Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to play in the upcoming Orange Bowl against 6-seed Penn State on Thursday, according to head coach Marcus Freeman. Love participated in practice this week despite dealing with a knee injury aggravated during the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal victory over 2-seed Georgia on January 2. Freeman expressed confidence in Love’s readiness but emphasized the importance of managing his workload during practices, acknowledging that few players are fully healthy at this point in the season. “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.
The injury limited Love to just six carries in Notre Dame’s 23-10 win over Georgia, resulting in 19 rushing yards. The team relied heavily on quarterback Riley Leonard and sophomore running back Jadarian Price to carry the offensive load in Love’s reduced role.
Love has been a critical player for Notre Dame this season, leading the team with 148 carries for 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Additionally, he has contributed as a receiver, recording 25 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns, ranking fifth on the team in catches.
The knee issue initially surfaced on November 30 during Notre Dame’s 49-35 victory over USC in the regular-season finale. Love was subsequently limited in practice leading up to the first-round playoff matchup against Indiana. Despite the injury, he delivered a standout performance against the Hoosiers, amassing 108 rushing yards on eight carries, including a spectacular 98-yard touchdown run that set the tone early in the game, helping Notre Dame secure a 27-17 victory.
While Love remains the primary running back for the Fighting Irish, Jadarian Price has proven himself as a reliable option throughout the 2024 season. Price accumulated 720 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and stepped up in Love’s absence during the USC game, recording a career-best 111 rushing yards. Price’s versatility has been an asset, complementing Notre Dame’s dynamic offense as they prepare for the Orange Bowl.