Jeremiyah Love injury update: Marcus Freeman makes definitive statement on Notre Dame RB for Orange Bowl

Marcus Freeman said Jeremiyah Love would play in Thursday’s Orange Bowl against Penn State, but the big question is just how healthy he’ll be. The Notre Dame head coach made a definitive statement prior to kickoff, though.

Freeman told ESPN’s Molly McGrath Love will be ready to compete in the College Football Playoff semifinal. While he’ll have to leave the games at times to preserve his sprained knee, Notre Dame is still going to make sure he gets the rock.

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Jadarian Price would be waiting in the wings in Love’s place, and Freeman praised the other running backs on the roster. Still, he expects the Fighting Irish’s leading rusher to make his mark.

“As much as we need him to,” Freeman said when asked how much he expects Love to contribute. “Listen, he’s a competitor, and we’re gonna have to probably take him out at times. But he’s gonna want to be in the game and want to impact this game, and he will.

“We’ll find ways to get the ball in his hands. But we’re confident in the stable of running backs that we have to have them out there and produce.”

Love re-injured his knee in last week’s Sugar Bowl against Georgia, aggravating an injury he suffered in the regular-season finale against USC. He went through practice this week preparing to try and give it a go, and Blue & Gold’s Jack Soble reported Love wasn’t wearing a brace during warm-ups Thursday night.

As for how Notre Dame’s offense will adjust to Love’s injury, ESPN’s Pete Thamel said Price will likely take the lead in the backfield. But Riley Leonard is sure to be more active in the running game, as well. He played a crucial role in last week’s victory, and that could continue Thursday night in Miami.

“Jeremiyah Love’s going to warm up. He’s going to try to give it a go,” Thamel said on College Football Live Thursday afternoon. “I don’t see him significantly impacting this game if he’s not 100% because he won’t be that smoke through the keyhole, he won’t be that dynamic player. The impact on the game is simple. We’re going to see more Riley Leonard called runs. They called nine quarterback designed runs against Georgia – he had four other scrambles. Riley Leonard accounted for 37% of the overall Notre Dame rushing yards in that game. For a quarterback to run for 37% of the yards, that’s like military academy stuff.

“We’re going to see Jadarian Price. I would not be surprised if he ends up starting. It could be a ceremonial start for Love. But look for Riley Leonard to carry the load tonight on those designed QB runs. Again, Jeremiyah Love is one of the three most important players for Notre Dame. He will not be 100%. We’ll see how much he can give them and impact the game tonight.”