Game Preview: BYU
On Paper
By Andrew Owens
BYU Running Game Vs.
Notre Dame Run Defense
Dynamic sophomore quarterback Taysom Hill led
the Cougars with 841 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in the team's first eight games. Hill and sophomore running back Jamaal Williams, who had 145
carries for 733 yards (5.1 yards per rush) and three
scores, have powered the successful BYU rushing attack to the nation's No. 14 ranking two-thirds of the
way through the season.
In September, BYU rushed for an astounding 550
yards and four touchdowns in a 40-21 beat-down
of Texas, leading to the firing of Longhorn defensive
coordinator Manny Diaz.
Notre Dame fell to 65th in rushing defense (164.9
yards allowed per contest) following its back-to-back
matchups with run-heavy foes Air Force and Navy.
The Irish front has been inconsistent much of the
season and has been decimated by injuries in recent
weeks — seniors Louis Nix III and Kona Schwenke,
juniors Ishaq Williams and Ben Councell, and sophomore Sheldon Day have all been lost at one point or
another. The unit will need to utilize all of its depth
to stymie the Cougars.
A year ago, the Irish held BYU to 66 rushing yards
in the 17-14 win. With the Hill-Williams duo this sea-
Sophomore running back Jamaal Williams, who was averaging 5.1 yards per carry en route to 733 yards
and three scores through eight games, is part of a potent BYU rushing attack.
photo courtesy BYU
