Beaty: Pooka Williams’ eligibility issue ‘behind me until somebody tells me different’

By Benton Smith     Sep 18, 2018

Kansas freshman running back Pooka Williams eyes a running lane against Central Michigan, during the Jayhawks’ 31-7 road win Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

If the undisclosed eligibility issue that kept Kansas running back Pooka Williams from playing in the football team’s season opener remains unresolved — head coach David Beaty won’t address its status — the matter, Beaty insists, is not one currently causing him grief.

Asked during his weekly press conference on Tuesday whether the Jayhawks have been able to put Williams’ case behind them, Beaty first replied by saying the freshman, who is averaging 144 rushing yards per game in KU’s two victories, is available for their Big 12 opener this week at Baylor.

“So as far as I’m concerned, you know, we just basically work on the next game and right now,” Beaty said. “So he’ll be playing Saturday. And as far as I’m concerned it’s behind me until somebody tells me different.”

KU (2-1) lost to Nicholls State in overtime in Week 1, when it withheld Williams from competition. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound back from Louisiana has since become the first freshman in program history to rush for 100 or more yards in each of his first two games.

According to Beaty, KU found out on Sept. 7, on the eve of its victory at Central Michigan, that Williams could play.

A four-star prospect from Hahnville High, in Boutte, La., Williams is averaging 8.7 yards per carry for KU and has scored three touchdowns. His 288 rushing yards currently leads the Big 12.

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52488Beaty: Pooka Williams’ eligibility issue ‘behind me until somebody tells me different’