BLACKSBURG -- Virginia Tech TB Ryan Williams has become known for his shifty moves and breakaway speed this fall.
In Saturday's 38-10 Atlantic Coast Conference rout of N.C. State, Williams displayed the kind of power which will become a staple of highlight films for a long time.
On a second down run from the Wolfpack 19-yard line, Williams busted into the open off left tackle. Backup safety Earl Wolff grabbed Williams' jersey at the 12 and got a free ride -- all the way into the end zone for Williams' fourth touchdown of the day.
It was the longest play of a grinding afternoon for Williams, who finished with 120 yards on 32 carries.
"He was making me mad," Williams said of Wolff. "I wanted him off my jersey. I tried to smack his hand off because I'm not big on stiffarming people, but it looked cool on the big screen. I liked it."
So did his teammates, who have gotten used to seeing that kind of brilliance from a redshirt freshman who's rushed for 1,355 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
"I didn't see the replay, but I had the back view," QB Tyrod Taylor said. "He's very powerful. I've seen him do that in the weight room. I know he's very strong."
Williams' four TDs were the most for a Tech freshman in a game since Tommy Edwards scored four in a 63-21 win at Pittsburgh in 1993.
Williams needs just one score in the last two games to break the ACC freshman record for most TDs in a season. He's currently tied with North Carolina's Leon Johnson, who originally set the mark in 1993.
Boykin's Best Sophomore WR Jarrett Boykin might be headed for the Hokies' high-water mark for a pass-catcher in six years. With his career-high 164 yards on six grabs, Boykin is up to 715 yards on the season, the most for a Tech player since Ernest Wilford recorded 886 yards as a senior in 2003.
"Jarrett made a couple of great adjustments on the ball and got those big claws up there and came down with it," coach Frank Beamer said. "He is very, very dependable. If you get that ball up there around him, we have a very good shot of coming down with it."
Among Boykin's grabs were 42, 38 and 36-yarders. His 38-yard catch late in the third quarter served as the Hokies' final TD.
On the season, Boykin has 36 receptions and is averaging nearly 20 yards per catch.
"Today, I was just focused on making plays," he said. "Whenever the ball was in the air, I just did my best to come down with it so he would have confidence in me. That is just kind of how the day went along."
Shorthanded Wolfpack N.C. State has regressed this season. After using a season-ending four-game winning streak last year to make the PapaJohn's Bowl, the Wolfpack fell to 4-7 Saturday and won't play in a bowl game.
One major reason is a ridiculous wave of injuries which has cost N.C. State 13 projected starters. It even hit its coaching staff for this game.
Offensive coordinator Dana Bible wasn't with the team after finding out Friday that his doctor recommended he not travel due to the need to undergo tests at a Raleigh hospital.
Coach Tom O'Brien had no other information on Bible's situation.
"You always have a backup that you think you have to do this, that or another thing," O'Brien said. "But 24 hours before a football game -- it's a tough situation."
Running backs coach Jason Swepson and O'Brien teamed to call plays. O'Brien said Swepson did a fine job, although the Wolfpack's 10 points was their fewest since a season-opening loss to South Carolina.
Extra Points
Redshirt freshman Michael Via made his third straight start at center, although Beau Warren (knee) was cleared to play ... DT Demetrius Taylor and TE Sam Wheeler picked up starts because it was Senior Day ... Tech unveiled the Wild Turkey for the first time since September as TE Greg Boone took four second half snaps. Boone tried a pass but it fell incomplete. The former high school QB can throw the ball 80 yards in the air.
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