Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard's Brief Departure From The Orange Bowl In Second Quarter Raises Questions
Introduction
Notre Dame took on South Carolina in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday night. The game was close throughout, but the Fighting Irish ultimately pulled away for a 45-38 victory. One of the biggest storylines of the game was the brief departure of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard in the second quarter.
Leonard's Departure
Leonard left the game late in the second quarter after taking a hit from South Carolina defensive end Jordan Burch. Leonard was slow to get up after the hit and was eventually helped off the field by trainers. He did not return to the game.
After the game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said that Leonard was being evaluated for a concussion. Freeman did not provide any further update on Leonard's condition.
Implications of Leonard's Departure
Leonard's departure was a big blow to Notre Dame's offense. Leonard had been playing well in the first half, completing 10 of 15 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. His departure forced Notre Dame to turn to backup quarterback Drew Pyne.
Pyne did a good job of managing the game in Leonard's absence, but he was not able to provide the same level of production. Pyne completed just 5 of 11 passes for 41 yards and an interception. He also took a sack that resulted in a safety.
Notre Dame's offense struggled to move the ball in the second half without Leonard. The Fighting Irish were held to just 10 points in the final two quarters of the game.
Perspectives on Leonard's Departure
There are a number of different perspectives on Leonard's departure. Some believe that it was the right decision to pull him from the game due to the potential for a concussion. Others believe that Notre Dame should have kept Leonard in the game, even if he was showing signs of a concussion.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is ultimately up to the coaching staff to make the decision that they believe is in the best interests of the player and the team.
Conclusion
Riley Leonard's brief departure from the Orange Bowl in the second quarter raised a number of questions. It is unclear at this time what the long-term implications of Leonard's injury will be, but it is clear that his absence had a significant impact on Notre Dame's offense.
Only time will tell how Leonard's injury will affect Notre Dame's season moving forward. However, one thing is for sure: the Fighting Irish will need to find a way to replace his production if they want to be successful in 2023.
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