Tragedy sidelines Shembo
Prince Shembo won't play against Michigan State after his father suffered an apparent brain aneurysm Friday in a hotel near Notre Dame's campus.
Maurice Shembo was found by another player's parent to be non-responsive and confused sometime Friday afternoon. He was then transferred to a medical facility in Chicago before Notre Dame's pep rally later that evening. At that time it was unclear if Shembo would suit up for the Irish against the Spartans.
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However, Shembo did not warm up with the team in pregame Saturday.
Maurice Shembo's medical condition at kickoff is unclear.
Shembo would be the second Notre Dame player whose father suffered a brain aneurysm in the past year. Former Irish linebacker Andre Jones, father of sophomore receiver TJ Jones, died in June after suffering the brain trauma. Jones played on Notre Dame's 1988 national championship team.
Freshman linebacker Troy Niklas is expected to fill in for Shembo against the Spartans, making his first start. Niklas worked with the starting defense during warm-ups.