Top 5 Rushing Performances of the 2016-2017 Bowl Season

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Dec 28, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Levi’s Stadium. The Utah Utes won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Early in the 2016 season, Joe Williams retired from college football. At the time he cited the wear and tear of the game and his desire to complete a sociology degree as the reasons for leaving the game. Injuries in the Utes backfield led Williams to return to the team in October, and he finished the regular season with over 1100 yards despite missing four games. His return was a key reason why Utah contended for the Pac-12 South through most of the 2016 regular season.

He kept his momentum going against Indiana in the Foster Farms Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, rushing for 222 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. In a tight contest at Indiana, his biggest run came near the end of the game as he put the Utes in position for a game-winning field goal:

Another look at Joe Williams' monster run last night that put the Utes in range for game-winning FG! #goutes #MVP https://t.co/wLvTGAyRwH
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) December 29, 2016

That elusive run paved the way for the winning kick, but Williams was a key cog in the Utes offense all game. Averaging over eight yards per carry against the Hoosiers, Williams was instrumental in Utah’s narrow victory. His lone touchdown run came in the first quarter after an Indiana fumble, and he added a 56-yard catch after another Hoosiers fumble in the red zone.

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