Senior wideout a bright spot for Idaho

Eddie Williams is Idaho's leading receiver in catches, yards and touchdowns.

No wonder he's high on quarterback Nathan Enderle's list of favorite people.

But it goes beyond the senior's production on the field.

"He's a really good roommate because he's so clean," Enderle said. "He's really courteous and a great person."

Williams has been one of few bright spots for the Vandals (1-4 overall, 0-1 WAC) entering Saturday's home game against Nevada (2-2, 0-0). The Vandals have lost 14 consecutive conference games and haven't beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision team since Oct. 14, 2006.

"I want to win games bad," Williams said. "It's really disappointing. Guys are trying as hard as they can - that's what is really disappointing about it."

Williams certainly hasn't disappointed.

Through five games, the senior from San Mateo, Calif., has 26 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns. He's also run the ball six times for 56 yards, a whopping 9.3 yards per carry.

"Eddie Williams is making plays all over the place," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "That's a tough guy, a great competitor. I look at the way he plays and that's a very good thing that he's bringing to the table."

Williams attributes his success this season - his totals through five games this season are almost identical to last year's 29 catches, 363 yards and three scores - to what he did off the field.

"I had a good offseason," Williams said. "I worked extra hard in the offseason to get better. I think everyone did as a team, but I've been fortunate enough to be in positions to make plays. The right play calls are happening at the right time and the quarterback has been able to get me the ball."

It goes to his personality. He is meticulous about everything he does, including keeping a clean apartment and doing well in school. He is on schedule to graduate in May with a communications degree.

Williams plays several positions on offense for Idaho. You can spot him at fullback, H-back or wide receiver. He's also the special teams captain for the Vandals.

"He doesn't like to come out for a single snap," Akey said. "He's got a strong, strong will."

What makes Williams dangerous on the field is his strength and athleticism. In addition to being a solid receiver and runner, he's a punishing blocker.

"He's out there going against defensive backs and we throw the ball to him out in the flat or a hitch and you seldom see the first guy bring him down," Akey said. "He makes a move and that guy misses and then all of the sudden he's 10 yards down the field and there are three or four bodies on him that are eventually getting him to come down."

Williams' No. 1 trait, though, is his competitiveness. He and coaches hope it will rub off on a young team that is trying to rebuild. The program hasn't had a winning season since 1999, something that likely won't change this season unless there is a sudden change of fortunes.

Enderle, a sophomore, thinks Williams is making an impact with the newcomers.

"They see him on the field and he's obviously a leader on the field with his effort," Enderle said. "It shows guys that if you want to be that type of player, that's the work ethic you need to have off the field in the weight room and during conditioning and film sessions. He puts in a lot of time and effort off the field and people see that, which is good because you really need that to be the type of player that he is."

Williams enjoys the leadership role. Although he prefers to lead by example - something Akey says he does in every facet of the game and beyond - he has become more vocal in trying to get his message across to the younger Vandals.

"The young guys just need a little direction," he said. "We just have to give them a little push and tell them this is how hard you have to work to be a great player. They're catching on pretty good."

Maybe this is the week when it clicks for Idaho.

"We're just a few plays away ... We're a good offense, we're a really good offense," he said. "I've said before if I could catch zero balls and we could win 12 games, I'd definitely be more happy."