Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Neither Jones nor Smythe would lose a fifth year of eligibility because both were redshirted as freshmen. Senior running back C.J. Prosise was on a torrid pace during his first season at the position before being plagued by a number of injuries in November. He recovered from a con‑ cussion and a shoulder injury suf‑ fered Nov. 7 versus Pittsburgh to re‑ turn for the win over Boston College Nov. 21. That evening, however, he had to leave with a high‑ankle sprain that prevented him from competing in the 38‑36 loss at Stanford Nov. 28. Prosise was not fully cleared at the start of bowl practices, but he was out of the cast and "moving around," per Kelly. "We'll have to see how he contin‑ ues to progress," Kelly said. "We ex‑ pect him to be ready, but it'll be a process of moving him and getting him to the level that we need." Kelly also expected junior line‑ backer James Onwualu to return for the bowl game after missing the final two games with a MCL sprain. The prognosis, however, was not as bright for senior cornerback Kei‑ Varae Russell. Kelly admitted he does not expect the Everett, Wash., native to suit up in what could be the final game with him on the ros‑ ter while battling back from a frac‑ tured tibia suffered in the win over Boston College Nov. 21. — Andrew Owens Junior tight end Durham Smythe, who has not played since Sept. 12 at Virginia due to knee and shoul- der injuries, was cleared for practice in early December and is expected to play versus Ohio State Jan. 1. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND