The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are preparing to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night, but the Irish will be without one of their star players in the game.
During his press conference earlier this week, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman announced that star left tackle Anthonie Knapp will not be able to play in Monday’s national title game against the Buckeyes after suffering a high ankle sprain in the win against Penn State in the semifinals earlier this month.
Needless to say, this is a pretty big blow for Notre Dame given how well Knapp has performed this season and what he has meant to the Fighting Irish this year.
Knapp earned the starting left tackle spot in fall camp as a true freshman and started all 15 games for Notre Dame throughout the season, emerging as one of college football’s biggest young stars and earning Freshman All-American status for his play this season.
With Knapp sidelined, the Fighting Irish are expected to turn to redshirt freshman Charles Jagusah at left tackle, according to Pete Thamel, and he will likely have his hands full against the Buckeyes defensive line in his first start of the season and second start of his career.
Throughout the playoffs, Ohio State’s pass rush has been nothing short of elite, and that included the semifinal win over the Texas Longhorns, who boasted one of the top offensive lines in the entire country.
In Ohio State’s win over Texas, Ohio State defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau combined for 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 hurries, and 2 pass breakups along with the forced fumble and fumble recovery touchdown from Sawyer that effectively ended the game late in the fourth quarter.
In addition to Knapp’s injury, Notre Dame starting right guard Rocco Spindler also suffered an ankle injury in the win against Penn State, but he has been cleared to play.
We’ll have to see how this loss impacts Notre Dame as they face off against the Buckeyes with the national title on the line.
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