Rylie Mills injury update: Huge blow for Marcus Freeman before Sugar Bowl matchup against Georgia
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were handed a massive blow as Rylie Mills is out for the season with a knee injury, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman announced. The defensive tackle left the CFP first-round game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter and did not return.
The graduate senior was a disruptive force for the Irish during the season. He led the team with 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss and had started all 13 games in 2024.
After the injury against Indiana, Gabriel Rubio took Rylie Mills’ spot in the middle of the defense. Rubio finished the year with 14 tackles, 2.5 of them behind the line of scrimmage, and one sack. He figures to be the starter in the Sugar Bowl, where Notre Dame will face Georgia.
Rylie Mills might not be the only absence for the CFP Semifinal. Guard Rocco Spindler is questionable for the game after suffering an injury in the first half against the Hoosiers. Sophomore Sam Pendleton played in his stead.
Spindler, a redshirt senior, started 20 games for the Irish in the last couple of years and helped the team rank second in rushing offense with 222.4 yards per game.
How could Rylie Mills’ absence affect Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl
While the Fighting Irish have looked impressive this season, other than the early season loss to Northern Illinois, Georgia should be their toughest test yet. The Bulldogs have an 11-2 record and won the SEC after defeating Texas in the conference title game.
The win also meant Kirby Smart’s team would make it directly into the Quarterfinals and play in the Sugar Bowl. This also gave the Bulldogs extra time to prepare.
Rylie Mills’ injury is a blow for the Irish. He isn’t only a solid run-stopper but can also pressure the quarterback, pushing the middle of the line.
However, the Bulldogs struggled to run the ball during the season. They ranked 96th in the nation with 126.3 rushing yards per game.
Another situation that could help mitigate the blow is that quarterback Carson Beck’s availability is still in doubt. Beck exited at halftime of the SEC Championship Game versus Texas.
On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Beck is likely to miss the game. That would mean Gunner Stockton would get the start. Stockton went 12-for-16 for 71 yards and an interception against the Longhorns.
Still, the Bulldogs averaged 39.6 points per game during the year, and their defense has been dominant at times.
Notre Dame and Georgia will play in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, with the winner advancing to the national semifinal against Penn State or Boise State.