Caleb Williams has Heisman moment in win over UCLA
USC's huge win over crosstown rival UCLA keeps the Trojans in the hunt for a date in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Heisman Trophy voters likely took notice as well. No player helped his stock more this weekend than QB Caleb Williams.
The transfer from Oklahoma had one of his best games on the biggest stage. USC beat UCLA 48-45 and Williams was 32-of-43 for 470 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He added 33 yards and a touchdown on eight rushing attempts.
After spotting the Bruins 14 points, USC got on the board on Williams' touchdown run.
Williams showed his potential at the next level by making this NFL-caliber throw late in the second quarter. As the pocket deteriorated, Williams stepped up and ran parallel to the line of scrimmage before twisting his shoulders and delivering a beautiful ball on the run to wide receiver Kyle Ford for 49-yards.
He is 250-of-385 (64.9 percent) for 3,480 yards and 33 touchdowns with three interceptions on the season.
Williams is one of two QBs (North Carolina's Drake Maye is the other) to rank in the top ten in passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating (167.6).
There's no question Williams is the main reason USC (10-1, 8-1 in Pac-12) is a legitimate candidate to make the College Football Playoff. The team is second in the nation in total yards (513) and fourth in passing (330.8). The Trojans rank third in points per game (42.9).
It was an unfortunate week for many of the top Heisman contenders. Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker suffered what the team is calling a leg injury when he went down without being hit in the team's 63-38 loss to unranked South Carolina. Michigan running back Blake Corum suffered an apparent knee injury and while he came back in for one play afterward, he left the field permanently after that play.
Maye's prospects took a hit as the Tar Heels dropped in shocking fashion to Georgia Tech (5-6, 4-4 in ACC) a team that fired head coach Geoff Collins in-season. The Tar Heels built a 17-point lead before losing 21-17.
Williams is playing his best football at the right time, a good sign for the Trojans' playoff hopes and for him to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and Max Duggan (TCU) also improved their odds of securing invites as both their teams remain undefeated.
It appears to be a two-horse race between Stroud and Williams. Per Oddschecker, Stroud is the favorite at -125 while Williams is second at +135.
A game against Notre Dame (8-3) awaits Williams, meaning he will have one more chance in the regular season to impress voters against a quality opponent before facing either Oregon or Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game. His performance Saturday was enough to put him in the top four. The spot is his if he wants it.
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