Irish's Alex Bars seen with crutches and boot in second half vs. USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --Notre Dame left guard Alex Bars left Saturday's 41-31 win overUSC in the second quarter with a left ankle injury and did not return.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly specified the ankle as the injured area of Bars' leg but had no immediate update on his status when he spoke to the media after the game.

Bars, a redshirt freshman, was on the sideline using crutches and his left foot in a boot during the third quarter, according to NBC sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.

Quenton Nelson replaced Bars after the injury. Bars had made his second straight start in place of Nelson, who had suffered an ankle injury in an Oct. 3 loss at Clemson.