Notre Dame KB Riley Leonard in starting LT vs. Ohio State with ankle injury
Notre Dame surprised some people on its way to College Football Playoff The national championship game, where they will play against Ohio State. Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish struggled Indiana, Georgia and Penn State during this 12-team CFP mission, and now 60 minutes stands between them and the top of the mountain.
Unfortunately for Notre Dame, they got a little shaky during a grueling playoff run. During the semifinal against Penn State at the Orange Bowl, starting left tackle Anthony Knapp went down with an ankle injury and did not return. Freeman announced Sunday that the injury will keep Knapp out in the title gameaccording to Pat Ford of Sports Illustrated. He also said starting guard Rocco Spindler is trying to play but is still working his way back.
“Marcus Freeman: Injured OT Anthony Knapp out for title game with high ankle sprain,” Forde reported about the Notre Dame lineman on X, formerly Twitter. “OG Rocco Spindler — ‘We’ll see how he goes.'”
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Good play up front will be a big key for Notre Dame vs Ohio State’s defensive line terrorized opposing teams so far in these playoffs. The Buckeyes are talented on both the edge and the interior and have the ability to break down any opposing offense with that group, so whoever fills in at left tackle has a tough task ahead of them.
Notre Dame is also dealing with a number of other injuries to its offense, but there is some good news just over a week away from the big game. Star running back Jeremiah Love, who has been nursing a knee injury, should be ready to play in the title game and wide receiver Beaux Collins has a chance to return from a calf strain, according to Forde.
Collins did not play in the win against Penn State, while Love tried to endure it. Although his usage was greatly reduced due to a knee injury, that didn’t stop him from making several big plays, including a tough touchdown to give Notre Dame the lead in the second half. If this Notre Dame football team wants to pull off an upset of Ohio State in the championship game, it will need all hands on deck.
2025-01-12 18:03:00
