Irish DBs to Miss Fiesta Bowl

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got some bad news in advance of their matchup with Ohio State in Friday's Fiesta Bowl. Coach Brian Kelly announced at his media conference that junior safety Max Redfield and junior cornerback Devin Butler would both miss the game. Redfield was sent home to California after an undisclosed violation of team rules. Butler broke a bone in his left foot on Monday, and will be unable to play Friday. Both players were probably starters for the Irish. Senior Mathias Farely is expected to start at safety in place of Redfield, and sophomore Nick Watkins will make his ever start at corner with freshman Nick Coleman backing him up. Irish fans may also see junior WR Torii Hunter Jr. playing snaps on defense. The Irish secondary was already thin before today's bad news having lost Avery Sebastian, Keivarae Russel and Drue Tranquill to season ending injuries.

Kelly did not provide any details regarding the Redfield suspension or what it might mean for Redfield's future at ND. Butler with a normal timetable for a metatarsal injury should be recovered in time to participate in most if not all of spring practice. The Ohio State Buckeyes also lost two starters between the end of the regular season and the Fiesta Bowl. They will be without defensive linemen Adolphus Washington (suspension) and Tommy Schutt (injury). All-American DE Joey Bosa is expected to move inside and play at defensive tackle in response to the injuries.