Injury bug bites Irish on both sides of ball
BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com September 8, 2012 11:48PM
Updated: October 10, 2012 6:40AM
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It’s going to be a busy week for the Notre Dame athletic training staff. Six key players were knocked out of Saturday’s 20-17 victory over Purdue.
Defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore strained his calf on the first Purdue series. His replacement, freshman Sheldon Day, pressured Caleb TerBush into throwing one of two interceptions to Bennett Jackson, but sat the rest of the game with dehydration.
Safety Jamoris Slaughter hurt his shoulder making a ferocious hit on Gabe Holmes to break up a pass late in the first half. Linebacker Ishaq Williams hurt his elbow.
On offense, star tight end Tyler Eifert suffered what coach Brian Kelly called a “slight concussion” after making four catches for 98 yards.
Receiver DaVaris Daniels, who had four catches for 70 yards, sprained his ankle.
None returned to the game.
“They’ll probably be things that we’ll have to manage,” Kelly said. “The expectation would be that most of these guys are going to clear in a very short period of time.”
Kelly also said kicker Nick Tausch strained his groin during practice. Kickoff specialist Kyle Brindza handled the field goal duties, missing a 40-yarder in the first quarter, but booting the game-winning 27-yarder with seven seconds left.
Notes
The Irish committed just four penalties against Navy, but they had eight against Purdue, including five on the offensive line, and a personal foul each to captains Zack Martin and Manti Te’o.
◆ Notre Dame was 11 of 19 on third downs. Purdue was 6-for-11 in the first half, but 0-for-6 in the second.
