Senior running back Keiland Williams has been the team’s second-leading rusher in each of his previous three seasons at LSU.But Williams exploded with two rushing touchdowns against Vanderbilt on Saturday, making him LSU’s leading rusher through two games.Williams finished with 10 carries for 72 yards Saturday, running his total to 123 yards this season, ahead of senior Charles Scott’s 101.But Scott said he and Williams have a great relationship on and off the field, and they have the same goals for each other, no matter who’s getting the majority of the carries.”He runs like a hungry man, like somebody who’s been wanting it,” Scott said. “Everybody knew he could do it, and it was no surprise to me when he came out and tore it up both games. With us on the field, we’re almost unstoppable, and I’d put us up against any running game in the country.”Williams said he prepared himself mentally for the number of carries he’s involved in. He has 17 rushes this season with an average of 7.2 yards per carry.”I put myself in that position in fall camp, so the touches I’m getting, I’m kind of expecting,” Williams said. “[LSU] coach [Les] Miles told me the things I needed to work on to keep me on the field, and those things are showing now. It’s good because the defenses have more to worry about — they can’t just worry about Charles carrying the ball. They have to account for me as well.”Williams and Scott were roommates for half of their sophomore year and their entire junior year, and both players joke they are each other’s “evil half.””Charles and I mess with each other and say we’re the worst things that happened to each other,” Williams said. “[Running backs coach Larry] Porter separated us in the meeting room. He had said it for the longest [time] and never did it, but this year he finally put Charles in the front of the room, and I sit by coach Porter, but Charles still manages to turn around and talk to me.”Sophomore offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk said he also sees the fun-loving friendship Williams and Scott share as teammates.”If you ever watch them on the sideline when one of them scores a touchdown, they’re all grouped together celebrating,” Dworaczyk said. “At one point they were doing a celebration dance. We all smile about it, and they’re humble about the situation.”LSU senior offensive tackle Ciron Black said players look to Williams for his leadership and versatility beyond just running the football.”Keiland is one of the guys you look at when you want to … model yourself after somebody,” Black said. “It’s not just this game or this year. He made tremendous blocks, hitting 300-pound linemen in the mouth. That’s just what he does.”Senior wide receiver R.J. Jackson described Williams as “fun to be around” in addition to his toughness on the field.”Keiland was running with his eyes — that’s the biggest thing for a running back,” Jackson said. “He made some spectacular cuts too. One of the stretches he scored on, he just made it happen.”Miles said Williams’ standout performance against Vanderbilt is one he hopes will continue throughout the season.”Keiland Williams ran extremely well with the touches he got,” Miles said. “He was named the Offensive MVP with two rushing touchdowns and running the way that he’s capable.”Williams said he and Scott often switch roles in practice, with one playing running back and the other blocking at fullback. Ultimately, Williams said they are working together on the team.”Charles doesn’t determine whether I get on the field or not,” he said. “If I’m successful in practice, I’ll see playing time. The ultimate goal is to see each other play on Sundays. Charles is definitely somebody who you could gravitate to … I couldn’t see my life here without him.”- – – -Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]