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FORT WAYNE — Notre Dame will open the season without two players.
Quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese were suspended for the season opener, the university announced Tuesday.
Rees, 20, and Calabrese, 21, were arrested at an off-campus party in May. The two won’t travel with Notre Dame when the Irish play Navy in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1.
“Our players understand that it’s a privilege to be associated with the University of Notre Dame and its football program, but with that comes great responsibility,” coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. “Carlo and Tommy put themselves in a situation that when given a choice between two distinct paths, they responded with a set of poor decisions. This conduct was inconsistent with my expectations for our football program – especially our veteran, team leaders.
“Carlo and Tommy will not travel with the team to Ireland and can attempt to climb the depth chart following the conclusion of their respective suspensions.”
Rees was arrested May 3 when he attempted to flee a party and allegedly struck a police officer with his knee. Calabrese was also arrested when he tried to intervene during Rees’ arrest.
On July 23, Rees pleaded guilty to resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, and consumption of alcohol by a minor, a Class C misdemeanor. St. Joseph County prosecutors dropped a second count of resisting law enforcement and a battery count, also Class A misdemeanors, against the 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior.
Rees avoided jail time and has to perform 50 hours of community service. He also received a 30-day suspended jail sentence, was put on 11 months of probation and had to write a letter of apology to the officers involved in his arrest at a house party.
The case against the 6-1, 245-pound Calabrese, who was charged with misdemeanor intimidation, is pending.
Rees is still in a four-way competition for the starting quarterback job after the season opener. He is competing against Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel.
Calabrese shared time at an inside linebacker position with Dan Fox last season.
Kelly is scheduled to hold a news conference Friday before the Irish begin fall camp Saturday.
