Jordan Botelho, Ashton Craig injury update: Status revealed for Notre Dame stars vs. Purdue
After a dominant first half against Purdue, Notre Dame will go the rest of the way without Jordan Botelho and Ashton Craig. The Fighting Irish stars left in the first half with injuries and will not return, CBS’ Jenny Dell reported.
Botelho left on a cart with a leg injury in the second quarter. Shortly thereafter, Craig suffered an injury of his own and walked off the field with help from the trainers. Those injuries came after right guard Billy Schrauth got hurt in the first quarter and wouldn’t return.
“With eight minutes left, Notre Dame d-lineman Jordan Botelho was carted off the field with an apparent right leg injury. His teammates came up to give him some love. He has been ruled out for the game,” Dell reported in the second quarter. “Just a minute later, their center, Ashton Craig, went down with a left leg injury. He was helped off the field straight into the injury tent. Just walked into the locker room, guys. He is out, as well.”
Schrauth was the first Notre Dame player ruled out with an injury, leaving in the first quarter. He later was ruled out after further evaluation in the locker room and was working with crutches on the sideline.
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After struggling last week against Northern Illinois, Notre Dame put on a show on both sides of the ball in the first half against Purdue. The Boilermakers managed just 72 yards of offense as the Fighting Irish took a 42-0 lead into the break. Boubacar Traore also ran back a Hudson Card interception for a pick-six.
Notre Dame used a strong running game to build the commanding lead. Riley Leonard totaled three rushing touchdowns to go with 100 yards on the ground. Jeremiyah Love also looked impressive with 94 yards and a touchdown, while Jadarian Price took a 70-yard rushing score.
Notre Dame then turned to Steve Angeli at quarterback given the sizeable lead, and he quickly made his presence felt. He found Cooper Flanagan for the Fighting Irish’s first passing touchdown of the year on a 28-yard pass, which also made it a 49-0 advantage to start the third quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium.
It was quite a showing, and Marcus Freeman acknowledged it during his halftime interview. He acknowledged the running game, but also pointed out the decision-making from Leonard.
“I think we’re doing a great job running the football, making good decisions at the quarterback position,” Freeman said. “Coaches got to help the players, and I think the coaches are doing a good job of putting our players in a really good situation to have success.”