SOUTH BEND, Ind. — University of Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams was named one of five finalists for the 2021 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse. The award is presented to the most versatile player in college football.
Kyren Williams is a key cog in the Notre Dame offense this season. He leads the team in all-purpose yards (1,327), rushing yards (872), total touchdowns (13) and is second on the team in receptions (36). He ranks 18th in the NCAA in total touchdowns, 19th in the country with 132.70 all-purpose yards per game and has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll five times this season.
He led the Irish in the win over Navy with a team-high 95 yards rushing, two rushing touchdowns, seven receptions and 176 all-purpose yards. It was his third-straight game and fourth time this season he has totaled 150 all-purpose yards or more. It is the second time this season he has had multiple rushing touchdowns in a game.
Williams recorded a career-best 199 yards against North Carolina. He ripped off a career-long 91-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter and it tied for the fifth-longest rush in Notre Dame history. The 199 rushing yards were the most by an Irish player since Dexter Williams had 202 against Florida State in 2018. It was the first time this season and third time in his career that Williams rushed for 100 yards or more in back-to-back games. Williams finished the night with a career-high 261 all-purpose yards (199 rushing, 47 returning, 15 receiving). It was the most all-purpose yards by an Irish player since 2009 when Golden Tate had 275 (244 receiving, 31 rushing) against Washington. The 261 all-purpose yards were the third most by any player in FBS during Week 9.
Williams broke out for the Irish with 138 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in the win over Southern Cal. Williams finished with 180 all-purpose yards, his second-highest total this season. The 180 all-purpose yards were the 10th-most by any player in Week 8 and he was just one of three of those 10 players who faced a Power-5 opponent.
The winner of the Hornung Award will be announced on Wednesday, December 8. Williams is looking to be the first winner for the Irish since the award was introduced in 2010.
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