Notre Dame Football: RB Deon McIntosh Suspended For Citrus Bowl
By Andrew Hall
After already suspending three players for the Citrus Bowl, Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly suspended another. This time, Kelly sent home fourth-team Running Back Deon McIntosh. This leaves the Irish with three scholarship Running Backs.
Notre Dame will play without Wide Receiver Kevin Stepherson, Running Back CJ Holmes and Tight End Alize Mack in the Citrus Bowl. The loss of Stepherson hurts the Irish significantly. Stepherson represented the biggest downfield threat for the Irish. Now, Equanimeous St. Brown must step up against a great LSU secondary.
McIntosh played a significant role in the season. Prior to the beginning of the year, no one expected him to play much at all. However, against Boston College, he showed that he is a serviceable player. With injuries to Adams, Jones, and Williams, McIntosh began to play an important role against Michigan State.
Against the Spartans, McIntosh carried the ball 12 times for 35 yards and a touchdown. He played his best game in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. McIntosh ran for 124 yards on 12 rushes. On the season, he rushed for 368 yards on 65 attempts. McIntosh scored 5 touchdowns.
Big Impact?
Despite playing well this season, the Irish coaches most likely did not plan to feature McIntosh significantly. As stated, the majority of McIntosh’s carries occurred in “garbage time.” Adams, Jones, and Williams probably commanded all the carries in the game. Strategically, this suspension means nothing for the Fighting Irish.
However, the suspensions might say more about the psyche of the team. During the season, Kelly preached focus to his team. Discussion of different traits dominated the talking points of the Irish players. With suspensions of Stepherson, Holmes, Mack, and McIntosh are the Irish losing focus down the stretch?
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Prior to the 2014 Music City Bowl, Notre Dame suspended no one. Prior to the 2015 Fiesta Bowl, the Irish sent home Max Redfield. Although there are many factors in winning or losing, this lack of concentration is a possible indicator of how the Irish will play.