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Notre Dame loses JD Bertrand's targeting appeal, linebacker will miss first half against BYU

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•10/03/22
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Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand chases after a California ball-carrier in a game on Sept. 17, 2022. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Notre Dame will be without a key defensive player after linebacker JD Bertrand‘s targeting appeal was unsuccessful. Notre Dame and coach Marcus Freeman appealed the suspension, which was triggered by a targeting call in the second half of a win over North Carolina on Sept. 24, but the decision was upheld.

Bertrand will have to sit out the first half of this week’s contest against No. 16 BYU. The Fighting Irish had a bye week following the North Carolina win.

The ejection that resulted in Bertrand’s suspension for the first half of this week’s contest with the Cougars came early in the fourth quarter of a 45-32 win over the Tar Heels.

UNC quarterback Drake Maye fired a deep pass over the middle to tight end Bryson Nesbit. Nesbit hauled in the 23-yard reception just before Bertrand arrived for the hit.

While the majority of contact seemed to happen from Bertrand’s chest to Nesbit’s right shoulder, it did appear the crown of Bertrand’s helmet might have made contact with the lower right portion of Nesbit’s helmet.

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JD Bertrand’s targeting appeal fails, despite mixed opinions

Dan Orlovsky, one of the broadcasters calling the Notre Dame-North Carolina game, disagreed with the call at the time.

“I can’t disagree more. I think it’s an awful call,” Orlovsky said. “He hits him, I can see the stickers on the back of the helmet. First contact is made from his facemask right onto the right shoulder of Nesbit.

“Listen, I’m happy Nesbit’s fine. It’s a phenomenal catch. There is no crown of the helmet and there’s no contact on his neck or head. I think it’s an awful call.”

The targeting call against Bertrand is his second of the season. He was also ejected the week prior to the North Carolina game for a targeting call in a 24-17 win over California.