Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame’s offensive tackle, will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship due to a high ankle sprain sustained in the Orange Bowl semifinal victory against Penn State. Right guard Rocco Spindler is expected to play, but he will need to rest during the week.
Knapp had a good season after capturing the starting left tackle position as a true freshman. The Roswell, Georgia native started all 15 games for the Fighting Irish and did not allow a single sack in his final nine games. Knapp became only the third true freshman offensive lineman to start for Notre Dame in a season opener.
When Knapp went down, senior Tosh Baker joined the game against the Nittany Lions and allowed five hurries and a sack of quarterback Riley Leonard in 61 snaps. Spindler also left after 22 snaps and was replaced by Charles Jagusah, who is only now returning after missing the whole regular season with a torn right pectoralis.
Running back Jeremiyah Love, who had a knee injury against Penn State, is anticipated to be totally healed for the title game. Wide receiver Beaux Collins is recovering from a calf issue and will be watched during practice. In addition, Notre Dame has been struggling with a strain of the flu, but coach Marcus Freeman does not expect it to affect the game.
“Ohio State is probably dealing with it, too,” Freeman added. “I think probably over half of our team has gotten it already, so I don’t think it will have an impact on this week’s game.”
Potential options
Baker battled for the starting job out of camp, but offensive line coach Joe Rudolph chose the promising and untested Knapp. Prior to his injury, Notre Dame had projected Jagusah to start at left tackle.
When Spindler went down, Jagusah entered the lineup as an offensive guard for the first time this season and performed admirably. Freeman left open the possibility of Jagusah joining the tackle rotation, depending on how he practices this week. If not, Baker will be the next in line to start.
“As far as the starting lineup, we’ll do what’s best for our program,” Freeman told the crowd. “We need to figure that out. We have a week of preparation to make sure we have the appropriate guys to start this game, and we’ll find out what that is in the next few days.”
Piling injuries
The Fighting Irish have been ravaged by injuries this season, particularly in the trenches. Knapp and Spindler are the third and fourth offensive linemen to suffer major injuries, joining Jagusah and center Ashton Craig. The defensive line has been similarly devastated, with sack leader Rylie Mills, senior Jordan Botelho, and freshman Boubacar Traore all suffering season-ending injuries.
Despite the losses, Notre Dame has maintained its momentum. The Fighting Irish defeated formidable trench clubs Georgia and Penn State in the last two weekends to win their first national championship since competing in the BCS title game in 2012. Ohio State will offer a new challenge. The Buckeyes have won six consecutive games against the Fighting Irish, dating back to 1995.
