Edward Diller/Getty Images

Notre Dame Makes Announcement On Illness Spreading Through Locker Room

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 9, 2025 2:31 PM ET

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play their biggest game of the season on Thursday night, and one could argue that it's the biggest game the program has played since the 2013 BCS national title game.

The Irish are only two wins away from their first national championship since the 1980s, but the team is addressing another issue on Thursday before they take the field.

A flu outbreak has spread around the Irish locker room, but a team official says it should have no impact on the Orange Bowl against Penn State.

“It will have no impact on the game,” the official told CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello.

“[Wide receiver] Beaux Collins was impacted in the Sugar Bowl, but still played and was on the mend during the game.”

Earlier this week, On3's Tyler Horka noted that several Notre Dame players are dealing with flu-like symptoms ahead of the matchup with the Nittany Lions.

“Been told the flu is going around the Notre Dame locker room,” Horka said.

“Those who have it have it bad, but it sounds like that’s mostly backups and special teams players. Still something to monitor for the Fighting Irish going into the Orange Bowl vs. Penn State tonight.”

ESPN's Molly McGrath also downplayed the impact of the flu outbreak, much like Notre Dame's official.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate with the trophy after a 23-10 victory against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 02, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

“People at Notre Dame tell me these rumors are completely untrue,” McGrath said on Thursday while reporting on ESPN's SportsCenter.

McGrath mentioned Collins' issues during the Peach Bowl and running back Jeremiyah Love's flu symptoms during the game against Indiana, but she reiterated that no starters or key players were expected to miss Thursday's game.

"I’m told now that the players and people that are sick are all redshirts, walk-ons and staffers. So no one who’s expected to play tonight are sick," McGrath added.

Notre Dame will look to advance to its first national championship game since that loss to Alabama over a decade ago. We'll see if they can put the adversity behind them and do enough to move on to the national title game tonight against the Nittany Lions.

Fans can tune into the big game on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: