Notre Dame offensive lineman Rocco Spindler sidelined during the Indiana game
Blue & Gold spotted Notre Dame graduate student offensive lineman Rocco Spindler on the sideline in street clothes during the third quarter of Friday’s College Football Playoff game against Indiana. Sophomore Sam Pendleton replaced him at right guard in the second half.
Spindler received the Notre Dame medical staff’s attention early in the second quarter. Blue & Gold discovered Spindler was in the injury tent. As he emerged, he appeared to do a few calf raises and then return to the game.
During ESPN’s television broadcast, they speculated Spindler might be out due to an injury.
“They apparently lost their starting right guard Rocco Spindler due to injury,” ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Sean McDonough said.
With Spindler available in the first half, the Irish had 17 carries for 155 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and 1 touchdown. The offensive line did not surrender any sacks.
Spindler has started the last nine games at right guard for the Irish, including Friday’s game against Indiana.
Last year, Spindler started the first 10 games at right guard before sustaining a knee injury against Clemson on Nov. 4, 2023, which ruled him out for the season.
Spindler eventually worked his way back to compete in spring practice, but the Irish decided to go with junior Billy Schrauth at left guard to start the season. Schrauth replaced him last season.
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With a reshuffled offensive line to start 2024, Schrauth sustained a high ankle sprain against Purdue on Sept. 14, thrusting Spindler back to action. He reclaimed his starting spot while Schrauth replaced Pendleton at left guard Oct. 26.
Entering Saturday’s game, Spindler had not allowed any sacks and just 6 pressures in 297 pass-blocking snaps. Just one of those pressures was a quarterback hit, while the other 5 were hurries.
Last season, Spindler had 292 pass-blocking snaps. He gave up 15 pressures (2 sacks, 5 quarterback hits and 8 quarterback hurries. As a junior, it was his first season as a starter.
A product of Clarkston (Mich.) High, Spinder was among the most heralded recruits in the 2021 class. According to the On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — he was the No. 3 prospect in Michigan, the No. 4 interior offensive lineman nationally and the No. 65 overall player.
