During a joint press conference that featured Penn State coach James Franklin and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, the latter gave an update on his best offensive player.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (1,076 yards, 16 TD, 7.3 YPC), has been dealing with an apparent knee injury.
But Freeman said he expects Love to be ready to go for the Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal Thursday night.
Assuming Love can play, the question will then become how close he’d be to 100%. When Love is at or close to 100%, he’s one of the better backs in college football. In any case, Penn State needs to be ready.
WHAT FREEMAN SAID
SOUTH BEND, IN – DECEMBER 20: Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs past Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) during the CFP first round game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 20, 2024 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire)
“He’s had a good week of practice. We have to be smart about how much we’re asking him to do in practice. No one is 100-percent right now. He’ll be good to go,” Freeman said.
Freeman brought up a valid point: With Notre Dame being on Game No. 15 and Penn State being on Game 16, nobody is truly 100% and playing through pain is required. With that said, Love’s effectiveness is still worth monitoring.
NOTRE DAME CAN STILL RUN IT WITHOUT LOVE
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 02: Running Back Jadarian Price #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes the ball as Defensive Back Daniel Harris #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends during the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Georgia Bulldogs College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
Penn State should still be worried about ND’s running game even if Love proves ineffective due to injury. The good news for Notre Dame is that, if Love is as limited as he appears to be, it has a solid option to carry the load. Jadarian Price (720 yards, seven touchdowns, 6.5 YPC) is no slouch, nor is QB Riley Leonard (831 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.6 YPC). Regardless of whether Love is active, out or limited, Notre Dame has other options to hurt Penn State on the ground.
No. 6 Penn State takes on No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 on ESPN.
