A shaky Notre Dame defense got even shakier as the Fighting Irish lost starting middle linebacker Joe Schmidt for the year after fracturing and dislocating his ankle in a 49-39 win over Navy on Saturday night, according to CSNChicago.com.
Schmidt was injured during the third quarter, and will undergo surgery on Tuesday.
A junior, Schmidt lead the team with 65 tackles (42 solo) while also collecting two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three passes defended, three quarterback hits, one pass breakup and half a tackle for loss.
As a unit, Notre Dame ranks 41st nationally in total defense, 44th in yards per play allowed, 29th in scoring defense, 31st in rushing defense and 54th in pass efficiency defense.
Head coach Brian Kelly said Sunday that redshirt freshman Michael Deeb and true freshman Nyles Morgan will work to replace Schmidt.
“I think everybody is going to have to pick up a little bit,” Kelly told ESPN.com. “Jaylon [Smith] is going to have to pick up. I think the defensive line is going to have to be more assertive in making sure they’re taking care of their end of things. I think our safeties. I think everybody is going to have to pick up the slack for the loss of a guy that really did most of the work.
“Yeah, he’s a big loss, but I think our guys understand that it’s a next-man-in, and let’s get young guys ready to roll.”
No. 8 Notre Dame visits No. 11 Arizona State Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
