Notre Dame RB Deon McIntosh sent home from Citrus Bowl for violation of team rules

ORLANDO, Fla. — Make it two scholarship Notre Dame running backs (so far) who won't appear in Monday's Citrus Bowl.

Deon McIntosh — a 5-foot-11, 193-pound sophomore from Pompano Beach, Fla. — was sent home on Saturday for a violation of team rules, a Notre Dame spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.

Last week, three other Irish players — wide receiver Kevin Stepherson, tight end Alizé Mack and running back C.J. Holmes — were suspended for the bowl game against No. 16 LSU (9-3).

In eight games this season, McIntosh rushed 65 times for 368 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Holmes — a 6-foot, 208-pound freshman — added eight carries for 32 yards.

Despite the losses of McIntosh and Holmes, the program's top three running backs — juniors Josh Adams and Dexter Williams and sophomore Tony Jones Jr. — remain available for No. 14 Notre Dame (9-3). That trio combined for 1,942 rushing yards, 7.2 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns this season.

LSU, meanwhile, ranks 21st in rushing defense this season, allowing an average of just 126.4 rushing yards per game.