Anthonie Knapp injury update: Notre Dame coach explains left tackle's in-game exit

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman shared an injury update on starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp following the No. 6 Irish’s 27-24 loss to No. 10 Miami.

In Freeman’s postgame news conference Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium, Freeman said his sophomore offensive lineman left the game due to cramping. Redshirt sophomore Styles Prescod replaced Knapp at left tackle.

Freeman’s explanation of Knapp’s absence aligns with ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath’s in-game observation during the second half. According to McGrath, Knapp had a wet towel compressed against his neck and ate a popsicle during the game. He ended up playing after McGrath’s report. However, Prescod eventually replaced him in the fourth quarter.

A dominant Hurricanes defensive line challenged Notre Dame’s Knapp and Company for four quarters in Miami Gardens. First-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman attacked offensive line coach Joe Rudolph’s unit all night long, coming away with 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry.

On the final series, Notre Dame’s offensive line concerns came to a head. Carr was sacked twice by sixth-year defensive end Akheem Mesidor, who helped the Hurricanes run down the clock at the end of the game. The Irish only ended up getting off four plays in the final 1:02 of the game.

Besides Prescod replacing Knapp, Notre Dame also used two right guards. At the start of the second half, redshirt sophomore Sullivan Absher replaced redshirt freshman Guerby Lambert, who made his first career start. Eventually, Lambert replaced Prescod in the third quarter. After the game, Freeman said they planned the positional switch-up, revealing as much on Tuesday.

“They both can be involved in the game plan,” Freeman told reporters. We have to make a final decision here, probably after our Tuesday and Wednesday practice, who’s going to go out first. But it could be a situation that you see them both.”

Absher and Lambert both appeared in games last season for the Irish. Meanwhile, Prescod made his collegiate debut. The four-star offensive tackle out of Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury and redshirted. Still, he received plenty of reps at left tackle in the spring while Knapp recovered from an ankle injury.

In addition to Knapp’s injury, Freeman said postgame they had concerns about junior cornerback Christian Gray’s shoulder. However, Gray returned and played the majority of the game.

BOX SCORE: No. 6 Notre Dame 24, No. 10 Miami 27