Oklahoma football: Sooners RB Damien Williams off and running ... literally

The junior-college transfer from Arizona Western has scored on touchdown runs of 65, 89 and 95 yards — the latter two represent two of the longest eight touchdown runs in Oklahoma football history.

In terms of big, home-run plays, Williams' career has gotten off to a hotter start than any Oklahoma back in recent memory, including Adrian Peterson.

“In our program, we've always had really explosive backs, but clearly Damien is special,” said junior center Gabe Ikard. “He's got a great skill set. He's blessed with great vision and ability to play the game.

“It makes it really easy for an offensive line when all you have to do is make a small seam, and he'll see it and accelerate through it.”

Senior Dominique Whaley, who returned from a severe ankle injury suffered last season, entered the season as the Sooners' starting running back. But by the end of Oklahoma's season opener at UTEP, it had become clear that Williams was a special talent capable of big things.

With about three minutes left in the West Texas win, Williams took a handoff, ran to his right and cut upfield. He saw a big hole open up when fullback Trey Millard took out a Miner defender and Williams was off to the races, scoring on a 65-yard run that sealed the OU victory.

The next week, he rushed for 156 yards in OU's home opening win over Florida A&M; it was the most yards ever by an Oklahoma running back in his home debut.

During that game, he scored on an 89-yard run in the third quarter.

Then last weekend, in his first OU-Texas game, Williams burst free for a 95-yard touchdown — the longest run in Red River Rivalry history — that opened the floodgates for the Sooners' 63-21 rout.