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Notre Dame Football: 5 Players who need to step up in the second half

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly is interviewed by ESPN College Gameday hosts Kirk Herbstreit and Maria Taylor during a live broadcast from Notre Dame Stadium before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly is interviewed by ESPN College Gameday hosts Kirk Herbstreit and Maria Taylor during a live broadcast from Notre Dame Stadium before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 5 Players who need to step up in the second half

Kyren Williams-Running Back

Coming into the season, there were plenty of questions about the Norte Dame’s offense. Running back wasn’t one of them, though. Starting running back Kyren Williams was dominant last season, but that hasn’t carried over into 2021.

Williams is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry and 60.5 yards per game, compared to 5.3 yards per carry and 93.75 yards per game last year. That’s a massive drop, and it’s not like anyone has replaced him, this is just lost production making Notre Dame a team that can only pass the ball.

Now, these struggles are partially due to the offensive line and partially due to teams targeting their game plans at him, which they didn’t early last season. Part of it is also on Williams, who has struggled to get north and south at times or shake off the first hit.

Everyone knows that Williams is one of the best running backs in college football, especially because he’s incredibly well-rounded. He has soft hands, is one of the best blocking running backs in the game, and can even return kicks along with his running ability. Now, he needs to improve his production, to allow the Irish offense to become well-rounded, balanced, and truly threaten defenses that they’re up against.

Williams flashed his 2020 self against Virginia Tech, now he just needs to build on that performance.

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