Marcus Freeman’s apology may have smoothed things over with Aneyas Williams personally, but the Notre Dame backfield is telling a different story.
The Irish head coach was still clearly bothered by what unfolded Saturday night after Williams’ choreographed celebration drew an excessive celebration penalty. The camera caught Freeman seething on the sideline, and he could be heard shouting, “What are we doing?!”
multiple times, each time with more heat behind it. When Williams came back to the bench, Freeman delivered an animated exchange that made it obvious the moment had landed hard.
Williams’ own reaction suggested he understood the message.
By Monday, Freeman was trying to clean up the aftermath. He told reporters he regretted how he had addressed Williams and said that kind of moment should stay inside the program and away from public view. He also made a point of reinforcing that there was no personal rift.
“I told him I was proud of him,” Freeman said during the weekly press conference Monday afternoon. “He’s got a lot on his plate and a lot of expectations.
He puts a lot of pressure on himself to be this great running back, and he works tremendously hard. I’m really proud of who he is and the leadership he brings."
That doesn’t mean Williams is safe from a role change.
His Saturday night turned quiet fast. After the penalty, he logged just one touch in the second half, while Nolan James Jr. took over most of the work after halftime and turned in the best game by any Notre Dame running back this season. James finished with 121 yards and a touchdown, production that earned him a promotion of sorts on the official Week 4 depth chart released Monday for the Purdue game.
The depth chart listed James as a co-starter with Williams, a notable shift and another sign that Notre Dame’s staff has grown frustrated with Williams’ production. He had 29 yards on 9 carries Saturday night, and the new setup suggests the coaches are ready to lean harder on James if the trend continues.
That possibility lines up with what running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said last week, when he floated the idea that Williams may be pressing.
"I really think he's feeling that pressure, and I've got to do a good job helping him," Seider said after positing that Williams has been pressing. "Sometimes it might be taking a step back to watch somebody else play.
That's what we find out as coaches. What do we do to help him?"
Now the answer may be unfolding right in front of Notre Dame. With Williams and James listed together at the top of the depth chart, the Irish are heading into Saturday afternoon’s game at Purdue with a backfield battle that looks very real.
In Other News...
Former Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec Is Back In The News Again
Phil Jurkovecs football path has already taken enough twists to keep him in the conversation around the sport, from his transfer to Pittsburgh in 2022 to his six-game stint in 2023 before going undrafted in 2024. The former Boston College and Pittsburgh quarterback, once a familiar name in the ACC, is now facing a very different kind of attention after being arrested on Sept. 18 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
According to the facts available, Jurkovec was arrested after allegedly stealing a box truck from Allegheny Health Networks Wexford Hospital. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled later this month as the case moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame's Miami Test Suddenly Looks Very Different
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For the Fighting Irish, the developments matter because this trip now looks a little different than it did even a few days ago. Miami is still sorting through its linebacker situation with other players availability unclear, and that kind of uncertainty can change how a team prepares from one week to the next. Notre Dame will still have to earn every inch in a road game with stakes attached, but the Hurricanes injury list has added a fresh layer of instability to a matchup that already had enough intrigue. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dames Purdue Spread Comes With One Complication Fans Cant Ignore
Notre Dame heads into its matchup with Purdue carrying the kind of hefty betting line that usually reflects a clear talent gap. DraftKings has the Irish favored by 27.5 points, and on paper it is easy to see why: Purdues defense has had a rough season, while Notre Dame has looked strong on both sides of the ball.
Still, the spread is not the only thing worth watching here. Notre Dame is working through some defensive injuries, which adds a little uncertainty to a game that otherwise looks comfortable, and Purdue at least has a quarterback who can keep things interesting in Ryan Browne, who has already topped 1,000 passing yards with seven touchdown throws and just one interception. [Read more 🡒]