Ohio State running back Miyan Williams named B1G offensive player of the week
COLUMBUS — Miyan Williams made one cut in the backfield and before the defense had time to adjust, he vanished.
Williams ran 70 yards through the heart of the Rutgers defense on Saturday for his fourth touchdown of the game. His long touchdown run was the highlight of the most productive day in the third-year running back’s career and set the tone for the rest of Williams’ season.
And those around the conference noticed his efforts as Miyan Williams was named the Big Ten offensive player of the week.
Williams totaled 189 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries in No. 3 Ohio State’s 49-10 win over Rutgers on Saturday.
His five rushing touchdowns tied the most scored in a game with Pete Johnson (1974) and Keith Byars (1984) and Williams called it a blessing to be in the same mention as record holders.
“It’s a blessing just to be up there with those names,” Williams said. “Those are legends here. So yes, definitely a blessing.”
Williams has been a consistent and reliable back for the Buckeyes all season long. With second-year tailback TreVeyon Henderson working through an injury, Williams has taken over for Ohio State. He totals 497 rushing yards on 64 carries with eight touchdowns.
Ohio State averages 226.2 rushing yards per game and has leaned on its ground game throughout the season.
A big part of that production comes from Williams — particularly in the red zone.
“It says a lot about the way he was running, especially in the red zone,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said after the Rutgers game. “I think our red zone numbers right now really good. … Miyan was running hard today and finished a bunch of runs in positive. He turns a 3-yard run into 5, keeps us on schedule. It was tough down there in the red zone. They kind of dug in a few times, we had to go forward on the fourth down. But Miyan had a really good day for us.”
Miyan Williams and Ohio State begin preparation for the first road game of the season this weekend with a trip to Michigan State on the horizon.
