Kory Minor, a senior outside linebacker and one of three Notre Dame captains, sprained his left ankle at practice Thursday.
Bob Davie, the coach of the Fighting Irish, said the injury was not considered serious and might not require X-rays. But with Minor and two other defensive players held out of a scrimmage, Davie was not pleased with the results.
The coach said he understood that the absence of three defensive players because of injuries, and the limited involvement of two others, became a factor. “But I also realize that what we did tonight isn’t good enough to beat Michigan and to beat Michigan State in our first two games,” Davie said.
“We didn’t stop the run as well as we would have liked. I don’t know if it’s because we’ve got some players out or because we can run the ball on offense. The bottom line is we didn’t stop the run nearly as consistently as we are going to have to.”
Brad Williams, a junior defensive end, did not play because of a strained muscle. Lance Legree, a junior nose guard, has a pulled hamstring.
“I don’t have any doubt that we want to be a good team,” Davie said. “But I’m a little bit disappointed in the results.”