Notre Dame's Kelly says suspensions solely his call

Brian Kelly has suspended four players for Notre Dame's season opener against Navy in Dublin.

AP

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says it was his call all the way when he suspended starting tailback Cierre Wood and backup defensive end Justin Utupo for two games after they violated team rules.

Both will miss Saturday's opener in Dublin, Ireland, against Navy and the following week against Purdue.

Kelly didn't give a timetable for when he made the decision. He said he implemented the discipline in hopes that both Wood and Utupo would learn from their mistakes and be better for it.

Earlier, Kelly suspended quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese for the first game after their confrontation with police following a party in May.

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