Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman expressed optimism on Sunday regarding the availability of preseason All-American defensive tackle Howard Cross III for the upcoming College Football Playoff first-round game against No. 9 Indiana, scheduled for Friday night.
Cross has been sidelined for the last three games of the regular season due to a sprained ankle, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of this critical matchup.
In addition to Cross, Freeman also mentioned the likelihood of having the team’s leading rusher, Jeremiyah Love, back on the field. Love sustained a right knee injury during the regular-season finale against Southern California, but indications suggest he may be ready to return.
The outcome of Saturday’s contest between the seventh and tenth seeds will determine which team moves forward to face No. 2 Georgia in the quarterfinals.
