Notre Dame lineman Trevor Ruhland ignores medical advice, keeps playing football

SOUTH BEND – Asked how he was going to feel on the day after playing 87 offensive snaps, Trevor Ruhland smiled.

“I’m going to feel terrible,” Notre Dame’s graduate offensive lineman said after Saturday’s 21-20 win over Virginia Tech. “But that’s why we have the best medical staff. I’ll get in there, I’ll get fixed up and then we’re on to Duke.”

No one would have blamed Ruhland if he’d gotten on with his life after all the body breakdowns he’d experienced during his time on campus. The list includes three surgeries on his left knee; fractures to his ankle, elbow and nose; torn pectorals on both sides of his chest and a torn labrum in his shoulder.

He was held out during spring practice and there was serious consideration given to having him sit out 2019 or move on altogether. Team doctors told him he had the “knee of an 80-year-old,” but Ruhland opted to return.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play,” said the product of Cary, Ill., in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. “I’m beat up. I won’t lie to you. I’ve been told not to play, that I shouldn’t play. But I couldn’t give up. I came back for moments like this.”

When midseason All-American Tommy Kraemer (sprained knee) went down in the first half at Michigan, Ruhland stepped in at right guard and went the rest of the way.

Ruhland, once slated to be Sam Mustipher’s replacement at center, had been sharing reserve duties with redshirt sophomore Josh Lugg, now playing right tackle.

“I’ve been knocked around a little bit, but how could you miss something like this?” Ruhland said after his sixth career start. “If I was on the sidelines watching that (comeback), obviously I’d be excited for everybody, but it would make me sick. I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said he’d like to keep Ruhland on a “pitch count” the rest of the way, opening the door for John Dirksen or Dillan Gibbons to play certain series. But the story of perseverance is notable already.

“Trevor Ruhland could have easily taken a pass on this and said, ‘I’m out,’" Kelly said. “But he loves his teammates, he loves playing for Notre Dame. We thought he was going to be a medical redshirt, quite frankly. We thought that there was no way. But he wanted to play in his senior year. It was important to him.”

SURGERY FOR HAINSEY

Right tackle and team captain Robert Hainsey will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday to repair a fractured left ankle.

Hainsey suffered the injury on the fourth offensive snap Saturday, meaning Notre Dame has lost a combined 51 career starts (29 for Kraemer, 22 for Hainsey) on the right side of its offensive line the past two weeks.

Leading rusher Tony Jones Jr. (upper body injury) should be a “full go” in practice this week, Kelly said, after being held out for the past six quarters. Jones was “close” to being able to help against the Hokies, but the decision was made to give him more time after he reeled off three straight 100-yard rushing games earlier this season.

Linebacker Jack Lamb, a key part of the nickel package, will see a specialist after suffering a hip injury on the punt return team on Saturday. The injury isn’t expected to require surgery.

Freshman defensive tackle Jacob Lacey was “banged up,” Kelly said, enabling Jamion Franklin to get more second-team snaps.

SNAP TO IT

Saturday’s game might have required overtime if not for some quick work by freshman punter/holder Jay Bramblett on the final point-after attempt.

Long snapper John Shannon, in his 34th straight game in the thankless role, skidded the snap after the game-tying touchdown with 29 seconds left. Luckily Bramblett got the placement right and kicker Jonathan Doerer connected for the winning point.

Kelly said he couldn’t remember another misfire by Shannon during his tenure.

“That’s the only one I can remember really that stood out,” he said. “Jay and John have been together all year. They’ve had some snaps that they’ve had to adjust to. It’s good that Jay was there for him. John’s been great for us and he deserves a little help once in a while.”

STREAK ENDS LOUDLY

One of the more unfathomable football streaks in recent memory ended late in Saturday’s first half.

Sent up the middle on third-and-goal from the 1, Jafar Armstrong fumbled and free safety Divine Deablo snatched the ball out of the air for a 98-yard touchdown return. Instead of taking a two-touchdown lead into the locker room, Notre Dame found itself tied at 14 with a 17 ½-point underdog.

That play also ended Notre Dame’s nation-leading streak at 1,273 carries without a lost fumble by a running back. The 47-game streak dated to Nov. 21, 2015 against Boston College at Fenway Park with a lost fumble by Josh Adams. 

“That was a long streak,” Kelly said. “We still have to hold onto the football there, even though we have to execute better in blocking the middle linebacker. Certainly, they’ll be well aware of ball security again this week.”

First-year running backs coach Lance Taylor spoke in August of the “incredible streak,” saying it had been a constant point of emphasis among his position group. In his profession, Taylor added, “ball security is job security.”

Follow Notre Dame Insider Mike Berardino on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MikeBerardino. His email is mberardino@gannett.com.