Alex Bars is done for the year. The sophomore offensive lineman, who made his second start of the season on Saturday, fractured his ankle in the second quarter, the seventh season-ending injury suffered by an Irish player. Bars had surgery this afternoon, performed by team surgeon Brian Ratigan, Brian Kelly announced during his Sunday teleconference.
Fellow sophomore Quenton Nelson replaced Bars. Nelson had started every game this season until he injured his own ankle against Clemson. Nelson was a game-time decision according to Kelly heading into the weekend, but a week off—along with the emergence of Bars—made it preferential to keep Bars off the field for two more weeks.