Notre Dame’s Tarean Folston is out for the season because of ACL tear

No. 11 Notre Dame’s big victory over Texas came with a big loss.

Running back Tarean Folston, who led the Irish in rushing last season, is out for the season after tearing a right knee ligament in Saturday night’s 38-3 win over Texas.

Coach Brian Kelly said Folston tore the anterior cruciate ligament on his third carry of the game. The injury to the 5-foot-9, 214-pound junior leaves the Irish without an experienced running back.

Folston ran for 889 yards in 175 carries a year ago, and was expected to take on a heavier load this season.

Greg Bryant, the second-leading rusher from 2014, left school after being ruled academically ineligible. That leaves former wide receiver C.J. Prosise and freshman Josh Adams as the top running backs.

The 6-0, 220-pound Prosise ran for 98 yards in 20 carries against Texas while Adams had five carries for 49 yards, including touchdown runs of 14 and 25 yards.

Kelly said Folston’s injury means the Irish will accelerate the development of Dexter Williams, another freshman who had seven carries for 24 yards late in the game. Kelly added that senior Josh Anderson, a former walk-on awarded a scholarship before the season, could see action.

Marshall defeats Purdue in opener

Tiquan Lang returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Michael Birdsong threw two scoring passes in his Marshall debut as the Thundering Herd beat Purdue, 41-31, on Sunday.

Marshall, the 2014 Conference USA champion, finally beat a team from a major conference at home after going 0-5 since 2005. But the Thundering Herd needed some late help.

After Devon Johnson put Marshall ahead, 34-31, with a six-yard scoring run with 2:50 remaining, Purdue had plenty of time left. But Lang intercepted Austin Appleby in the middle of the field and returned it 55 yards for a score with 1:20 left.

Lang was a nice bookend for Marshall. He also returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

It marked the first time in school history that a Marshall player returned two interceptions for scores.

Etc.

Clemson receiver Mike Williams has a fracture in his neck that Tigers Coach Dabo Swinney said might keep him out all season. Swinney said Sunday that an MRI exam showed a small fracture after Clemson’s 1,000-yard receiver slammed into the padded goal post support in the first quarter Saturday against Wofford. … University of Florida police say electronics, computers and other items were stolen from a New Mexico State team personnel bus during Saturday’s game. … South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier says reserve offensive lineman Cody Waldrop broke a bone in his right ankle and may be back late in the season.