Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Football: Give Boom Williams, Benny Snell The Keys

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

If the Kentucky football program has any chance of making a bowl game in 2016, it must give the keys to the offense to running backs Boom Williams and Benny Snell.

Not every week is going to be as fruitful for the Kentucky football program as the past two have been. Losses will occur, weaknesses will be exploited, and demoralizing moments will occur.

If the Kentucky football program hopes to make a bowl game and properly build for the future, however, the 1-2 punch of Boom Williams and Benny Snell Jr. must continue to be trusted and fed.

The Wildcats haven’t been given many reasons for optimism, but Snell and Williams have changed that. Since starting 0-2, Kentucky has won back-to-back games behind the efforts of the dynamic running back duo.

It’s those two players who will lead the Wildcats into both the immediate and long-term future.

Williams, a junior, has stabilized Kentucky’s offense with 464 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries. He’s averaging 8.0 yards per carry, which isn’t as unsustainable as it may appear to be.

In 2015, Williams set a school record by picking up an average of 7.1 yards per carry.

Snell wasn’t utilized during the first two games of the season, but he’s been dominant over the past two weeks. He ran for 136 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries against New Mexico State and had 73 yards and a score on 16 carries against South Carolina.

That gives him 209 rushing yards and five touchdowns in just two games played.

Williams is second to Ralph Webb of the Vanderbilt Commodores in rushing yards amongst SEC players. Snell is tied with Webb and Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight for the SEC lead in rushing touchdowns with five.

Together, Williams and Snell have formed one of the most dynamic combinations in the conference and country.

As the Wildcats struggle to find stability at quarterback, Snell and Williams must be trusted. They’ll keep the chains moving as either Drew Barker or Stephen Johnson come into their own under center.

More importantly, they’ll carry the Wildcats into the next generation.

Williams could leave for the NFL Draft in 2017, but Snell is a true freshman. He has at least two more seasons ahead of him in Lexington, which is reason to continue getting him touches in 2016.

Even if he begins to struggle, he’s the future of Kentucky’s offense; abandoning him at any point of this season could damage his confidence.

As for Williams, if he does return for his senior season, the Wildcats’ offense would be that much more explosive. He’s one of the best running backs in the country, whether he gets recognition for it or not.

Thus, with a brutal road game against the Alabama Crimson Tide looming, Kentucky cannot afford to let this one game speak for Williams or Snell’s long-term value.

These two standouts could lead the Wildcats back to a bowl game.