Notre Dame’s C.J. Prosise doubtful, KeiVarae Russell out for Stanford game

Notre Dame’s leading rusher C.J. Prosise is doubtful with a sprained ankle for the biggest game of the season, when the Fighting Irish, ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press top 25, play No. 13 Stanford on Saturday with a College Football Playoff berth on the line.

Cornerback KeiVarae Russell, the team’s second-leading tackler, is out for the game with a broken right leg.

Prosise has a high ankle sprain. The injury occurred when his left foot got caught under Boston College defensive lineman Connor Wujciak as he was being tackled in the second quarter of Saturday’s 19-16 win.

Coach Brian Kelly said Sunday that Prosise, who has rushed for 1,029 yards, is doubtful. He will be replaced by freshman Josh Adams, who has three 100-yard rushing games and has 592 yards rushing, although he was held to 39 yards on 13 carries against the Eagles with a fumble on the three-yard line.

Kelly said another freshman running back, Dexter Williams, is going to need to contribute against Stanford (9-2) and quarterback DeShone Kizer also needs to help with the running game.

“This is a one game all in,” Kelly said. “We’ll do whatever is necessary to provide the kind of running game that is necessary. So it’s all hands on deck in this situation.”

Russell broke a bone in his leg late in the fourth quarter when he hit running back Tyler Rouse hard, knocking the ball loose with 70 seconds left. Kelly said Russell was scheduled to have surgery Sunday evening to have a rod inserted. Kelly said he doesn’t believe Russell will be ready for a bowl game or a first-round playoff game, but said he might be ready to play if the Irish (10-1) make it to the national championship game.

Sooners QB uncertain

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield’s status is uncertain for Saturday’s showdown with Oklahoma State.

Mayfield was injured during Saturday’s 30-29 win over Texas Christian. He was shaken up early in the second quarter by a helmet-to-helmet hit from TCU linebacker Ty Summers, who was ejected for targeting.

The fifth-ranked Sooners (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) can clinch the conference title with a victory over the ninth-ranked Cowboys (10-1, 7-1). Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops said Mayfield will be evaluated by medical staff before any decisions are made.

“That’ll all be up to our doctors and trainers,” Stoops said after the game. “It’s a short time after the game. I sure don’t know anything right now. They’ll be thorough, though, in checking him, and do what they need to do.”

Mayfield rose on Heisman Trophy watch lists after leading the Sooners to victory at Baylor the previous week. He’s completed 69% of his passes, with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also 343 yards rushing and six TDs.

Mayfield played the rest of the first half after the hit from Summers.

“Our trainers and doctors were constantly, with each series, every time Baker was off, checking him, asking him questions, making sure he was OK, and everything was checking out fine,” Stoops said. “And then at halftime, they approached him again to go over some things and Baker admitted to having a headache, and that’s when our doctors said we’re not going to have him play.”

Trevor Knight stepped in and completed just five of 16 passes for 76 yards, with one interception.

Iowa State coach is fired

Paul Rhoads was one of the most popular coaches at Iowa State. He just didn’t win enough to keep his job. Iowa State said that Athletic Director Jamie Pollard told Rhoads on Sunday that he’s out after seven seasons.

Rhoads went 32-54 with the Cyclones. But he won just eight games in his final three seasons as the program slipped back into mediocrity.

Rhoads led Iowa State to just its third bowl win in his first season. But Iowa State is 3-8 this season; blowing a 35-28 lead with 1:31 to go in Saturday’s loss at Kansas State.

Iowa State signed Rhoads to a 10-year, $20-million contract before the 2012 season. Rhoads is due a buyout of roughly $4.5 million under the terms of that deal. Rhoads will coach his final game with Iowa State on Saturday at West Virginia.