Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey will not play against Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey will not play Saturday night against Notre Dame, Stanford coach David Shaw confirmed. 

McCaffrey left Stanford’s 44-16 home loss to Washington State last weekend and was described as being banged up by Shaw this week. 

The junior running back only gained 84 yards on 20 carries in Stanford’s blowout losses to Washington and Washington State with six reception for 35 yards. His loss will be felt, too, in Stanford’s kick return game, where McCaffrey has averaged over 21 yards per return in three of Stanford’s five games. McCaffrey last year returned a kick for a touchdown and averaged 28.9 yards per kick return. 

McCaffrey rushed for 2,019 yards and caught 45 passes for 645 yards last year for the Cardinal, though Notre Dame snapped his streak of nine consecutive games with 100 or more rushing yards Nov. 28 (McCaffrey gained 94 yards on 27 carries in that 38-36 Cardinal win). 

Without McCaffrey, Stanford will have to rely on sophomores Bryce Love (21 carries, 108 yards) and Cameron Scarlett (eight carries, 10 yards) against the Irish on Saturday. 

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