Notre Dame football: 3 mistakes to avoid against Toledo in Week 2
By Brad Weiss
![Sep 5, 2021; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chris Tyree (25) runs past Florida State Seminoles defensive back Akeem Dent (27) during the second quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports Sep 5, 2021; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chris Tyree (25) runs past Florida State Seminoles defensive back Akeem Dent (27) during the second quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/48d0117270d3fd0f9183ffc06035f0b47f448d71d1f645cfeee88f06aaa7ac1b.jpg)
Notre Dame football: 3 mistakes to avoid against Toledo in Week 2
Abandoning the run
During the Florida State game, the Irish had no problem moving the ball through the air, as Jack Coan set the record for most passing yards in a season opener in program history. His four touchdowns also tied the program record for an opener, as he looked very comfortable under center against a tough team on the road.
Unfortunately, the running game did not fare as well, with Kyren Williams averaging under 2.5 yards per carry, which was a shocking turn of events. On Saturday, the Irish need to establish Williams early and often, and even if he struggles a bit behind his new offensive line, they need to keep pounding the ball with the combination of him, and Chris Tyree.
We saw in Week 1 that Coan can certainly carry this offense with his arm, but that is not the way the offense was supposed to be built in 2021. Williams is a guy who could be in the conversation of being a Heisman Trophy candidate when all is said and done, and on Saturday, the Irish need to erase all the memories from his tough outing against Florida State.