The Notre Dame football team is already down a couple of starting offensive linemen in Charles Jagusah and Ashton Craig, and might have just lost one of their starting guards in Billy Schrauth.
Schrauth and the rest of the Fighting Irish offensive line were playing quite well to start the game against a USC defense that shut down the Michigan Wolverines a week ago. However, as Marcus Freeman's squad drove down the field and got inside the five-yard line, Schrauth went down with an apparent knee injury.
Notre Dame loses offensive lineman Billy Schrauth to injury
While the guard was able to get up and jog off the field on his own power, that's not a guarantee that he's just fine. Craig, who was injured in the game against North Carolina State, did the same. Notre Dame later announced the center will miss the rest of the season.
The offensive lineman's injury was just the start of a disastrous drive that first seemed like it would give the Fighting Irish a 21-10 lead. After ND couldn't punch it into the end zone on two running plays, they went with a passing play on 3rd down.
Quarterback CJ Carr tried to make something out of nothing, running backwards for 20 yards before throwing it up for grabs and having it intercepted.
Notre Dame is now trying to bow up and stop USC from reaching the end zone. For now, there's no official word on Billy Schrauth and whether he'll be back when the Fighting Irish offense next takes the field.
UPDATE: Billy Schrauth was back in the game for Notre Dame on the following offensive possession.