Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME PERSONNEL NOTES Sophomore defensive end Chase Hounshell and sophomore running back Amir Carlisle will sit out the remainder of the 2012 season for medical reasons, head coach Brian Kelly said during the week of prepara- tion for Miami. Hounshell missed all of spring drills while recover- ing from shoulder surgery, and more corrective surgery will be needed. He played in a reserve capacity the sec- ond half of 2011. The 6-4, 275-pound Hounshell will be eligible to apply as a medical redshirt for a fifth season in 2015. Carlisle, the former USC Motta at safety, veterans Dan McCarthy and Chris Salvi apply some reinforcements, and freshman Nicky Baratti and Elijah Shu- mate — the nickel back — also offer options in the secondary. Collinsworth played as a back, broke his ankle shortly after transferring to Notre Dame last winter and was un- available for spring practice. Nerve damage from the injury had prevented him from going full speed consistently until recently in the crowded backfield. Kelly said Carlisle will practice the remainder Sophomore safety Matthias Farley has filled in well at a position that lost junior Austin Collinsworth and start- ing fifth-year senior Jamoris Slaughter to injuries. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA continues to recover from a groin injury suffered after the first game. In his place, sophomore Kyle Brindza con- verted 6 of 7 field goal at- tempts during the 4-0 start, highlighted by the 27-yard game winner with seven sec- onds left against Purdue. • Freshman cornerback Manti Te'o for his work ethic. "It's kind of ridiculous how bad he wants to get tin Collinsworth will be sidelined the remainder of 2012 while recovering from shoulder surgery performed in June. Collinsworth was projected to return possibly by late October, and some out- side speculation held that with fifth-year senior Jamoris Slaughter also sidelined the rest of the year with an Achilles tendon injury, Collinsworth might be needed. However, sophomore Matthias Farley has emerged as a strong complement to senior Zeke of the year on the offensive scout team and then have three years of eligibility remaining from 2013-15. • Kelly also reiterated that junior safety Aus- KeiVarae Russell earned high praise from senior linebacker better," Te'o said of the first Irish freshman ever to start the first four games of a season at corner. "Actually, after the Navy game where he felt that he cost us a touchdown, he texted me and said, 'Bro, I'm going to do whatever it takes to not let our defense down again.' He called [2008-11 Irish cornerback] Robert Blanton and talked to Robert Blanton for hours just to see what he could do to be the best DB he possibly can. "It's not necessarily his athleticism and courage he's displayed to be out there in a Division I col- lege team against guys who are also on scholar- ships and do well, but just his daily approach to the game." For more on the personable Russell, see pages 22-24. freshman and sophomore, but he will be able to apply as a medical redshirt for a fifth season in 2014. • Senior kicker Nick Tausch