COLLEGE FOOTBALL UPDATE : Notre Dame’s Zorich May Sit Out the Season

Notre Dame nose tackle Chris Zorich injured his right knee against Pittsburgh and could miss the rest of the season, an Irish official said today.

“That may sound drastic, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities,” sports information director John Heisler said.

Zorich, a 1989 All-American, suffered a partial dislocation of the right knee cap Saturday during the third quarter of No. 2 Notre Dame’s 31-22 victory at Pittsburgh. The kneecap slipped back into place but left the knee sore and swollen, Heisler said.

“It’s something that’s going to go away, it’s just a question of how long it’s going to take,” he said.

Zorich is undergoing daily ice treatments to relieve the swelling. He will not practice this week or travel with the team for Saturday’s game against Navy.

Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz said on his weekly syndicated television show that Zorich might have to sit out the remaining three games as well, including a Nov. 10 road game against No. 11 Tennessee.

Trainers nevertheless hope that Zorich might be able to play against Tennessee, Heisler said.

“I’m not sure we’ll know much more for the next couple of days,” he said.

Zorich, a senior, anchors a Notre Dame defensive line that has been shaky at times this season but held up well enough for the Irish to have a 6-1 record.