Baker-Williams is Wolfpack's new kid on the 'block'

Big hit on teammate's punt return touchdown highlights young nickel's hard-hitting style

You probably didn't notice it as Thayer Thomas weaved his way through Ball State's punt coverage team, then sprinted into the open field for a 76-yard touchdown return in Saturday's win against Ball State.

But check out the left ear of the Wolfpack logo in the above screenshot and the replay below and you'll see the most entertaining aspect of the play.

Sure, Tyler Baker-Williams'' bone-crunching block on the Cardinals' Cam Gillentine was behind the play and didn't have any impact on Thomas' game-breaking run. But it sure was spectacular.

 It was a hit right out of a Hollywood movie, sending Gillentine flipping head over heels. It was also a hit among Baker-Williams and his teammates at the Wolfpack's postgame film review session.

"I was very happy when I saw that," Williams-Baker said. "That was the highlight of the game right there.

"Everybody was hype about it. I know I was. All my teammates went crazy when they saw it on the board when they played it."

Baker-Williams said he didn't set out to send Gillentine flying. He just saw his man, went low and rose up at just the right time.

It was the kind of physical play that has helped the sophomore rise up the depth chart and earn a much more prominent role on State's defense.

Although listed as the backup to senior Stephen Griffin, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Raleigh native was on the field for more snaps than the starter in Saturday's win. He recorded a career-high six tackles, with a half sack. 

For the season, he's been credited with 12 tackles -- including 1.5 for losses -- with a pair of pass breakups.

"I've just been improving day-by-day, getting better at practice, getting my confidence up," he said. "Nickels are athletic, me and Stephen. They just put us in the best position to make plays."

Baker-Williams is so athletic that last season, when coach Dave Doeren and his staff found themselves running short of running backs because of injuries, they moved him into the offensive backfield for a game. He didn't get any carries, but he did catch a pass -- albeit for a six-yard loss.

As fun as that might have been, his days on the offensive side of the ball are now permanently in the past.

"The more he makes plays," nickels coach aron Henry said, "the more he gets us aligned, the more he can put us in position to win presnap the better he'll be down the field, the more confidence he'll develop as a player and the more he'll play with.'