No. 7 Notre Dame football is preparing to play the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Fighting Irish made it to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game by thoroughly dominating the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday night in the first round. Indiana had one of the better offenses in the country, but Notre Dame’s defense kept them in check, allowing the Hoosiers to score just 3 points before the fourth quarter.
Defensive lineman Rylie Mills had a big game for the Irish before he suffered an injury on Friday night. Mills recorded a sack and two tackles. Unfortunately for Mills, the senior sustained a knee injury Friday night.
Rylie Mills is out for the season
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mills will not return in the CFP.
“Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has announced that star defensive lineman Rylie Mills is out for the rest of the season,” Thamel posted on X. “He injured his knee against Indiana. Huge blow for the Irish, as he’s an elite defensive lineman and one of the program’s best players.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has announced that star defensive lineman Rylie Mills is out for the rest of the season. He injured his knee against Indiana. Huge blow for the Irish, as he's an elite defensive lineman and one of the program's best players. pic.twitter.com/mpbXH7w144
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 23, 2024
Mills has been one of Notre Dame’s best defenders in 2024. The Lake Bluff, Illinois native recorded 19 tackles and led the team with 7.5 sacks.
Notre Dame football is turning to another senior
Per Tyler Horka of On3 Sports, Gabriel Rubio, who has eight tackles and one sack in 2024, is set to start in place of Mills.
“With Rylie Mills out, senior Gabriel Rubio is set to make the first start of his Notre Dame career in the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia. Rubio’s battled personal issues and injuries this year,” Horka posted on X. Now he’ll be first up in the trenches vs. the Dawgs on New Year’s Day. What an opportunity.”
With Rylie Mills out, senior Gabriel Rubio is set to make the first start of his Notre Dame career in the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia.
Rubio's battled personal issues and injuries this year. Now he'll be first up in the trenches vs. the Dawgs on New Year's Day.
What an opportunity. pic.twitter.com/0pD3UHSZMA
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) December 23, 2024
Notre Dame fans on social media were devastated by the news, as the Irish will be without one of their best players and pass rushers against Georgia.
Notre Dame fans react to report on Mills
“ND’s defense has been able to withstand numerous injuries to starters. Losing Mills just might be the end of the line for the Irish,” wrote a fan.
“This leaves ND, by my count, with 2 of their 9 preseason starting players from the offensive and defensive lines remaining. They’ve done well dealing with it so far, but they’re straining the limits of their depth at this point,” posted another.
“That’s a massive blow but ND has the depth and the guys have been stepping up all season. Don’t even notice Morrison being gone because of our defensive depth. Irish by 10+,” commented a fan.
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