When Division I-AA Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore recruited Richie Williams during the 2000-01 season, he was not sure what position the high school quarterback would play for the Mountaineers.
“He and his parents were sitting in my office, and I told them I didn’t know if he would play quarterback, receiver or defensive back,” Moore said. “During his first year here, he performed well as the scout team quarterback, and we knew then he could play quarterback for us.”
After redshirting his freshman season and being the second string quarterback the next year, Williams became the Mountaineers’ starting quarterback as a sophomore during the 2003-04 season, and led the Southern Conference in passing efficiency and touchdown passes.
Last season, Williams set ASU single-season records for passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, completion percentage and total offense. He was also 15th in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top player in Division I-AA football.
“Their quarterback is a tremendously talented guy,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “He’s a very good athlete both in the run and the pass.”
Through eight games, Williams has passed for 1,775 yards with 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He has completed 67 percent of his passes and has rushed for 628 yards and four touchdowns.
Williams enters the Mountaineers’ matchup against LSU as the No. 1-rated passer in the SoCon. He leads the SoCon in passing yards per game at 222 and total offense per game at 300 yards.
Williams is also one of the 16 remaining players on The Sports Network’s official watch list for the Walter Payton Award.
In his career for ASU, Williams has thrown 49 touchdowns with only 20 interceptions.
“This is the best quarterback we’ve played so far,” senior linebacker E.J. Kuale said. “He makes good decisions.”
 
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