Another Williams making a run

Two years after his brother rewrote the Elmhurst College record books, Josh Williams did some writing of his own.

The junior running back carried the football 40 times for 306 yards, both school records, in the Bluejays' 33-27 comeback victory at Olivet College.

"Our run game as a whole got into a rhythm and we found weaknesses in their defense we thought we could take advantage of," the Downers Grove South graduate said. "It didn't feel like that many touches, but we came off to the sideline and we knew we had some areas we could take advantage of."

Despite a slow start and falling behind 20-0 before halftime, coach Ron Planz said the team stuck with its game plan. The momentum changed after a pair of Williams touchdowns, the first on the ground and the second a reception, which brought the game within reach. Planz said he didn't realize exactly how many touches and yards Williams had until after the game.

Williams is the second member of his family to set a record in the Bluejays backfield. His older brother, Scottie, set the record for single-season rushing yards, touchdowns and career rushing yards in 2012 when the younger Williams was a freshman on the team. That was the same year he won the Gagliardi Trophy for most outstanding football player in Division III.

"I've been watching my brother ever since I started playing football. I've learned things watching him mature as a college football player. It really helped me out, he always gave advice and pointers," Josh Williams said.

While the run game was the plan of attack against Olivet, it isn't the team's only weapon. Williams had only 68 yards rushing in Week 1 with 81 yards receiving. Williams said he hopes his performance in Week 2 can open up passing lanes in the future.

Planz said he thinks teams will try and take away the Bluejays' running attack going forward and the game plan will change from week to week. However, Planz said he knows Williams is a key to the offense and the Bluejays will work to establish the run every game.

Field vision isn't the only thing the brothers have in common. Williams said his older brother always told him to celebrate the team's accomplishments before his own. It's something he has taken to heart.

"For me it's not about the individual achievements," Williams said. "It's all about going out there and getting wins and having fun with my teammates."

Wheaton College:

With the Thunder's victory Saturday, football coach Mike Swider earned a milestone victory.

The Thunder's 26-12 win over Kalamazoo College was Swider's 150th as the Wheaton College coach. Swider, who said he didn't have any idea of the win total until the bus ride home, said it shows the steadiness of the program.

"I think when you get 150 wins over a career it shows consistency," Swider said. "It's a very consistent record. Hopefully that's a byproduct of doing the right things."

Doing the right thing is the backbone of his program, Swider said. Every year the coach said he tells his players and coaching staff to always do the right thing, winning and success will follow.

"It doesn't mean we made all the right choices," Swider said. "I've been wrong, I'm sure. But that's how we try to solve problems."

That mentality toward life has helped Swider to a 77.7 career winning percentage. The Thunder will go for win No. 151 Saturday at home against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.