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PROVO — Jamaal Williams needs just 64 yards to become BYU’s all-time leading rusher, usurping the honor held by current graduate assistant Harvey Unga.
Barring injury or some incredible circumstance, the fifth-year senior is likely to take over the mantle this season — and even as soon as Friday night’s kickoff against Mississippi State (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN).
But don’t tell that to Williams; he’s not even thinking about it.
“Getting to the record is cool; I like it,” he said after practice Tuesday. “But it’s not my first priority. Still want to win games and have a winning season, so that’s pretty much it.”
The line is more than just wording, too. Take it from Squally Canada, Williams’ best friend and backup running back who has run for 113 yards and a touchdown for the Cougars (3-3).
When the two get together, football almost never comes up.
“When I’m with Jamaal, we don’t talk about football,” Canada said. “We play Madden; I killed him last game — but I won’t say too much about it. That’s the last thing on our minds.”
Canada has quietly come into his own as Williams’ primary backup at tailback in 2016. After the 5-foot-11 sophomore from Milpitas, California, transferred from Washington State, he’s slotted into his role behind the veteran Williams, who ranks No. 2 in the nation in rushing yards.
Even though Canada’s first career carry at BYU was fumbled in the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl, he’s quickly become the Cougars’ No. 2 tailback and No. 3 overall rusher behind quarterback Taysom Hill.
Canada’s improvement has seen him take the field more often, allowing him to read games and get into the vital rhythm necessary of a Division I tailback.
“Getting in rhythm has a lot to do with a running back,” he said. “It’s kind of like with a quarterback.
“I might not see all the holes, or run into my own lineman. But once you get a constant rhythm, you get into a groove and realize you can play with these guys. Then you just go out, hear the run play, and play. Having a rhythm is a big part.”
It also helps to run behind BYU’s offensive line, which is coming into its own midway through the season. And, of course, Canada made sure to credit his mentor Williams, who ranks second in the NCAA with 866 rushing yards and first with 10 rushing touchdowns.
“I’ve learned a lot from that man,” Canada said of Williams. “One thing I’ve learned from him is my footsteps. When I get the ball, I kept getting too wide on some zones … and he told me to stay square to help me see the hole a lot better. Against Toledo and Michigan State, I worked on those things, and my game automatically improved.”
After Canada scored his first career touchdown during BYU’s 55-53 win over Toledo, the sophomore celebrated with a shout-out to his mother in the crowd and his Milpitas family back home. He almost couldn’t stop dancing, feeling the hard work pay off by getting into the end zone.
After the game, running backs coach Reno Mahe jokingly mocked him, telling him to “act like he’s been there before.”
With a wry smile, Canada laughed; he hadn’t been there before, but he hoped to get into the end zone again — and again and again.
The next chance comes against the Bulldogs (2-3), who are coming off a 38-14 home loss to Auburn.
“It’s another football team, I guess,” Canada said. “In Pop Warner, I played in Florida, I played people from Maryland, and I played people from all over the country. The way I see it, they put their shoes on the same way I put my shoes, bleed like I bleed, and it is what it is. We’re going to go out there and play.”
Canada hopes to be dancing in the end zone against Mississippi State. But if not, it probably means a big game for his mentor, Williams.
In which case …
“You can expect me to be on the sideline,” he said, “getting everybody excited.”
