BLOOMINGTON — Eli Williams wakes up a little more sore on Sundays this fall than in the past.

“It hurts, but it’s a good pain,” he said. “It’s worth it.”

Williams’ pain definitely has been Illinois Wesleyan’s gain. Coach Norm Eash’s best move of the season might have been moving the junior from wide receiver to halfback when the Titans arrived for training camp in August.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Williams has added a spark to the backfield. Williams has rushed for 856 yards in helping the 14th-ranked Titans (10-1) to an NCAA Division III second-round playoff game at noon Saturday at No. 2 Wisconsin-Whitewater (11-0).

Only seven backs in IWU history have topped the 900-yard mark for a season. Williams didn’t seem likely to join that club his first two years with the Titans while playing on the outside.

But, after returning from a June trip to Austria, Eash decided IWU would use a lot of split-back formations this season behind a veteran offensive line. The Titan coach wanted Williams in that mix.

Williams, who played halfback at Westville High School near Danville, was all for it.

“What I first talked to Eli, or any back, is about durability,” said Eash. “What I like about Eli is he’s a tough little guy. He’s durable and is always going to answer the bell. It would take a great knockout punch to get Eli Williams off the field.”

When Williams ran over a Hope defender in the first game en route to a 177-yard effort, Eash knew he had his man.

“People underestimate Eli’s strength,” said Eash. “He will deliver a blow.”

Williams realized he couldn’t take a wide receiver’s body into the backfield and survive for long. Knowing there was a chance he would be moved, Williams worked in the offseason “to bulk up a little bit.”

“Receiver is not as physical a position, but at running back on every play either you’re blocking those big linemen or getting tackled. It’s a physically demanding job,” he said. “I wanted to be as durable as I could.”

Williams was durable in the season’s 11th week last Saturday. He carried 14 times for 101 yards and caught eight passes for 91 yards in the Titans’ 41-35 double-overtime first-round victory over Wabash.

Eash was hoping Bo Lanter could be in the IWU split-backfield package, but injuries have limited Lanter’s availability. For the most part, senior Travis Brubaker and Williams have formed a “Thunder & Lightning” duo.

Most of Brubaker’s 249 yards have come inside the tackles. The Titans try to get the shifty Williams on the edge, although they aren’t afraid to pound him up the middle.

Williams also can revert to his former receiver role in different formations when he is split out. He is the Titans’ third-leading receiver with 32 catches for 332 yards.

Defensive tackle Max Brooks, who is Williams’ roommate, said “with Eli you have to break down and be ready to make some tackles.” Brooks revealed he made a friendly wager for a milkshake whether he could bring down Williams in the open field.

“I got him the first practice,” said Brooks. “He still hasn’t paid me back.”

Williams shakes his head. He questions whether the tackle actually came in the open field.

There can be no dispute, though, that Eash’s preseason move with Williams has paid off for the Titans.