Apple Cup
End of the line for Reggie Williams?

By Bob Condotta
Seattle Times staff reporter

	DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES Washington receiver Reggie Williams scores on 10-yard reception against USC, one of his conference-leading 82 catches.
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Reggie Williams stopped to ask a question of the questioner.

"Why does everybody think I'm leaving?" Williams asked.

Well, let's see. There's the whole thing about Williams saying when he signed with UW that he didn't plan on sticking around longer than three years.

And there's the fact that Williams has so lived up to his billing that he will likely be a high first-round pick in next spring's NFL draft if he makes himself available, which would make him an instant millionaire.

That seems to make more sense than returning for another year of $760 monthly scholarship checks, something Williams has seemed to notice, joking with a reporter all season that he never reads the newspaper because he can't afford one.

Still — despite all the conventional wisdom that he is gone — Williams insists he has yet to make a decision. He insists that he will sit down with his parents shortly after the season to sort things out, and that he isn't putting too much thought into the idea that Saturday's Apple Cup could be the last game of his UW career.

Asked if he would take at least a minute or two to take one last look around Husky Stadium on Saturday, Williams said, "I don't need to. I know what it looks like."

Everyone else, however, would be well advised to take one last look at Williams. Despite what he says, the odds — if we're still allowed to use that term in a story about UW football — that he will return next season are just slightly better than those that Rick Neuheisel will be back as coach.

"You can always hope," said UW coach Keith Gilbertson, when asked if he thinks there's any chance Williams will be back. "But I want to be a miler, too."

And if this is it for Williams, how will he be remembered?

In terms of statistics, he is unquestionably the greatest receiver in school history.

Williams holds most of UW's season and career receiving records, notably career yards (3,477), yards per game (99.3) and career receptions (231). He needs 13 catches this week to pass Stanford's Troy Walters for the most receptions in conference history.

About the only significant UW career record he doesn't hold is touchdown passes — he has 22, trailing Mario Bailey's 26 — which might be more indicative of the team's struggles the past two years than his own.

"He's been very special for this university," Gilbertson said.

That the Huskies haven't won as much as expected, however, probably leaves Williams just behind the likes of Steve Emtman, Marques Tuiasosopo or Warren Moon in overall impact.

"I've accomplished a lot of individual goals, but we didn't win the Rose Bowl or the national championship," Williams said. "But I'll always be proud to have attended the University of Washington."

Because of UW's struggles this season, there has been the perception that Williams hasn't played as well as expected. But his 82 catches are 13 more than any other Pac-10 receiver and fourth in the nation, and comparable to a year ago when he had 94 receptions in 13 games. The biggest difference this year is Williams' yards per catch. He is averaging 12.8 this year, opposed to 17.7 as a freshman in 2001 and 15.5 last season.

But few think that's indicative of any failing of Williams, saying instead that it's hard to break a long one when surrounded by half a team's defense.

"It's hard to believe anybody has more guys around him than Reggie does," said UW quarterback Cody Pickett. "Every game it's even more."

Asked to name his most memorable moment, Williams cited his first game against Michigan, when he dropped the first two passes that came his way then rebounded to catch four passes for 134 yards in UW's 23-18 win. It was probably the most immediate birth of a star Husky Stadium has ever seen.

But UW fans may more fondly remember his play in the past two Apple Cups. Williams has caught 23 passes in two games against the Cougars — his most on average against any opponent — for 372 yards, though, interestingly, no touchdowns.

	DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES Since coming to Washington with great fanfare, Reggie Williams has been front and center.

Williams said there has been no reason for his success against WSU other than, "It's the Apple Cup. It brings out the best in everybody, I guess."

WSU coach Bill Doba is predictably impressed, calling Williams this week not just one of the best receivers in the conference but one of the best players.

And if Williams has been underrated in any way, it is for his complete game. UW coaches laud his blocking and his willingness to do whatever asked. He has played on special teams and as a cornerback. Last week, he lined up several times at running back, once taking a pitch for a short gain.

His brash nature, however, and his occasional public bouts of immaturity — such as when he said UCLA cornerback Matt Ware "sucks" — have no doubt caused some to figure that Williams is a Terrell Owens or Keyshawn Johnson waiting to happen.

On the other hand, he's 20 years old, an age at which many players are just beginning the heart of their college football career, not probably ending one.

"I have not had one ounce of problems with him," said Bobby Kennedy, who has been UW's receivers coach the past two years. "From outward appearances, I can see why people might get that impression. But he has never succumbed to the superstar syndrome."

Kennedy concludes one answer about Williams' attributes by saying, "He's a lot of fun to be around."

That, few can argue. During two of the dreariest years of UW football, Williams has been the one consistent shining light, always good for a spectacular catch on the field or a snazzy quote off it.

And if Saturday is it for Williams as a Husky, few will be surprised if he finds a way to make it memorable.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company