Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams: 'We have to establish the run by any means'

It's no secret every player who signs with Notre Dame wants to play in big games. 

Saturday is a big game and one none of the players on the roster signed up for as the ACC Championship Game was not possible before a wild 2020 season. 

There is an excitement coming out of The Gug for the chance to win the first conference title in program history and running back Kyren Williams will be more than ready to go. 

"It's different going into a conference championship week like we are right now," stated Williams. "We know this game is part of the three games we need, so we're going to keep working as a whole team and an offense to keep getting better so we can come out on Saturday and play to the best of our abilities on every play." 

The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder has rushed for 1,011 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall and the Irish ground game will be counted on in the rematch against Clemson.

"I feel like doing what we normally do and what we do best, if we establish the run game early, it's going to open a lot more coverage for our receivers to get open and more big plays down the field," explained Williams. "We know as an offense that no matter what it is, we have to establish the run by any means. We're going to get that done, so we can open up more plays down the field."

"We have to be consistent. Play the band of football we know how to play and execute to a high level and make no mistakes. We know what we have to do and we're going to do what we got to do." 

The St. Louis native ran for 140 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers on November 7th.

But Williams isn't watching film of the double-overtime win to prepare for Brent Venables and the Clemson defense in his preparations. 

"I'm not really looking at when we played them last because there's going to be changes," Williams said. "I'm looking up until the last time we played them - November 7th and on. 

"I'm seeing what they did after they lost to us. Seeing what they changed, new personnel and who else is playing."

Notre Dame will be down its starting center for the rest of the year, but Williams is confident in Josh Lugg stepping in as he's impressed those around him over the last two weeks. 

As we all know, Jarrett Patterson is out for the season, so now Josh Lugg is in there. Throughout the two weeks and practice, Josh has been showing up and proving himself every single day. He's out there working hard and asking questions. He's doing everything he needs to do so he can play to his best ability on Saturday.
 
"I trust any man who is on that offensive line. I know they are going to do whatever they have to do to get the job done. I have 100 percent trust in Lugg and I know he can get the job done."