The redshirt sophomore linebacker got to the throwing arm of Toledo quarterback Carter Bradley on the Rockets' third play from scrimmage, creating an early takeaway and setting the tone for a 52-14 Homecoming rout at Scheumann Stadium.
From there it . . .
"Winning is contagious," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "It's a great feeling. And we were determined to chase that winning feeling today. My hat is off to our football team. The chemistry, the hard work, the attitude, the effort. Just a great overall win for us."
Meanwhile, it was big play after big play on offense in Ball State's third straight win. Four of the Cardinals touchdowns came from more than 35 yards out, two of them via Malik Dunner. The converted running back took a double reverse 51 yards for one score and a jet sweep 39 yards for another.
BSU quarterback Drew Plitt threw only 17 times on the day, hitting 11 of them for 206 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals didn't really need to throw. They were doing anything they wanted on the ground.
Caleb Huntley topped the century mark for the third straight week, pounding for 119 yards on 20 carries. Backfield mate Walter Fletcher added 68 yards and a touchdown. All said and done, the Cardinals' 374-yard rushing total was its highest since a record-setting, 463-yard performance in 2009 at Eastern Michigan.
"Our offensive line is just growing," Neu said. "The confidence level is growing. Coach (Colin) Johnson has done a great job with that group. They want us to ride their back. We always say the 'Ball State Way,' and it starts with the guys up front, both sides."
Riley Miller caught two touchdowns, including one on a double pass. And Justin Hall scored twice, once on a 36-yard hookup with Plitt and once on a jet sweep of his own.
Defensively, Ball State finally surrendered a touchdown on Toledo's opening drive of the second half but buckled down again after that. The Rockets added one more late score in the final minute of the game.
Jaylin Thomas led the BSU defensive effort with 11 tackles, while Williams finished with 2.5 sacks. Clayton Coll forced a fumble and Antonio Phillips intercepted his third pass of the season. The Cardinals harassed Toledo's Bradley into a 14-for-34 performance through the air.
Ball State's 52 points were its most ever against Toledo and vaulted the Cardinals' to their first win over the Rockets in six years.