Junior inside linebacker Jarrett Grace fractured his leg midway through the second quarter Saturday night and will probably miss the rest of the season, Irish coach Brian Kelly said.
Grace entered the game as Notre Dame's leading tackler with 37 tackles. Graduate student inside linebacker Dan Fox saw extended playing time in Grace's absence.
Kelly said Grace stayed overnight Saturday in Dallas for evaluation.
Notre Dame also appears to have lost senior receiver Daniel Smith for the season. Kelly said Smith fractured his ankle and was likely out for the rest of the season.
Brindza clutch
Junior kicker Kyle Brindza, after a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, is now 11-for-11 on kicks in the final period.
Brindza also converted from 53 and 33 yards out but missed a 38-yarder in the first quarter. Brindza's 53-yard field goal on Notre Dame's first drive of the second half to extend the Irish lead to 17-13 was a career-high. It was also the longest at AT&T Stadium and tied for the longest in Notre Dame's history.
Contact Matthew DeFranks at mdefrank@nd.edu
