SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Senior running back Joe Williams almost didn't play in the Foster Farms Bowl game. Sickness had overcome his body, and his ability to play was in doubt.
“Joe was so sick (Tuesday) night he couldn't come to the team meeting and was running a temperature,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We weren't positive we were going to have him.”
Williams was “feeling sinuses and a bad cough and everything.” However, on Wednesday morning he said he felt good enough to play, despite not being 100 percent.
He said his wife of only a few weeks gave him a sort of pep talk prior to the game, adding that the bowl would be his “last ride” at Utah and that he should try to play.