GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman placekicker/punter Ian Williams has been named Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Furman's 23-21, season opening victory over William & Mary on Saturday.

Williams, a graduate student now in his fourth season with the Paladins, played a pivotal role in the win, accounting for all nine Furman second half points with three field goals that rallied Furman from a 21-14 second half deficit to the victory. His first field goal covered 50 yards in the third quarter, and he connected from 42 and 32 yards in the fourth period, with his final conversion coming with 2:43 remaining for the game winning points.

In addition to totaling 11 of Furman's points, he averaged 46.6 yards on five punts, including a long of 61 yards, and tallied five touchbacks on six kickoffs.

The Charlotte, N.C., native and 2024 first team All-Southern Conference selection was recently named a first team preseason All-American by Stats Perform.  His three made field goals versus William & Mary extended his streak of successful field goal attempts to nine, and the 50-yarder versus the Tribe was his fourth field goal from 50+ yards in his career.  A year ago he set a Furman record for longest field goal with 57-yard connections versus Stetson and Mercer, respectively.

Williams registered an 87.8 touchback kickoff percentage a year ago, while the second best SoCon mark was 48.2 percent.  Only five of his kickoffs last fall were returned and for only a 12.0 ypa average — the lowest (best) in the FCS. Williams has connected on 45-of-59 field goals and has had only one kickoff go out-of-bounds in 213 kicks over his Furman tenure.

Click here for the Stats Perform release.

Furman (1-0) plays host to Presbyterian (1-0) this Saturday at Paladin Stadium in a 2:00 p.m. contest.