ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine has built an offensive reputation as a physical, run-oriented football team.
However, when the Black Bears are looking for a big play with the pass game, they often look to Landis Williams.
The speedy wide receiver from Pemberton, N.J., has been a four-year fixture on the outside for the Bears. And the 5-foot-10, 174-pounder has a propensity for catching the ball downfield and in the end zone.
“He’s certainly been a big-play guy for us during his career here,” said coach Jack Cosgrove, who hopes to be able to use Williams’ quick-strike potential Saturday night when UMaine faces Syracuse.
“He’s got good speed and quickness,” Cosgrove said. “He can change direction, he runs good routes, [and] has very good hands. He works hard at his craft.”
Despite missing the season opener against St. Cloud State with a finger injury, Williams leads UMaine with 12 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
“Coach Cos and coach Bourg [offensive coordinator Kevin Bourgoin], they made it clear to me that’s the asset I bring to the team that they need to see and they need to see more at times,” Williams said. “I’ve got the ability to stretch the field at times and I just try to do my part with things.”
Williams has been a productive receiver throughout his career. He goes into the Syracuse game having made 73 catches for 1,007 yards with 16 touchdowns in 33 games.
“He’s very much the leader of that [wide receiver] group,” Cosgrove said. “He takes a lot of pride in the group’s presentation, it’s work. He’s been a great influence on the young guys in their transition.”
In past years, he has overcome ankle injuries and missed only a few games. Williams went down on the third day of training camp last month when he suffered a hand injury.
“I had ruptured a ligament in my pinkie [finger],” Williams explained. “They reattached it and put a small pin on my knuckle. That was a scare.”
Once given the OK, he remained active during practices, doing some drills and running pass routes despite having his hand wrapped up in bandages.
Williams, who also has demonstrated his speed as a sprinter on the UMaine track and field team, enjoys the challenge of finding holes in opposing secondaries. He got open for a game-breaking, 47-yard touchdown reception from Warren Smith in the Bears’ victory at Northeastern.
“Every play is a matchup. I just try to win as many matchups as I can win in a ballgame,” said Williams, who had a career-best 38 receptions good for 481 yards and six TDs in 2007.
Williams was among numerous players who remained in Orono last summer to train together. That effort was key in developing a relationship with the quarterbacks.
While he had played a lot with senior Mike Brusko, Williams got the chance to catch balls thrown by sophomores Warren Smith (who is now seeing game action) and Chris Treister of Cape Elizabeth.
“Working with all three of those quarterbacks all summer gave us the ability to find a chemistry with all of them in a way,” Williams said. “I feel comfortable running routes with all those guys.”
At Pemberton High, Williams was a two-way football standout. He might even have been better on defense, as he was an all-state defensive back.
“We could very easily have seen him playing corner[back] here,” Cosgrove said.
Williams also played basketball and ran track in high school. He is proud to point out that his UMaine intramural basketball team is the three-time defending champion.
Williams received much of his football education from observing his older cousins.
“I would go to all their games, no matter where they were, watch the things they did,” he said.
He credited his mother, Tia Butler, with putting down a strong foundation in his life, football included.
“She provided some of the best leadership for me,” Williams said. “She kept me motivated and tried to show me the correct way of doing things.”
Williams is on track to graduate in May (in four years) with a degree in child development and family relations. He hopes eventually to become a case worker with young people.
Once football is over, he’ll again run track for the Bears while also preparing for the spring pro day workout for National Football League scouts. He is considering pursuing a master’s degree.
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