In a Heisman Trophy race that has been as hard to read as any in recent history, Andre Williams burst onto the scene with numbers that were too gaudy to ignore.
But Saturday the opposition and Williams' health did little to help his cause.
The Boston College senior running back was held to just 29 yards in a 34-31 loss to Syracuse in which he played a little more than two quarters.
Williams, already the 16th player in FBS history to run for 2,000 yards in a single season, had run for 897 yard the last three weeks. But he couldn't solve the Orange, whose defense has yet to allow a 100-yard runner this season.
Williams delivered a 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but outside of that he had minus-2 yards on his other seven carries before halftime. He he was hit hard on his first carry of the second half and was taken to the locker room with an apparent shoulder injury. While he returned to the sideline, Williams did not get back into the game.
Despite his short day, and struggles when he was in, Williams did become just the ninth player to surpass the 2,100-mark. But this was a step backward just as he was getting serious Heisman buzz, not just courtesy talk, and it is certain to have an impact on his chances.
The last four players to go over 2,000 yards weren't even invited to the ceremony, with Larry Johnson (2002), the last one who did make it to New York.
Further complicating matters, the Eagles are now 7-5 and 4-4 in the ACC. That record would make Williams the Heisman winner with the fewest wins since Steve Owens won on a 6-4 Oklahoma team in 1969.
Considering so many contenders have faltered -- Johnny Manziel, Marcus Mariota, Bryce Petty, Aaron Murray and on and on -- hitting a milestone statistic gives Williams something to hang a candidacy on.
But in his last chance to impress voters before ballots are due on Dec. 9, Williams didn't deliver, even if his opportunities were limited by injury. Now, you have to wonder if he can even earn a trip to the ceremony?
