Notre Dame loses two starting linemen for season

Notre Dame’s historic blowout win at Purdue came with a cost, as the team lost starting linemen Ashton Craig and Jordan Botelho to season-ending knee injuries, coach Marcus Freeman said Monday.

Botelho and Craig sustained their injuries on consecutive series during the second quarter of Saturday’s 66-7 win, which marked the largest margin of defeat in Purdue history. Craig had been starting at center for a new-look Fighting Irish offensive line, which lost projected starting tackle Charles Jagusah for the season with a torn pectoral muscle sustained early in training camp.

The third-year sophomore, who injured his left knee, started Notre Dame’s final three games at center last season and the first three this fall. Notre Dame also will be without starting guard Billy Schrauth for several weeks, as he sustained a right ankle injury in the first quarter against Purdue.

Botelho, who injured his right knee, had started Notre Dame’s first three games at the viper position, a defensive end-outside linebacker hybrid spot. The senior has 12 tackles, including a sack, and two quarterback hurries this season.

Second-year freshman Boubacar Traore is set to start for Botelho this week against Miami (Ohio), while junior Pat Coogan moves into the starting center role and junior Rocco Spindler is set to start at right guard in place of Schrauth.

“We have a lot of confidence in Sam and Rocco,” Freeman said.

Starting wide receiver Jordan Faison, who sustained an ankle injury in Notre Dame’s season-opening win at Texas A&M, is “full-go” for the Miami (Ohio) game, Freeman said.

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