Kyren Williams Grateful for 1,000 Yards & Notre Dame's Offensive Line
Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams needed 99 yards to hit the 1,000 rushing yards this season.
Williams had just 36 yards on nine carries at halftime as the Irish offense struggled to find a rhythm.
"I thought we started to run the ball much better," Kelly said of the run game. "They were extremely aggressive. We had to dig out some safeties and extra hats that were rotating down that were hard to get on. We were able to fit them up a little bit later in the game and run the ball a little more opportunities. It allowed Ian some opportunities earlier in the game and I thought he took advantage of them."
Book took advantage of the run defense as the Irish got out to a 24-7 lead, but Williams and the Irish offensive line finished the game with 27 rushes in the second half.
Oh, Williams did eclipse the 1,000-yard mark with a 14-yard rush in the fourth quarter as he finished with 20 carries for 110 yards.
"Reaching that goal has been a goal of mine since quarantine when I really realized I could do this and play at this level," said Williams. "When I came into the season, that was one of my goals.
"I attribute that to my offensive line. Without them, it's not possible. Every yard, every second of that I had, I went to go thank them."
The bond between Williams his line has not only led to production, but it's one that both sides have a great deal of trust in.
"I feel like the offensive line and the running back room, we're all close," Williams explained. "We're always chatting and everything. With the offensive line, no matter who it is, if it's Gibby (Dillan Gibbons) or Tommy, I know they're going to go out and play their heart out. That's what they both did today. Tommy, Gibby and (Josh) Lugg played their hearts out today.
"I appreciate them. I know all the running backs and offensive coaches appreciate all they do. They're soldiers and they go through a lot."
Williams also has embraced his other role as the juice man, which was key on Saturday as just over 6,800 people were inside Notre Dame Stadium.
"I feel like it's just a natural thing," said Williams. "My mom and dad are both rowdy people. At games, they were always loud, bringing energy. They always had that energy to them. From playing little league, my dad has always instilled that I had to bring the energy or juice to get people around me fired up.
"I feel like I can keep doing what I'm doing - keep trying to get the guys hyped up, energy and juiced. As everyone knows, juice here is a big thing. As long as we keep the juice up, we can be good."