Great BYU football moments from 2016: Jamaal Williams is unstoppable

Let’s look back to a game where Jamaal Williams put an indelible mark on the BYU football record books.

In the history of BYU football, there have been just a few times where the rushing attack outshone the air attack.

After all, it’s Brigham Young, the school that built its reputation on the pass, on Quarterback U. But performances of backs like Pete VanValkenburg, Harvey Unga, Curtis Brown, Luke Staley, and Eldon Fortie show that the rushing history of BYU football contains a rich tradition.

And behind Jamaal Williams, it got richer.

When he ganged up with Taysom Hill back in 2013 to thrash Texas for a school record 550 yards, it was impressive. It was crushing when he had to bow out of the 2014 season early. When he withdrew from school in 2015, there were some that thought his days in a BYU football uniform were over.

But the man affectionately known as J Swag Daddy wasn’t done. His loyalty never wavered, and he returned for his senior year.

After a fine debut in the season opener against Arizona, Jamaal was injured in the following game. By the time the he was well again against West Virginia, he hammered out an excellent 169 yards in a losing effort.

Then came Toledo.

Every time Williams touched the ball, Lavell Edwards Stadium took a breath. They needed one loaded, because more often than not, J Swag Daddy set them roaring. One move, and he’d be thundering down the sideline, whipping passed defenders.

Dancing, swagging through the back of the endzone.

287 yards rushing, a new school record. Five touchdowns, tying a school record – and it was only a couple yards short of being six. Jamaal was dominating in the first half. In the second, he was almost unstoppable. He cashed in a performance worthy of whipping out some superlatives.

No BYU football running back ever did it better.

With Tanner Mangum taking over again under center, and no clear dominant RB, odds are the pass will reassert itself as the Cougars’ weapon of choice.

But even with the talented Taysom Hill taking snaps, 2016 was the year that the offense rode in the arms of No. 21.