USF's Williams has big hand in Giants' NFC win

Former University of South Florida linebacker Jacquian Williams wasn't certain if he would be drafted last season. Even when he was taken as a sixth-rounder by the New York Giants, he wasn't sure about his role.

 Williams, who had a productive rookie season, will now live forever in Giants' lore.

 "Super Bowl,'' Williams told reporters Sunday night after the Giants' 20-17 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers at the NFC Championship Game. "The first thing I thought was 'Super Bowl.' ''

 Williams made the big special-teams play that helped send the Giants into Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots. He reached in and stripped the ball from San Francisco punt returner Kyle Williams. New York's Devin Thomas recovered at the 49ers' 24-yard line, setting up the game-winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes.

 "I always dream of making a big play,'' Williams said. "Tonight, I had my opportunity.

 "My first feeling was to go down there and make the tackle. He made a move, I stuck my hand out and I saw the ball. It was unbelievable.''

 Williams praised his mother, Theolanda, who talked him out of quitting football. Williams eventually returned to Fort Scott Community College, then moved on to USF, where former coaches and teammates are celebrating his big play.

 "He's a sixth-round guy who is producing more than guys taken in the first or second rounds,'' USF linebacker Sam Barrington said. "He was always such a smart player. He could make big plays, but he would do the little things that win games.''

 "When you look at Jacquian, you see a real physical specimen,'' said USF assistant coach Kevin Patrick, who recruited Williams to USF from Fort Scott. "The one thing he has always been able to do is make plays. He produces. He always had the uncanny ability of putting himself in the right position.''

 Sunday night, his timing was perfect.

 Now Williams and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, his teammate with USF and the Giants, are headed to the Super Bowl.

With the Giants preparing for the Super Bowl, Chicago's Julius Peppers was named to replace Pierre-Paul in next weekend's Pro Bowl in Hawaii.