Atkinson, Brown suspended for Pinstripe Bowl

NEW YORK -- Notre Dame junior running back George Atkinson III has been suspended by Irish head football coach Brian Kelly for Saturday’s New Era Pinstripe matchup with Rutgers at Yankee Stadium.

Atkinson, ND’s second-leading rusher (555 yards, 93 carries, 3 TDs) had seen his playing time erode in recent weeks with the ascent of freshman Tarean Folston and junior Cam McDaniel. He is also ND's primary return man on kickoffs.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly also announced junior Jalen Brown, a seldom-used backup cornerback, also was suspended “for a violation of team rules.”

Atkinson actually broke his news himself on his Twitter account Saturday morning: “For those of you who are wondering I was suspended from today’s game for texting friends and family during team meal, as I did all season.”

He later deleted the tweet.