Notre Dame is undefeated on the football field but struggling with COVID-19 away from it.
The Irish postponed last Saturday’s game at Wake Forest, and on Monday the program reported some grim testing numbers: 25 players are in isolation as a result of 18 positive tests last week. Another 14 players are in quarantine due to contact tracing. Those 39 sidelined players represent about 34% of the 114 players listed on the roster.
Notre Dame, which had a scheduled open date this week and is scheduled to host Florida State on Oct. 10, is not practicing. The team has resumed “conditioning activities … in consultation with the St. Joseph County Department of Health,” the school said in a statement.
Notre Dame has not made any coaches or players available to the media since Sept. 21, when coach Brian Kelly called the team’s COVID-19 plan “an evolving situation.”
Seven Irish players missed Notre Dame’s 52-0 drubbing of South Florida on Sept. 19 because of positive COVID-19 results or contact tracing. Two days later, the Irish canceled practice.
More Top Picks Migraine Glasses How They Actually Work
Kelly said last week that while the ACC mandates three tests a week, Irish players viewed to be at a higher risk — mainly linemen because of the impossibility of social distancing — were being tested every day.
Notre Dame’s issues will fuel those critical of schools for deciding to play college football during the pandemic.