Caleb Williams shares his secret to strong ball protection
USC quarterback Caleb Williams has been having a great season, but took his game to another level in his last three games throwing for 14 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Williams’ ball security has been impressive all season, as he is one of two quarterbacks in the nation that’s thrown for over 20 touchdown passes with just one interception. He was recently asked what his secret was to taking care of the ball so well, which he explained after the team’s practice Tuesday.
“Just a lot of reps, staying locked in throughout every play, every second throughout the drive,” Williams said. “And watching a lot of film also helps, coach Riley he does a good job with helping out with that.”
Williams elaborated on his special relationship with head coach Lincoln Riley, as the duo left Oklahoma this offseason to come to USC. Their constant communication and Williams’ connection to the rest of his offensive teammates has not only led to tons of points on the board for the Trojans, but a team that has yet to lose the turnover battle in a single game this season.
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“We talk throughout the whole game. If it’s a, as we say, bad drive where we don’t go and get any points or if we go and get three points or seven points we talk. So it’s just a connection me and coach Riley have, it’s a connection with this whole offensive line, and then also the whole wide relievers and running back group that we do a really good job of being consistent,” Williams explained.
Consistency is the key according to Williams and this season he’s been a model of it, throwing for over 200 yards in all but two games, throwing two or more touchdown passes in all but one game, and just one lone interception on the season.
“That’s something we’re working on, trying to be consistent, that’s one of the main things that as a quarterback that you want to be is consistent. So if I can be consistent overall as a leader, as a passer, it helps out the team in other ways,” Williams said. “So turn the ball over is one of the main ways that you can help your team lose a game, so it’s one of the biggest things I like to focus on. I like trying to put my wide receivers in the best position possible to go catch the rock.”
Williams has been taking care of the ball and the players around him, completing passes to 13 different targets in the Trojan’s last three games. He’s the catalyst of their offense, and his efficiency could be the difference in what takes them to the Pac-12 Championship game if they handle business in the final stretch of the season.