It has only been two full weeks of college football, but there are already plenty of depth chart shakeups all across the nation. Here are the notes following week two.
By: Cory Burrell
Notre Dame Starting QB Malik Zaire Season Ends Following Ankle Surgery
Another Heisman-contending quarterback fell to a season-ending injury, this time from Notre Dame. Junior Malik Zaire broke his right ankle in the third quarter of the Fighting Irish’s win over Virginia Saturday and will be out for the remainder of the season. Zaire entered the season with major expectations in the wake of Everett Golson’s transfer to Florida State. He looked poised for a successful year after a 313 yard, three touchdown performance against Texas in the season opener. Zaire underwent successful surgery on his ankle Sunday and should be ready for spring practices. DeShone Kizer will take over as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, who has already shown promise. In less than two quarters against Virginia, Kizer threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a deep go-ahead touchdown with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game.
Rutgers Star WR Leonte Carroo Arrested After Altercation, Suspended from Team Indefinitely
Rutgers senior wide receiver Leonte Carroo was arrested and charged with simple assault after an altercation following Rutger’s game. Sunday Rutgers Head Coach Kyle Flood announced Carroo was suspended from the team indefinitely Sunday “as a result of an incident that happened last night outside our stadium.” Flood said Carroo’s suspension would likely not be lifted before the Scarlet Knights’ game against Penn State, but he would not comment further on the situation or Carroo’s future with the team until an investigation on the incident concludes. Sources told New Jersey Advance Media the incident involved two women, one who is an acquaintance of Carroo, but the full extent of Carroo’s involvement remains unclear. Considered the top receiver prospect in the Big Ten by Optimum Scouting, Carroo cruised to a 1,000 yard season last year. Carroo broke the school record for career receiving touchdowns during this season’s opening game against Norfolk State. The Scarlet Knights have dealt with numerous off-the-field incidents recently, including the dismissal of five players after they were arrested on various charges.
Wisconsin’s Corey Clement Misses Game With Nagging Injury
Wisconsin Junior Corey Clement did not play in the Badgers’ game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday because of a lingering groin injury. Clement’s injury occurred in practice before Wisconsin’s opening game against Alabama. Clement, last season the backup to 2014 Heisman runner-up Melvin Gordon, came up just shy of a 1,000-yard season last year. Clement is expected to be the next star Wisconsin running back, but he has struggled in first weeks of the season, at least in part because of his groin injury. In the Badgers’ season-opening loss to Alabama, Clement ran for 16 yards on eight carries and barely played in the second half. With Clement out, redshirt junior Dare Ogunbowale received the bulk of the carries in Saturday’s game. Ogunbowale, formerly a defensive back, ran for 112 yards, including a long touchdown, as the Badgers easily handled Miami (Ohio) in a 58-0 shutout.
Promising Miami Linebacker Darrion Owens to Miss Remainder of Season
Miami sophomore linebacker Darrion Owens will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Miami head coach Al Golden announced Sunday Owens injured his knee in Friday’s win over Florida Atlantic University. Golden confirmed Owens’ knee will require surgery, but did not comment on the extent of the injury any further. Owens appeared in 12 games as a true freshman last year and recorded 23 tackles.
Separated Shoulder, Hip Infection Likely to End South Carolina’s Connor Mitch Season
South Carolina has likely lost its starting quarterback for the season after an ugly lost to Kentucky. Sophomore Connor Mitch separated his shoulder shortly before the end of the first half while recovering a Gamecocks’ fumble. South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier told reporters Sunday Mitch would miss at least four to six weeks, but also added this type of injury usually takes at least a year to recover from fully. Mitch also aggravated a bruise in his hip suffered in the previous game against North Carolina, and is now dealing with a hip infection in addition to the torn shoulder. Junior Perry Orth, a former walk-on, took over after Mitch left the game and is expected to remain the starter for the rest of the season. Orth threw for 179 yards and one touchdown against an interception in a losingeffort against Kentucky.
Arkansas Top WR Keon Hatcher Out at Least Six Weeks, May Redshirt
Arkansas’ leading receiver may have the remainder of his season in jeopardy. Senior Keon Hatcher suffered a foot injury in the Razorbacks upset loss against Toledo and will miss at least six weeks. Hatcher said he may need longer than six weeks to fully recover from surgery and is considering redshirting this season to save his final year of eligibility for next season. Hatcher, listed as a potential top wide receiver prospect by Optimum Scouting preseason SEC review, leads Arkansas with 198 receiving yards and two touchdowns in two games this season.
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