Consistency key to William’s success
Senior Terran Williams has been consistent for the Frogs on punt returns, gaining positive yards and taking tough hits.
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

When head coach Gary Patterson spoke Tuesday about the leadership of some of his players, one of the players he mentioned was senior wide receiver/returner Terran Williams.

The fastest of the Horned Frogs (he has been clocked at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash), Williams has become a full-time returner for the team this season. Williams said he has been waiting his turn for the opportunity.

“I’ve always been in the rotation on punts,” Williams said. “For a couple of years we had upper classmen doing it, and I’ve always been behind them. This year I guess it’s just my turn.”

Williams made the most of his opportunity in his first game of the season.

Against Cincinnati in the season opener, Williams took a punt 70-yards for a touchdown, causing Bearcat punter Chet Ervin to almost trip over himself in the process.

Special teams coach Dan Sharp said it takes a special player to return punts.

“The thing that he’s got is guts,” Sharp said. “With the way the halo rule is, you got to have a guy back there with some stones on him that’s not afraid to catch it when a guy’s coming down there ready to light him up.”

The halo rule that Sharp was referring to is the rule that allows a returner to have space to catch a punt. The punt coverage team must allow a returner three yards of space to make a clean catch. The team is penalized 10 yards if they come in the space without touching him, and 15 yards if they do make contact with the returner.

This is to protect the returner, who is defenseless to the hit as a result of standing still waiting for the ball.

“It gives returners the opportunity to catch the ball supposedly without getting hit,” Sharp said. “It gives the good ones time to catch the ball, see the hole, make a reaction and go.”

There are some instances though when the space is not respected, as Williams can attest.

In the Oct. 30 game against Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles received two 15-yard personal fouls when they did not hesitate in hitting Williams before he fully received the football.

“It seems like every game they try to do that,” Williams said. “I don’t know if it’s a compliment or they just don’t know the returns.”

Hardly ever calling for a fair catch, Williams averages 9.45 yards a return, good enough for 70th in the nation.

While he may not be flashy, he is consistent, always taking the ball forward. There are returners who will try to fake the defenders completely out of their shoes before even making a move forwards.

Williams said his straight ahead style not only allows him to utilize his speed, but it’s the style the team prefers.

He also said when he gets a chance to use that speed, there is only thing on his mind.
Touchdown.

Danny Gillham