Nov. 19--Max Redfield wasn't hurt and he wasn't suspended. But on Saturday against Northwestern, Redfield wasn't manning his usual starting safety spot. Instead, freshman Drue Tranquill was in his place.
And while Redfield eventually would work into a rotation with the other safeties, it still was jarring to see the former five-star recruit, a sophomore who seemed to have a lock on his position, not out there with the first team.
"He has a great trait; it's his athleticism," coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday. "But he has to really start to translate it on the field. And that means football knowledge, understanding the game, really taking what he learns in the classroom and applying it to the field."
Kelly said Sunday that football instincts come a little easier to Tranquill and after evaluating Redfield's effort over the last few weeks, the Irish decided to make the move. Kelly also said the position would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis so Redfield could start Saturday against Louisville.
"He knows there are things he has to get better at ... and when to trigger and all those things," Kelly said.
Kelly mentioned Redfield had a talk Monday with defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to address some of the things Redfield could be doing better to regain his starting spot.
"We can't say he's not our guy. He is our guy," Kelly said. "We have to get him to the level where the game becomes easier for him. That's what we're working toward."
Injury update: Notre Dame will be down two more defensive players on an already-depleted depth chart when it faces Louisville.
Junior Sheldon Day, the anchor of the Irish's defensive line, and freshman defensive lineman Daniel Cage will be out with knee injuries, Kelly said.
Day has a sprained MCL, Kelly said, and there was no timetable for his return although it is possible Day will be back at least in time for Notre Dame's bowl game. Cage, who has a sprained knee, should return for the season finale against USC next week, Kelly said.
Day and Cage's injuries will cause a shake-up on the defensive line with senior Justin Utupo likely seeing playing time while sophomore defensive end Isaac Rochell could move inside.
Kelly added cornerback Cody Riggs, who has been dealing with a stress reaction in one of his feet, likely will see limited playing time against Louisville as he did against the Wildcats.
Quarterback Everett Golson, who suffered a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder against Northwestern, has full range of motion in the shoulder and should practice fully this week before facing the Cardinals.
Extra points: Notre Dame fell out of the latest College Football Playoff rankings after being ranked No. 18 last week. ... Kelly on how previous turnovers and miscues Saturday led to his decision to attempt a two-point conversion up 11 in the fourth quarter: "It affected me. I went for two when I should have kicked the extra point, right? It affects everybody. I can't fall into that. I'm not getting paid to make stupid decisions like that." Graduate assistant and former Irish safety Kyle McCarthy said in a statement on Twitter that he is now free of testicular cancer. McCarthy had remained with the team as much as possible as he underwent chemotherapy. Former Irish defensive back and receiver Pat Eilers also assisted the Irish coaching staff as McCarthy received treatment.
chine@tribpub.com
Twitter @ChristopherHine
