No. 11 Notre Dame is refusing to change its game plan for the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes, even though their top playmaker is out. Head coach Marcus Freeman told the media on Thursday that his team will prepare for the injured star as if he is ready to run onto the field.
Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain during practice on Wednesday. The injury required a tightrope surgery on Thursday, which usually means a player needs four to six weeks to heal. Toney is unlikely to play Saturday but could potentially return for the College Football Playoffs.
Freeman’s Dual-Plan Strategy
Coach Freeman explained his reasoning during a Zoom call with reporters. “I heard about [Toney’s injury] after practice,” he said. The coach knows that assuming the worst could leave his defense vulnerable if Toney finds a way to play.
This dual approach is rare. Most teams would scale back their game plan once they see a star go down for surgery. Notre Dame regards the injury as uncertain.
The Cost of Losing Toney
Even if Toney sits out, his absence changes the game for Miami. He is the go-to offensive playmaker for the Hurricanes. Toney has 1,157 all-purpose yards this season. He caught 73 passes on 85 targets and scored 13 touchdowns. His ability to stop on a dime and create separation makes him a threat to any defense in college football. Losing a player with these stats is a massive hit for head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
The Hurricanes stated that Toney suffered the injury in Wednesday’s practice. He appeared fine during a full media session on Tuesday. Further testing showed the injury was worse than hoped, leading to the surgery. No official injury report from the ACC will be issued for this non-conference game. Notre Dame is an independent program, so they rely on their own scouting and reports from Miami.
Leonard Moore Steps Up
With Toney possibly out, All-American cornerback Leonard Moore is the key for Notre Dame. A concussion has kept the 21-year-old out of two of the last four games. He suffered that injury against UNC on Oct. 3. Moore returns Saturday against the Hurricanes and is not listed on Notre Dame’s injury report. He feels the pressure to be ready for the big matchup.
Moore spoke about his recovery process. “Nobody across the country is 100% at this point, so I feel like everybody dealing with something. I’m never gonna be 100% probably past week five, week six. But come game day, i’m gonna be as close to 100% as i can be.” If Toney plays, Moore will face him one-on-one. If Toney sits, Moore will help cover the other receivers.
