akron on a bubble screen Saturday. Lined up on the left, he caught the pass from Wenning with senior tight end Zane Fakes, junior running back Jahwan Edwards and a pair of linemen blocking in front of him.
With blocking help ahead, Williams ran the 20 yards untouched into the end zone.
Williams has been a consistent force on the outside for Ball State. He hasn’t had fewer than four passes in any game this season. His receiving yards total has dipped below 60 yards once this season.
“Throughout the season, he’s been pretty steady for us,” Lembo said.
While he didn’t reach his career-high in receiving yards — 159 yards at Virginia — Williams did have the second most receiving yards in his career.
While it may be difficult to pinpoint Williams’ breakout game, it isn’t difficult to find that 2013 is his breakout season.
As a freshman, Williams didn’t catch any passes, but he did have one rush for four yards.
Lembo attributed Williams’ game to his practice habits.
“That goes back to practicing,” he said. “Jordan had a really good week of practice. We had a really good week of practice as a team. Guys are understanding that the better they prepare, the better chance they have on Saturday.“
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