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Iowa football's Xavier Williams cards highest PFF Week 3 RB grade
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- Iowa football's Xavier Williams cards highest PFF Week 3 RB grade
It's hard to be more efficient and explosive than Xavier Williams was last Saturday.
Iowa's third-year running back took advantage of an increased role to turn in a huge performance in the Hawkeyes ' 55-0 win over Northern Iowa . With Kamari Moulton and LJ Phillips Jr. banged up, Williams was part of a stable of backs who filled in. And he was excellent.
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The Schererville, Ind., native only got six carries in the lopsided victory , but he made the most of every single one of them. Williams finished the game with a team-leading 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In one game, he matched his career touchdown total. That performance earned him some high praise from Pro Football Focus.
PFF had Williams as its highest-graded running back in Week 3 of the college football season. He earned an impressive 91.2 overall grade for his dominant game.
With Moulton and Phillips absent from the Week 4 depth chart, there's a chance Williams gets another starring role in Ann Arbor on Saturday. He showed last week what he's capable of when given the opportunity.
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The Hawkeyes will need their running game to be great if they want to walk out of the Big House with a win. Williams could be a major factor.
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz enters Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes mascot, Herky, leads the crowd against the Northern Iowa Panthers before the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes come off the field at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Deshaun Lee (8) comes off the field at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during the first quarter against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The line of scrimmage between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) looks to throw a pass against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) is tackled by Northern Iowa Panthers safety Calvin Jaworski (21) as linebacker John Powers (33) looks on during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) and running back Nathan McNeil (5) react after a touchdown by McNeil against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers quarterback Jaxon Dailey (15) rolls out against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) runs for a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; An Iowa Hawkeyes fan participates in the Iowa Wave towards the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital before the second quarter during the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tony Diaz (14) tries to escape from Northern Iowa Panthers safety Calvin Jaworski (21) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Addison Ostrenga (87) runs for a touchdown after a reception against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Addison Ostrenga (87) reacts after a touchdown reception against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) and offensive lineman Jack Dotzler (71) react after a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) comes off the field after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) reacts with tight end Mason Woods (19) after McNeil scored a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers running back Christian Collins (22) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Julian Manson (4), linebacker Jack Laughlin (47), and linebacker Burke Gautcher (10) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Mason Woods (19) runs the ball as Northern Iowa Panthers linebacker John Powers (33) looks to make the tackle during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) scores a touchdown as Northern Iowa Panthers linebacker Kolben Miller (10) and defensive end Axel Ramazani (44) try to make the tackle in the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Julian Manson (4) looks to tackle Northern Iowa Panthers quarterback Cale McThenia (7) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) runs for a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) and tight end Mason Woods (19) react after a touchdown by Jackson against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz enters Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz enters Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes mascot, Herky, leads the crowd against the Northern Iowa Panthers before the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes come off the field at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Deshaun Lee (8) comes off the field at Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during the first quarter against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The line of scrimmage between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) looks to throw a pass against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) is tackled by Northern Iowa Panthers safety Calvin Jaworski (21) as linebacker John Powers (33) looks on during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) and running back Nathan McNeil (5) react after a touchdown by McNeil against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers quarterback Jaxon Dailey (15) rolls out against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) runs for a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; An Iowa Hawkeyes fan participates in the Iowa Wave towards the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital before the second quarter during the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tony Diaz (14) tries to escape from Northern Iowa Panthers safety Calvin Jaworski (21) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Addison Ostrenga (87) runs for a touchdown after a reception against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Addison Ostrenga (87) reacts after a touchdown reception against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) and offensive lineman Jack Dotzler (71) react after a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) comes off the field after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) reacts with tight end Mason Woods (19) after McNeil scored a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Nathan McNeil (5) reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers running back Christian Collins (22) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Julian Manson (4), linebacker Jack Laughlin (47), and linebacker Burke Gautcher (10) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Mason Woods (19) runs the ball as Northern Iowa Panthers linebacker John Powers (33) looks to make the tackle during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) scores a touchdown as Northern Iowa Panthers linebacker Kolben Miller (10) and defensive end Axel Ramazani (44) try to make the tackle in the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Julian Manson (4) looks to tackle Northern Iowa Panthers quarterback Cale McThenia (7) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) runs for a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Best photos from Iowa football's shutout romp vs. Northern Iowa
Sep 19, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) and tight end Mason Woods (19) react after a touchdown by Jackson against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football's Xavier Williams cards highest PFF Week 3 RB grade
