Notre Dame Suspends Cierre Wood, Justin Utupo 2 Games

“Our players are aware of the standards I set for our program and that failure to meet my expectations will result in consequences,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said, according to The Observer, Notre Dame’s student newspaper. “Justin and Cierre violated our team rules so I’ve suspended them for the first two games of the season.”

Utupo’s absence won’t be nearly as painful given his status as a special teams player for the most part, but these are just the latest suspensions handed out by Kelly this offseason.

It’s unclear why he’s being suspended, and Notre Dame is being quiet.

A senior, Wood was recruited to South Bend by Charlie Weis and is one of the few remaining holdovers recruited by that staff. The Irish seem to be prepared for the suspension as they have done their best at working Riddick and Atkinson into the mix during the preseason. Wood took some snaps with the first team offense but has shared that role with the others throughout practice.