Williams gives team big boost

There was a lot for Cedric Thomas to be happy about in the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s 52-34 dismantling of Alabama A&M on Saturday, but the secondyear coach was extra giddy about what he saw from running back KeShawn Williams.

The senior earned Stats FCS National Player of the Week honorable mention recognition after carrying 21 times for a career-high 180 yards to help the Golden Lions beat the Bulldogs in Huntsville, Ala., for the first time since 1999. Williams also caught 3 passes for 18 yards and returned 2 kickoffs for 74 yards.

Not bad for a guy who hadn’t played a meaningful down for nearly two years prior to the team’s season opener Sept. 7 at TCU.

“Just awesome,” Thomas said of Williams’ effort. “We had a chance to play against KeShawn when I was at Alcorn, and we knew then what type of back he was. But I understand the bloodline.”

KeShawn’s father, Kevin Williams, starred at nearby Pine Bluff Dollarway in the mid-1990s and began his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas before transferring to UAPB. Thomas and Kevin Williams were teammates during their playing days for the Golden Lions, which is where his bond with the Williams’ family began. Thomas noted that he’s been particularly impressed with the way KeShawn Williams has been able to bounce back.

Williams was among the rushing leaders in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2017 before he tore his ACL after just eight carries during a loss to Prairie View A&M in the penultimate game of the season. The injury forced Williams to miss all of last season, something Thomas said cut deeply.

“He’s a special kid to me. … he was in that dorm room when I was in school here because me and his dad are like best friends,” he explained. “To just see [KeShawn] maturate to where he is now. We got in, and he wanted to be a part of it so bad last year…. he was champing at the bit to come in and help me turn this thing around.

“But I just told him, ‘If you’re not 100 percent from a psychological standpoint, out of respect for your family, I’m not going [to] put you out there.’ Still, to watch him work and come out during practice the whole year while he sat out is really a blessing.”

Williams’ return bolstered a backfield that already featured reigning league rushing champ Taeyler Porter, who ran for 135 yards on 18 carries and 1 touchdown against Alabama A&M. The one-two punch gave the Bulldogs fits all game, and Thomas is hoping that continues throughout the season.

“Just watching him and Taeyler fellowship together and have that unselfish spirit is a blessing,” he said. “A lot of people counted KeShawn out with that injury. I’m just really enthused, really blessed and honored at the success that he’s having right now.”

Williams