How did South Carolina try and stop Alabama football wide receiver Ryan Williams?

Ryan Williams did not have a typical “Ryan Williams” performance for Alabama football against South Carolina.

In the Crimson Tide’s 27-25 win against the Gamecocks, the Alabama freshman wide receiver had four receptions on six targets for a career-low 32 yards and zero touchdowns. South Carolina was the first defense to finish a game against the Crimson Tide in 2024 without allowing a Williams touchdown.

As Williams prepares to face Tennessee’s secondary Saturday afternoon, he said South Carolina’s approach against him was “a little different,” saying they used a funnel defense to keep him in a specific area of the field.

“It worked out for the better for us because it opened up more for my other guys to shine,” Williams said.

Germie Bernard finished with a team-high 89 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter against the Gamecocks.

On Monday, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said there were a few passes that “didn’t get to (Williams) or get completed” that were intentional with getting the freshman the football, whether in a one-on-one look or a screen.

As the Crimson Tide prepares its game plan for Tennessee on Saturday, DeBoer ensured Williams will continue to be a part of the conversation.

“He’s got to be a guy that we’re always really paying attention to as far as the number of targets,” DeBoer said. “I think, for the most part, we understand who those guys (are). A lot of them are in the starting lineup, and maybe just the next guys in, that you have to make sure, in the game plan, that they are involved. That will always be the case.”

Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; A long pass to Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) falls off his fingertips as he is defended by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Judge Collier (20) at Bryant-Denny…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/did-south-carolina-try-stop-182938131.html

Author : The Tuscaloosa News

Publish date : 2024-10-15 18:29:38

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.