How KU running back Leshon Williams surprised even Lance Leipold vs. West Virginia
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Leshon Williams rushed for 129 yards and scored two touchdowns for Kansas.
- Williams stepped up after Daniel Hishaw's injury, leading a dominant ground attack.
- Kansas outgained West Virginia 242-182 in rushing yards during the 41-10 victory.
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold was one of the first individuals on the home-team sideline to approach senior running back Leshon Williams after his electric 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter Saturday.
That run completed the scoring in the Jayhawks’ 41-10 rout of West Virginia at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
“That was impressive. I told him, ‘I didn’t know you’re that fast to outrun everybody,’” Leipold said after watching the 5-foot-10, 215-pound senior transfer from Iowa gain 129 yards on 19 carries with one rushing TD and another on a 39-yard reception from Jalon Daniels.
“Coach said it to me right after I scored. I said, ‘I hope you know I can (outrun people) now,’” Williams said with a smile of his response to his happy coach.
It was the fourth 100-yard rushing game of Williams’ college career and his first as a Jayhawk.
“It was a heck of a run. He got some good downfield blocking, and again, big-time game for him,” Leipold stated.
Williams played most of the game in place of running back Daniel Hishaw, who carried two times for 9 yards early. He was unable to continue because of an undisclosed injury that affected him in practice during the week.
“Leshon knew that this might be a game that he would have to step up more. I really thought he did,” Leipold said. “And you know, he runs physical — he does — and does such a good job.”
Williams said he hopes Hishaw is able to make it back for the next game, Saturday at home against Cincinnati. He said knowing Hishaw was not 100% during the week didn’t affect his own preparation for WVU.
“Hishaw is a tough dude, man,” Williams said. “You never know with him. He probably played through a lot of stuff. Truthfully, it just comes down (to), in general, you should always practice like you are going to be that guy. So it didn’t change anything the way I practice. Truthfully, just stay ready.
“... I hope my brother gets back next week, whatever that’s going to take. I hope he’s back, because we are going to need everybody. But it really didn’t change anything for me. I wanted to do the same thing.”
In all, KU gained 242 yards rushing to WVU’s 182. Daniels had 69 yards on five carries; Johnny Thompson 24 yards on six carries; Harry Stewart 20 yards on five carries; and Cole Ballard 8 yards on two carries to go with Hishaw’s totals.
“The O-line is tough,” Williams said. “I feel like we’ve got a lot of tough linemen and running backs — a lot of do-it-all running backs with Johnny, Harry, me, Deuce (Hishaw). I feel like we’ve got one of the best running back rooms in the nation. I feel like as the season goes on, we are going to prove that.”
Of the running back room, he added: “I feel like we made a statement. I feel like a lot of people underestimate us. The main thing for us, I feel like it’s just going to come down to finishing the game. We have talent. I feel like we’re explosive, as you all saw today. It’s going to come down to how we finish the game. I feel like we can compete with anybody in the nation.”
Williams’ pass reception for a score was the second of his college career via the receiver route. He recalled his previous TD through the air was against Western Michigan.
Did his reception Saturday prove he has good hands out of the backfield as well as running ability?
“I mean, I hope so,” he said. “Had a couple drops in my career when I was young, just not doing the little things by looking the ball in. So that was one of my main things this year. I wanted to make sure I take advantage of all the opportunities I get in the passing game.”
This story was originally published September 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM.
