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Notre Dame football: 3 Keys to victory against UNC in Week 9

By Brad Weiss

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs against Jahlil Taylor #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs against Jahlil Taylor #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball as USC Trojans cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart (6) defends in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 3 Keys to victory against UNC in Week 9

Get the ball into Kyren Williams’ hands early and often

On Saturday night, one of our bold predictions was that Kyren Williams would rush for over 125 yards against the USC Trojans, and he did not disappoint. The redshirt sophomore had his best game of the season against USC, rushing for 138 yards in the contest, and helping the Irish control the line of scrimmage throughout.

This Saturday night, the Irish need to stick to that formula, especially with how much better the offensive line is playing right now. Williams needs to tote the rock early and often against UNC, as that will soften their pass defense, as well as take advantage of a Tar Heels defense that can be terrible against the run.

Williams came into the season as a Doak Walker Award watch list player, and while he has not had the kind of season he had in 2020, there is still a lot of football left to be played. He needs to be the focal point of this offense on Saturday night because if he can get it going, the Irish should be able to cruise to victory.

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