ASU’s Williams Questionable for Cal Game

Arizona State free safety Alfred Williams, a redshirt sophomore from Irvine High, was injured in Saturday’s game against UCLA and is listed as questionable for this week’s home game against California.

While the Sun Devils jumped to a 21-0 second-quarter lead over 15th-ranked UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Williams was making life miserable for his friend, running back DeShaun Foster, and the Bruins’ offense.

In the first two quarters, he was all over the field, making several of his trademark vicious hits. He had seven tackles, five of them solo, and his hit on Foster caused a fumble that he recovered.

But in the third quarter, Williams’ big night turned bad when he collided with UCLA receiver Brian Poli-Dixon. The force of the collision pushed Poli-Dixon’s helmet into Williams’ abdominal area, causing a lung contusion.

Williams began spitting up blood and did not return to the game, which UCLA eventually won, 38-31.

Williams did not run during conditioning drills Sunday. He missed the 1998 season and part of last season with a nerve injury in the neck area.