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Notre Dame

Jayson Ademilola will miss Gator Bowl, Brandon Joseph ruled a game-time decision

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•12/29/22
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(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Notre Dame is dealing with some injury issues ahead of their Gator Bowl game against South Carolina. Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman had the latest on the team’s health entering the game on Thursday, when he did confirm senior defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola would not play.

“Jayson Ademilola won’t play. He’s the one that I don’t think was out there. He won’t be able to go due to injury,” said Freeman.

He then added that junior defensive back Brandon Joseph has practiced all week but there is still no determination on whether he’ll play.

“Brandon Joseph, he practiced all week, he’ll be a game time decision. We’ll see how he feels.”

So, to sum it up, Freeman noted that, “Jayson is the one we know for sure is out.”

No Ademilola for ND vs. South Carolina. But they could very well have Joseph return to the lineup.

Shane Beamer on Notre Dame’s TEs

The tight end position will look a lot different for both South Carolina and Notre Dame in their upcoming Gator Bowl matchup, especially for the Fighting Irish who will be missing one of the top tight ends in the country in Michael Mayer. Mayer recently declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and will forgo Notre Dame’s bowl game, which Gamecocks’ head coach Shane Beamer spoke about ahead of their game.

“I’d say they’re all good but you’re right, every single year it seems like Notre Dame’s got a big, NFL prototype tight end,” Beamer said. “And obviously he was a really productive guy and a weapon in their passing game that they targeted an unbelievable amount of times, so that’s certainly a big loss for him.”

Mayer was Notre Dame’s leading receiver by a long shot, leading the team in receptions by 37 catches, receiving yards by 469 yards, and receiving touchdowns by six. He was the focal point of their passing game, and the Fighting Irish will now have to rely on younger talent like Kevin Bauman and Holden Staes, the only other tight ends on the roster to record catches this season and combined for four total.