WATCH: Kyren Williams emerges from swam of defenders for 51-yard touchdown

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams came into the season as a Heisman candidate but has had a quiet season so far. That changed on Saturday in a 27-13 win over Purdue.

Late in the fourth quarter, Williams had this 51-yard run. 

KYREN WILLIAMS IS UP TO NO GOOD #CFB pic.twitter.com/HgRiYzRZt8

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 18, 2021

Williams, who is one of the strongest members of the Fighting Irish squad, enters into a mass of defenders and somehow emerges out of the other side. He splits two defenders around the 20-yard line and scampers into the end zone for six.

Williams also had a 39-yard touchdown catch on a 4th-and-3 play and finished the night with 138 yards from scrimmage: 12 carries for 91 yards and two receptions for 47.

The junior captain now has four touchdowns on the year, two on the ground and two through the air, which leads the team.

Quarterback Jack Coan went 15-for-30 with 223 yards and two touchdowns. It was his worst game yardage-wise to date, but this game was his first without a turnover (if we count the FSU Hail Mary interception). Coan protected the ball well, but seemed a little off all day, often overthrowing his receivers.

Wide receiver Kevin Austin was noticeably absent today, although he was targeted multiple times. He did not record a reception. Wide receiver Avery Davis had the longest play of the day, a 62-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

After two subpar games that had the Irish faithful questioning new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, the Notre Dame defense played well Saturday, allowing just 13 points and one touchdown. The longest play of the day was a 32-yard pass to wide receiver David Bell. Notre Dame held the Boilermakers to just 57 yards on the ground, and they allowed a season-low 348 total yards.

The side storyline of the week, the Purdue band’s drum that has traveled with them for every game since 1979, was not in Notre Dame Stadium. Following the win, Notre Dame’s twitter account had a little fun trolling the Boilermakers and the drum situation.

“I liked the way our guys prepared this week,” Kelly said after the game. “Our level of preparation rose and so did our performance. It wasn’t the best by any means. But we developed some players today. They got grittier.”

With the win, Irish head coach Brian Kelly tied Notre Dame legend Knute Rockne for the all-time winningest coach in school history with 105 wins. Kelly will look to pass Rockne next weekend in a battle with Wisconsin in Chicago.