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Williams, Collins back on same field when Bills face Seahawks

Roughly six months after both were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins will be back on the same field this weekend for the first time since claiming the 2016 Liberty Bowl with the Razorbacks.

However, this time, they will be on opposite sidelines when the Buffalo Bills (4-4) travel to Seattle (4-2-1) to face the Seahawks as part of the Monday night matchup for Week 9 in the NFL.

Williams and Collins were two of the nation’s most dynamic running backs during the 2013-15 college football seasons as both rushed for more than 2,000 yards in their Razorback careers and were the only FBS teammates to each rush for 1,000-plus yards during the 2014 season.

Collins finished his career with 3,703 yards on the ground with 36 touchdowns, ranking second all-time in program history in career rushing yards. Even though an injury cut his final season short, Williams still finished his esteemed career with 2,321 yards rushing, highlighted by nine 100-yard games, and 16 touchdowns.

Both were selected in the fifth round of April’s draft, joining the ranks of other Arkansas greats Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in 2008 as running back duos selected in the same draft and will elicit plenty of memories among the Razorback faithful when they are on the same field again on Monday.

Collins and Williams each have a rushing touchdown this season with Williams’ score coming last week against the New England Patriots. Only 12 rookie running backs in the NFL have scored at least one touchdown and the Hog duo is among that list.

Both the Bills and Seahawks are in the thick of their divisional races and will kick off Monday night at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Hamilton, Steelers Back In Action
Coming off the bye week, wide receiver Cobi Hamilton will look to continue his strong play for the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) when they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens (3-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.

It’s still early in the season for Hamilton as he was activated from the practice squad three weeks ago, but has looked to fit right in to the Steeler offense, hauling in five catches for 72 yards including his first career touchdown in his first NFL game in Week 6.

Hamilton was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2013, but wasn’t able to get his shot until now after Pittsburgh suffered a rash of injuries. Now, he seems to be solidifying his spot on the roster and hopes to help Pittsburgh build on its lead in the AFC North division.

Sunday’s game will also be a reunion of sorts as Hamilton will be on the same field as former teammate and quarterback Ryan Mallett. Mallett is currently the second-string quarterback for the Ravens behind Joe Flacco and is in his sixth year in the league, second with Baltimore.

Mallett and Hamilton helped provide some of the most explosive offenses in Arkansas history during the 2009 and ’10 seasons. In 2010, Mallett set the school record with 32 touchdown passes in a season, six going to Hamilton.

A four-year letterwinner out of Texarkana, Texas, Hamilton finished his career with 175 receptions, 2,854 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. The reception number is still a school record today.

#ProHogs Week 9 Schedule

Date Time (CT)/TV Network Matchup
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/FOX Detroit (Travis Swanson) at Minnesota (Jarius Wright)
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/FOX Philadelphia (Jason Peters) at New York Giants (Robert Thomas)
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/CBS New York Jets (Knile Davis) at Miami
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/CBS Jacksonville (Brandon Allen, Chris Smith) at Kansas City
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/FOX Dallas at Cleveland (Alvin Bailey)
Sun., Nov. 6 Noon/CBS Pittsburgh (Cobi Hamilton) at Baltimore (Ryan Mallett)
Sun., Nov. 6 3:25 p.m./CBS Indianapolis at Green Bay (Brett Goode)
Sun., Nov. 6 3:25 p.m./CBS Tennessee (Sebastian Tretola) at San Diego (Hunter Henry, Darius Philon)
Sun., Nov. 6 7:30 p.m./NBC Denver (AJ Derby) at Oakland (Denver Kirkland)
Mon., Nov. 7 7:30 p.m./ESPN Buffalo (Jonathan Williams) at Seattle (Alex Collins)

Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, and Washington on BYE