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Notre Dame Football: 3 shakeups that should happen despite the undefeated start

By Andrew Miller

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly stands in the tunnel in front of his team before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly stands in the tunnel in front of his team before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

3. Ramp up the workload for Dexter Williams

The return to the line up of senior running back Dexter Williams was one of the best things to have to Notre Dame football this season. Williams took over in place of another effective running back in junior Tony Jones Jr. Notre Dame actually has a rather productive one-two punch out of the backfield in Williams and Jones Jr.

Starting with the win over the Stanford Cardinal a few weeks back, Williams took off for the biggest two-game stretch of his career. He slowed down a bit in the close Oct. 13 home victory over Pitt. But, Williams should be able to pick up the pace again with a heavy-rushing team looming on Oct. 27 in the Navy Midshipmen.

The five-point win over Pitt saw Williams get only 13 rushing attempts for 31 yards and no touchdowns. Compared to the more than 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns he had in the previous two games, that’s quite the letdown. And, the two run defenses that Williams faced before Pitt were traditionally much more stout.

If Williams can get back to that groove that he found in the wins over Stanford and the Virginia Tech Hokies, Notre Dame will have a lot more success on the ground down the stretch. Williams is the best running back on the roster. With a potent offensive line blocking in front of him, Williams should get at least 20 attempts each week.

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