Tag: Boom Williams

No bowl pressure but Cats won’t lose focus on Cards

Jojo Kemp (3) knows he is going bowling this year. (Photo by Elliott Hess | UK Athletics)

Jojo Kemp (3) knows he is going bowling this year. (Photo by Elliott Hess | UK Athletics)

By LARRY VAUGHT

The pressure to get bowl eligible is off Kentucky, but freshman running back Benny Snell that should not change anything about Saturday’s game at Louisville.

“I’m going to say it’s a regular week. You know a little bit of the pressure is off but we’re going against a really good team and we’ve been playing a bunch of really good teams earlier in the season. You have to prepare for them. That’s all I can really say,” Snell said after Saturday’s win over Austin Peay.  Read more... (361 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Hosting Leach Report, then Cat Calls with Stanley Williams Sr.

Mike Pratt, right, with former Cats Louie Dampier, left, and Bill Busey. (Larry Vaught/Verizon Photo)

Mike Pratt, right, with former Cats Louie Dampier, left, and Bill Busey. (Larry Vaught/Verizon Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Going to be a big day of radio for me on Thursday.

I will host The Leach Report on WLAP (630 AM) while Tom Leach recharges his battery before a big month of both football and basketball.

As usual, Tom has Justin Rowland of Catsillustrated.com scheduled as usual on Thursday. We’ll spend about 20 minutes discussing UK’s upcoming game with Georgia as well as what winning maybe has done for UK football recruiting.  Read more... (408 words, 2 images, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Guest post: Do not overlook what receivers are contributing to UK’s success

Tavin Richardson (Wade Upchurch Photo)

Tavin Richardson (Wade Upchurch Photo)

By KEITH PEEL

There is no “I” in TEAM. I have heard that phrase repeated in sports all my life. Saturday’s huge win against Missouri on the road proved that again.

It was a complete team effort. The offensive line dominated the D-Line from Missouri. The running back tandem of  Boom Williams and Benny Snell, Jr. was phenomenal with almost 400 yards rushing between the two.  Read more... (439 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Boom Williams has learned to handle adversity

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for the second half of Kentucky’s football season is the way Boom Williams handled the adversity from UK’s win over Vanderbilt.

The junior running back is UK’s leading rusher, but he fumbled early in the second half and Vandy returned it for a score. After that, offensive coordinator Eddie Gran went with running backs JoJo Kemp and fan favorite Benny Snell.

Last year that would have infuriated Williams. This time he seems to have taken it in stride.  Read more... (288 words, 1 image, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

Gran says Boom Williams “will be just fine”

Boom Williams (Keith Taylor Photo)

Boom Williams (Keith Taylor Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

When Boom Williams was taken out of a game last season and didn’t like it, he let everyone know and may have even temporarily left the team even though that report was never confirmed.

Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran said all summer he need Williams to mature physically and mentally. Apparently he has.

The junior running back fumbled against Vanderbilt last week and the ball was returned for a score in the third quarter. Williams never got back in the game because JoJo Kemp and Benny Snell both came in and ran well.  Read more... (295 words, 1 image, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Boom Williams knows UK offense needed boost from Johnson and Snell

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Boom Williams is Kentucky’s most explosive offensive player and had a terrific game against New Mexico State last week even if he was overshadowed by the emergence of backup quarterback Stephen Johnson and backup running back Benny Snell in the 62-42 win.

“It was nice to get points on the board and have fun,” said Williams. “Stephen came in and did a nice job. He took over the offense and extended plays and drive. That was really good for us.”

What about Snell?  Read more... (256 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

Gran likes running backs’ attitudes

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

With the way Kentucky’s offense has struggled the last six quarters, one would think UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran might want to get the ball to more people, or maybe different players, Saturday against New Mexico State.

“Whoever we pick to go, they’ve got to do their job. If we get other guys involved then we can go. I like right now where our running backs are in terms of their attitude and getting some of those guys in there, keeping those guys fresh,” Gran said.  Read more... (311 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

Boom Williams: “A lot went wrong in the second half.”

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

What went wrong in the second half of Kentucky’s loss to Southern Mississippi Saturday night when the Cats were outscored 27-0.

For junior running back Boom Williams, it was not a hard question.

“A lot went wrong in the second half,” Williams said. “We know this one will hurt, but we have a big one in The Swamp next week.”

Williams had a 36-yard run and averaged 7.2 yards per rush. However, he had just 13 attempts because UK ran only 50 plays.  Read more... (181 words, 1 image, estimated 43 secs reading time)

Boom Williams gets “whacked” in scrimmage

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

Boom Williams (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

For the first time during preseason camp, Kentucky running back Boom Williams got some contact work in Saturday’s scrimmage.

He has been held out of contact because of an injury but Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said he had some carries Saturday and also made blitz pick-ups.

“Put him in some stressful situations. He didn’t get a ton of reps, but he probably got 10 live reps or so, or more. Carries the ball, and it was good to see him go to the ground and take good, physical tackles,” Stoops said.  Read more... (253 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

Boom Williams says he is 100 percent healthy

Boom Williams

Boom Williams

By LARRY VAUGHT

Boom Williams says he is 100 percent healthy and that’s good news for the Kentucky offense.

Williams, a junior running back, injured his elbow against Louisville in UK’s final game last year and missed most of spring practice. He could not have contact but did participate in some drills and watched film.

“It should be very fun to go out there and do the things with my teammates. I just want to go out there and practice and get back in rhythm,” Williams, who rushed for 855 yards and six scores in 10 games last year, said Friday at UK’s Media Day.  Read more... (284 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)