*Kyren Williams, Notre Dame Football News: Draft Scout Player News

10/24/21 - RB *Kyren Williams, rSo/2022, Notre Dame

Kyren Williams and No. 13 Notre Dame's offensive line took a big step forward Saturday night, withstanding Southern California's fourth-quarter rally for a 31-16 victory. With fellow running back Chris Tyree sidelined by turf toe, Williams had two short touchdown runs and a season-high 138 yards on 25 carries for coach Brian Kelly's 6-1 team, and after the game saluted his offensive linemen for his performance. "Shoutout to the O-linemen for working hard and making it possible," Williams said about the rebuilt line that lost four starters from last season. "I just had to have the mindset to dominate and not be stopped by anybody." Williams, a preseason Associated Press All-American who rushed for 1,175 yards last season, entered Saturday's game with just 370 yards. He also gained another 42 yards with a team-high six receptions.

Williams scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter while helping the Irish to a 17-3 halftime lead and then added a 1-yard run late in the third quarter to put the Irish up 24-3 en route to their fourth straight victory in the 92-game series. "Kyren ran with an attitude that was just pervasive throughout the entire offense.," Kelly said. "We needed to see our offense mature, and tonight the offense began to come together the way we wanted. We played faster. We put Jack (Coan) in position where the ball came out quick. It gave us the kind of offensive flow we've been looking for." Coan completed 20 of 28 passes for 189 yards and one TD, a 4-yard scoring pass to Avery Davis that put the Irish up 7-0 in the first quarter. Jonathan Doerer had a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter. - Notre Dame/AP College Football

rSo/2022