Catch Was Vintage Williams, But He Expects More
December 01, 2014 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
PULLMAN, Wash. – It was vintage Kasen Williams.
In the second quarter of Washington's Apple Cup win over Washington State, the Huskies wanted to take advantage of the senior's 6-foot-3 frame and leaping ability.
Quarterback Cyler Miles dropped back to pass and lofted the ball into the end zone where Williams elevated above the defensive back for a 5-yard touchdown that gave Washington a two-score lead en route to a 31-13 victory.
“I'm happy to get him that opportunity,” Miles said. “I know he's going to go up and get it for me. That's what he did. I've got a lot of great guys around me, including Kasen. He went up and got the ball just like I expected.”
After spending most of the season getting his timing back after suffering a devastating left-foot injury last year, Williams spent the offseason working to get healthy. He then spent much of the 2014 campaign regaining his strength and timing.
Against the Cougars, though, he looked like the player who hurdled a Washington State defensive back as a freshman before catching a touchdown pass on the next play.
Williams, who helped the Huskies win three of the four Apple Cups he played in, finished Saturday's game with three catches for 25 yards. His stats weren't gaudy, but Miles seemed determined to get the receiver involved, especially when Washington was in the red zone.
“I felt like I was in there a little bit more,” Williams said. “I felt like I had more opportunities than usual.”
When asked about Williams' performance, John Ross said he was excited his teammate was able to find the end zone in his last Apple Cup.
“He works so hard,” Ross said. “He does everything right. To see him work hard and score, it's always great.”
Williams was happy he could help the Huskies by hauling in a touchdown pass, but he is always his harshest critic, so he wasn't satisfied with his performance.
“I'd much rather have you ask me how does it feel to have two touchdowns, because I had that opportunity and I didn't take advantage of that opportunity,” Williams said. “That one touchdown, yeah, it felt good, but I know I'm 100 percent and I know I'm the player from before, so being a critic of myself and trying to get better, I needed that second one.”
Williams has one game remaining in his college career. He plans to make the bowl appearance memorable and finish with the two-touchdown game that was within in reach against Washington State.
Why stop at two?
“I'm trying to get three or four,” he said.
