Clearly, a season-ending injury to your top running back in Game 1 is not an ideal situation for Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly.
When the spring season ended in April after the Blue-Gold Game, the Irish coaches had to feel great about their prospects within this critical position group.
Led by juniors Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston, Notre Dame featured an explosive and experienced one-two punch at tailback.
Add to the mix speedy and sizable senior C.J. Prosise — who made a seamless transition from wide receiver to running back in the spring — and two fine freshmen in Josh Adams and Dexter Williams, and running back appeared to be one of the strengths of the team.