Notre Dame WR Hunter deals with concussion symptoms

ByMatt Fortuna ESPN logo

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Notre Dame wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. could be a game-time decision for Saturday's home opener against Nevada as he recovers from what the school says are concussion-like symptoms following a big hit in Sunday's opener at Texas.

"Concussion symptoms come and go, there's no real timeline," coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday. "When you start to expect somebody to clear it's just so individual and you just let it take its course, and we'll prepare accordingly."

A son of the former MLB outfielder, Hunter, a redshirt junior captain, entered 2016 as the Irish's only proven option in the receiving game, having caught 35 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns. He was second on the Irish in catches against the Longhorns despite missing the fourth quarter and overtime, having caught four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Without Hunter, Notre Dame completed just 3 of 7 passes for 48 yards over the course of the fourth quarter and two overtimes. Just one receiver caught passes -- sophomore C.J. Sanders with two catches. Running back Josh Adams had the other reception.

With 30 seconds left in the third quarter Sunday, Hunter was drilled close to the head by Longhorns defensive back DeShon Elliott in the end zone as he tried to corral what would have been a 19-yard touchdown pass. The hit jarred the ball loose, and Hunter was tended to on the ground for several minutes after the play.

While there was no whistle on the field from ACC officials and no official replay/review from the Big 12 crew, despite new NCAA rules this season that allow replay officials to retroactively issue targeting penalties, Big 12 coordinator of officials Walt Anderson told the Austin American-Statesman that the conference did review the play on its own and deemed no action necessary.

Notre Dame had a potential game-tying 36-yard field goal blocked on the next play.

Kelly also said Tuesday that he has not yet made a decision on his quarterbacks moving forward. DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire both saw extensive action Sunday.