Va. Tech Notes: Williams sets rushing records

Williams sets rushing records

On his ninth carry in Virginia Tech's win over N.C. State, Hokies tailback Ryan Williams became the most productive freshman rusher in ACC and Tech history.

With a 10-yard gain, Williams, a redshirt freshman, eclipsed both records, set last season by Tech redshirt freshman Darren Evans, who ran for 1,265 yards. Evans suffered a season-ending knee injury in August.

Williams, who finished with 32 carries for 120 yards, cracked 100 yards for the eighth time in 11 games this season. He also ran for four touchdowns, tying Tech's freshman record for most touchdowns in a game, set by running back Tommy Edwards in 1993 against Pittsburgh. Williams now has 15 rushing TDs this season.

His 1,355 yards this season rank third on Tech's single-season list, behind Cyrus Lawrence's 1,403 in 1981 and Kevin Jones' 1,647 in 2003.

Grimm ties NCAA forced-fumbles mark

Tech's defense started quickly yesterday, as senior whip linebacker Cody Grimm forced three fumbles on the first four plays. Grimm's three forced fumbles in a game tied an NCAA record, shared by seven other players. The most recent, before Grimm: Rutgers' Ramel Meekins against Navy in 2006.

On the game's first play, Grimm hit N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson, a Collegiate graduate, from behind. Grimm recovered the ball, giving Tech possession at the Wolfpack's 34. The Hokies got a field goal on their ensuing drive.

On the second play of N.C. State's next drive, Grimm stripped the ball from wide receiver Darrell Davis. Corner Stephan Virgil recovered. Tech took over at State's 25 - field position the Hokies turned into a TD.

Grimm also jarred the ball loose from running back Toney Baker on the first play of the next drive, but receiver Owen Spencer jumped on it.

Wild turkey returns

Hokies tight end Greg Boone, a quarterback in high school, lined up there for 20 plays last season - a formation that became known as the wild turkey. Those plays accounted for 85 yards. But this season, the Hokies ran the wild turkey just once, with Ryan Williams against Nebraska.

On senior day yesterday, Boone, a senior, returned to the wild turkey on the second half's second play. After the crowd shouted "Booooone!" he handed off to receiver Dyrell Roberts for a 6-yard end-around.

Two plays later, Boone kept the ball for 4 yards. On the first play of the next drive, from N.C. State's 31, he threw his first career pass. But safety Brandan Bishop deflected it away from receiver Jarrett Boykin the end zone. On the next drive, Boone ran his fourth and final wild turkey play - a 5-yard run.

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who also coaches the tight ends, told Boone before the game that he was going to use him in the wild turkey. "I had been looking forward to it all season," Boone said. - Darryl Slater