Jordan Botelho ejected for targeting in 4th quarter vs. Duke

Notre Dame linebacker Jordan Botelho was ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter against Duke for a hit on Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard. And the decision to eject Botelho after the hit in question is already getting questioned.

Leonard took a quarterback keeper up the right hash as Duke was driving in the fourth quarter against the Irish. As Leonard was getting taken down by another tackle, Botelho came in and delivered a hit to Leonard’s hip and side area.

Officials deemed that because he made forcible contact with the crown of his helmet, Botelho had committed targeting. The penalty was upheld after review and he was ejected.

Because the penalty happened in the second half, Botelho will miss the first half of Notre Dame’s next game, at Louisville on Oct. 7.

The Botelho penalty was costly, too, setting Duke up inside the Notre Dame 10 yards line with the Irish holding on to a 13-7 lead.

A handful of plays later, Duke took a 14-13 lead.

Notre Dame went on to win as Leonard was injured late

Leonard was helped off the field and was putting little to no weight on his right leg after injuring it on the Blue Devils’ final offensive play of the night. Leonard injured his lower right leg in a scrum after being hit and fumbling as Duke tried to come back and tie the Irish with less than a minute left.

Leonard stayed down for a period, appearing to be in significant pain. He was helped off by multiple trainers and taken to the sideline after Notre Dame recovered a fumble to seal a 21-14 win.

Leonard stayed in the injury tent on the sideline for a while after the game, exiting on crutches and not bearing weight on his right leg. He was greeted by Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman before heading to the locker room.

ESPN’s Andrea Adelson reported that Leonard turned down a cart to ride to the locker room.

“That kid’s a hell of a player, I really want to go check in on him,” Hartman said postgame to ABC’s Holly Rowe before going to the tent.

Leonard is just the latest injury for Duke

Duke was without on of its best offensive players on Saturday night when the Blue Devils hosted Notre Dame. His absence was reported shortly before kickoff.

Barton, outside of perhaps Leonard, is Duke’s best offensive player. His absence was at times pronounced, especially against a Notre Dame defense that can rush the passer and stuff up the run at a high level.

Barton was a first team All-ACC selection in 2022 and earned several preseason All-American nods coming into 2023. He has 34 career starts and has appeared in 35.