University Park, Pa. -- One of the primary catalysts in Penn State's 38-24 victory over No. 22 Illinois on Saturday has earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
Senior wide receiver Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.) was honored by the conference after accumulating a career-high 241 all-purpose yards and scoring three touchdowns in front of a raucous Penn State White Out throng of 109,626.
His 241 all-purpose yards (33 rushing, 75 receiving and 133 on kick returns) yards were the most by a Nittany Lion since Larry Johnson gained 289 yards (279 rushing, 10 receiving) vs. Michigan State in 2002. Williams' previous high for all-purpose yards was 151 vs. Purdue in 2007.
Williams became the first player since Joe Paterno became head coach in 1966 to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown in the same game. Williams caught a 21-yard pass from Daryll Clark in front of the goal line pylon to tie the game at 14-14. He gave Penn State the lead for good on a five-yard TD run in the second quarter.
After Illinois drew within 24-17 on the final play of the third quarter, the former Eleanor Roosevelt High School All-American delivered the play of the game. He fielded the ensuing kickoff at the PSU 6, zipped down the far sideline, cut into the middle and followed one final block from freshman Brandon Beachum, breaking free and sending the crowd into hysterics.
The kickoff return touchdown was his second of the season, becoming just the third Nittany Lion to do so all-time. Chuck Peters had two kickoff scores in 1940 and Curt Warner also had two in 1980. Williams also has two career punt return touchdowns.
Williams made a game-high six receptions (75 yards), giving him 131 for his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the Penn State career reception chart. Williams' 75 receiving yards tgive him 1,446 for his career which puts him 12th place at Penn State, trailing Freddie Scott who had 1,520 yards receiving from 1993-95.
Williams also was selected for one of the six "Helmet Stickers" presented by the ESPN College Football studio team.
For the season, Williams is sixth in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards with a 131.4 average. He has 14 receptions for 188 yards (13.4) and one touchdown, 13 carries for 78 yards (6.0) and one score, nine kickoff returns for 324 yards (36.0) and two touchdowns and nine punt returns for 67 yards (7.4).
Coach Joe Paterno's squad is 5-0 and ranked No. 6 and visits Purdue on Saturday. Kickoff is at noon in West Lafayette. The game will air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com.