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Oct 3, 2001

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Meet Roy Williams. Both of them.

One is a star wide receiver at Texas, trying to live up to his nickname, Legend. The other is an Oklahoma defensive enforcer, putting knockout hits on receivers like his same-named rival.

Theirs is one of the key matchups when No. 3 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) plays No. 5 Texas (4-0, 1-0) Saturday in Dallas.

The two Roy Williamses share a mutual respect.

"He's the best safety in the nation. He flows so well, so gracefully to the ball," Texas' Roy Williams said.

"He's a talented player with great speed," Oklahoma's Roy Williams said. "He's one of those guys - he's a threat on every down. He's one of the toughest guys we'll see all season."

Such niceties between bitter rivals are surprising, especially considering the Sooners embarrassed the Longhorns 63-14 last year.

Texas' Roy Williams got his nickname when an Austin columnist called him a "legend in the making" before his first game. His teammates have been calling him that ever since, and lived up to it with 40 catches for 809 yards as a freshman.

That led to even more hype this season. NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. labeled the sophomore the best player at any position in all of college football.

"They call Roy 'The Legend,' but he never asked for that," Texas receiver B.J. Johnson said.

Williams - who at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds can jump over defensive backs or run past them - knows how tough it can be to live up to expectations.

His 23 catches for 255 yards this season are solid stats. What's surprising, though, is that he has only one touchdown after scoring 10 in 2000.

"People have said he's been in a slump, but he hasn't been," Johnson said.

Williams didn't have a breakout game until last weekend, when he caught 10 passes for 98 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown, as Texas beat Texas Tech. He blew past a defender down the middle of the field, then used a stop-and-go move near the 20 that made three others miss.

"Roy is, without question, the greatest athlete that I've ever been around. Hands down," Longhorns quarterback Chris Simms said.

"He can run, he can jump, he's physical and he loves to play the game."

The touchdown was one of the few plays this season defenses have used single coverage on Williams. North Carolina even triple-teamed him on a couple of plays in Texas' 44-14 win.

"I didn't realize it until we watched film ... one, two, three, holy moly!" Williams said.

Oklahoma's Roy Williams is a leader on a defense that completely shut down the Longhorns last year.

The Sooners' depth chart lists him as strong safety, but it would be about as accurate to call the junior a linebacker or defensive end.

Offensive coordinators must account for him on every play.

He has the speed to cover receivers, but at 220 pounds is big enough to help stop the run. His quickness and strength make for a good pass rusher, and he is an excellent open-field tackler.

Last week against Kansas State, he had nine tackles, a deflected pass and a fumble return for a touchdown. He was All-Big 12 last year with 94 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions.

"He's as good of a player as there is in college football," Texas coach Mack Brown said.

And maybe as hard a hitter as Texas' Roy Williams will face all season.

"I really like the Fresno State slogan, 'Just shut up and hit somebody'," the Sooners' Williams said. "That's the way I like to go play."

His tackles are a big hit in Oklahoma's film room.

"When we catch him, we always like to rewind it and watch it again," defensive tackle Bary Holleyman said.

The Williamses hardly crossed paths in last year's game. Williams The Receiver caught four passes for 16 yards, but never took a hit from Williams The Safety.

There were no verbal jabs on the field and the two players have never spoken off it.

"I would like to meet him," Texas' Roy Williams said, "exchange numbers."

Preferably in the end zone, no doubt.