Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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was announced that Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly's contract had been extended through the 2017 season. One of the important items to Kelly in the agreement was to open up the lines of communication between himself and the university on disciplinary or academic matters rather than just be a bystander. That aspect was tested this August when three projected starters — senior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, senior defensive end Ishaq Williams and junior cornerback KeiVarae Russell — plus re- serve fifth-year senior inside linebacker Kendall Moore were withheld from football-related activities since Aug. 15 because of an academic fraud investiga- tion by the school. On Aug. 29, senior safety Eilar Hardy was added to the list. When the fall semester began Aug. 26, with the Rice opener four days away, Kelly admitted he had zero feedback on their status during the investigation but was satisfied with the process and his role in it. "I did not feel in this instance that I was at any time left out of the loop, felt as though I was blindsided by a long investigation," Kelly said. "I think the information that was ascertained in this matter was pretty straightforward. It was quick, and once they were able to kind of confirm the information, [ath- letics director] Jack [Swarbrick] let me know." All five players remain on scholar- ship, are enrolled and are allowed to be a part of the football team's training table as student-athletes. However, they have not partaken in team meetings or practices during the investigation. "It's not something where I feel I've got to pick up the phone if there is a dis- connect with information," Kelly said. "Jack works great with immediately get- ting me information that is needed rela- tive to making decisions for our football team." Kelly also recognized that academics are out of his jurisdiction. "I know that when we go through an academic process like this that in- volves our Honor Code, that's out of my hands," Kelly noted. "I've been through one already with Everett [Golson], so I know the workings of it. It does me no good to put a timetable on it. It does me no good to think about what day. I moved on, and the process will take care of itself. "Our players know fully about the Honor Code. They know the expecta- tions surrounding it, and it really has not been an issue for a moment with our football team other than they care about their teammates." INJURY REPORT • Sophomore wide receiver Corey Robinson underwent surgery on a frac- tured thumb Aug. 22. A pin was inserted into his hand to stabilize the bone, but he practiced with the team the week of the Rice game and was given the green light to play. • Senior Mike linebacker Jarrett Grace was unavailable for the opener while coming back from a major leg injury suf- fered on Oct. 5, 2013, in the win versus Arizona State. At the time, he was the team's leading tackler. His running is still noticeably labored during team practices. Head coach Brian Kelly didn't give any specific dates on when he thinks the 252-pound middle