Hannibal’s Williams plays key role in helping Irish earn spot in national championship game

HANNIBAL, Mo. — University of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock borrowed a page from Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender’s master plan.

In a gut-check moment, give Aneyas Williams the ball.

At the start of the second half of Thursday night’s Orange Bowl, with the Fighting Irish trailing Penn State 10-3, Williams provided the spark that turned the game around.

The true freshman running back — a 2024 graduate of Hannibal High School — caught a 36-yard pass on second and 1 from midfield, then burst free for a 15-yard gain on the next play to set up first and goal from the Nittany Lions’ 4-yard line.

Two plays later, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard scored on a 3-yard run, allowing the Irish to tie the game and set in motion a chain of events that led to a 27-24 victory and spot in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Notre Dame will play the winner of Friday night’s Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Williams caught a career-high five passes for 66 yards and had two carries for 17 yards, amassing 83 yards of total offense against the Nittany Lions.

A four-time all-state selection at Hannibal, Williams became one of the most bally-hooed prep products this area has ever produced. He finished his career with the Pirates having amassed 4,255 yards rushing, 3,249 yards receiving and 155 touchdowns.

He scored his first collegiate touchdown in a 49-7 victory over Stanford on a 19-yard run and has 219 yards rushing with two scores and 172 yards receiving this season.