Utah's Joe Williams rushes for 332 yards one month after retiring

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:22 p.m. ET

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Barry Werner

The most important vote in Utah this election year came from the Utes' leadership council, which unanimously welcomed Joe Williams back a month after he retired.

It isn't often that injuries are fortuitous for a football team but when the running back corps was depleted, Utah turned to the running back who had previously left the team citing he was no longer mentally or physically up for the rigors of football.

All he has done is rush for more than 500 yards in two games, including 332 yards and four touchdowns in the Utes' 52-45 shootout win over UCLA Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

He was even awarded the game ball after Utah's victory.

Williams' surge has been totally unlikely. He left the team on Sept. 13.

Per Sltrib.com:

Senior running back Joe Williams has retired from football to finish his sociology degree. Meeting with the media in street clothes following Tuesday's practice, Williams said nagging injuries and a loss of desire led him to meet with coach Kyle Whittingham this week.

"Knowing how my body's been these past couple months, where I'm at mentally and physically, I'm not at the point where I can compete at the level I need to for the team and everybody," he said. "I feel as though this is the right decision. I'm going to miss it, of course. These guys are my family and [I] love these boys to death. But it's for the best interests."

Williams ran for 179 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries upon his return against Oregon State last week.

Next up for Williams and the 7-1 Utes is a Pac-12 home clash with Washington.

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