Notre Dame Football: 3 Bold Predictions vs. Clemson in the Cotton Bowl
By Chase Eyrich
Dexter Williams Breaks off Multiple Big Runs
Throughout the five weeks preparing for this game, we have heard it all about how dominant Clemson’s defensive line is. Give credit where credit is due, they are a scary unit.
It’s looking more and more likely that defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence won’t play in the Cotton bowl along with two other Clemson players due to failing drug tests.
With or without Lawrence, this is still a difficult test for Notre Dame. It’s expected that Albert Huggins will take over Lawrence’s position, which is far from a player who has fallen through the cracks this season.
The senior has been the fifth man all season long, getting a vast amount of snaps from the beginning.
It’s a dominant line and a tall task for Notre Dame, but Williams will do what he’s done all season. He’s a different kind of running back than Clemson has faced this year.
With Williams’ powerful frame and quick first step, he’s bound to be more dangerous than Clemson can prepare for.
All season long he’s been a consistent back. Where he’s been dangerous is when Notre Dame needs him the most.
On his first snap of the season, he hit the gap for a 45-yard touchdown against Stanford. He kick started the ridiculous second half against Virginia Tech with a 97-yard rushing touchdown. Against Florida State, he couldn’t be stopped, logging 202 rushing yards on the day.
It’s not that he won’t have a few runs get stuffed at the line. Where Williams is dangerous is in those big moments when Notre Dame needs a play. That’s when Williams throws up the deuces.