This season, the Notre Dame football team has faced the challenge of securing victories without key players on the field. For their upcoming game against Georgia Tech, the Irish will be missing cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and he isn’t the only defensive player sidelined.
Head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed that defensive lineman Jason Onye will also be unavailable for Saturday’s game, marking his second consecutive absence due to a personal matter. Freeman has not disclosed any specifics regarding this issue. This loss is particularly significant as the Irish are already without Boubacar Troure.
Onye’s absence is notable; despite limited playing time, he has recorded 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. His performance had begun to improve, particularly during Notre Dame’s dominant win over Purdue, where he achieved 4 total pressures and his season sacks. He also added pressures against Miami and Louisville, setting a season-high with 24 snaps.
Fortunately, Notre Dame welcomed back defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio last week, who made an immediate impact upon his return. His performance has given coaches optimism that he can help fill the gap left by Onye. As the Irish prepare for the game against Georgia Tech, the focus will be on how they can adapt to these personnel challenges while aiming for a successful outcome.
