Dae Williams could be a touchdown machine for Louisville football

After finally getting healthy, Dae Williams could find success under the new Louisville football coaching staff.

Dae Williams went straight up the middle and scampered into the endzone nearly untouched, and put two fingers up outstretched, signifying his second touchdown of the game. Williams had just put Louisville football ahead for the first time in the waning minutes of their September 16th, 2018 game against Western Kentucky.

What was left of the anxiety-filled Cardinal stadium on an uncomfortably sticky fall day let out a roar as if the Cards had just taken the lead against a conference foe and not an overmatched in-state rival.

Williams, however, was unphased by the perceived level of competition, nor the game time or situation. He was just happy to be back on the field and in the endzone once again.

Without his bursts off tackle and up the middle throughout the second half, the Cards may have ultimately dropped a game in humiliating fashion. But instead, many saw that moment as a small turning point in the Cardinals’ season.

At that moment, most around the program relished the small victories. After all, Louisville was blasted by Alabama in their season opener, and near monsoon-like conditions dampened the Cards’s hopes of taking out their pent up anger on Indiana State a week prior.

The Cards put up only three points in the first half against the Hilltoppers and looked like the lesser of the two teams for the good part of three quarters prior to Williams taking over in the backfield. All-in-all, he had nine carries for 54 yards, including runs of 21 and 10 yards, and Louisville’s only two touchdowns.

Cards fans became familiar with his heroics during his redshirt freshman season when he recovered miraculously from a pre-season ACL tear to put the team on his back en route to a road victory over Florida State.

However, just as Williams got back to 100 percent in his Sophomore campaign, he was injured again only a week after the Western Kentucky game when he broke his wrist at Virginia.

The loss of Williams was disheartening for a backfield in search for answers during a sickeningly ugly final season under Bobby Petrino.

A chance for a fresh start

The arrival of first-year head coach Scott Satterfield is a welcomed one for Williams. The chance for a fresh start under the new regime is one that is welcomed by all players and fans alike, but it could be a bit more sweet for a player like Williams who probably could use a mental reset.

Two years with flashes of success only to be marred by injuries can take a toll on any player. But Williams seems to be taking things in stride. After an offseason filled with rumors that he could enter the transfer portal, it appears that Williams is back for his redshirt Junior season and healthy to boot.

In only 60 rushes during his career, Williams has gone for over 300 yards and five touchdowns- that’s a touchdown every twelve times he touches the ball, and one for every 2 games he’s played in.

It remains to be seen if the new coaching staff will favor Tobias Little, an emerging blocker and solid runner, as a third down back, or if they will roll with Williams. Rising sophomore Hassan Hall figures to win the starting nod, and the new staff loves speedster Javian Hawkins. True freshman Aidan Robbins is promising as a big back with some breakaway speed, and the Cards could ultimately see former stud recruit Colin Wilson return after not getting much love in the transfer portal.

Only time will tell how the Cards stack up in the backfield, but one thing seems certain: If Dae Williams is in the game in short yardage situations, your money should be on him to get the first down or find his way into the endzone.

Players like Williams could give Louisville football a fighting chance with a tough ACC slate in 2019.