Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire out for season with broken ankle

The Sports Xchange

9 years ago

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) is examined by team trainers after injuring his right ankle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Fighting Irish won 34-27. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) is helped off the field by team trainers after injuring his right ankle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Fighting Irish won 34-27. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) throws the ball during warm-ups prior to Fighting Irish‘ game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) throws the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Trent Corney (43) defends in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers safety Kelvin Rainey (38) and Cavaliers safety Quin Blanding (3) chase in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) is carted off the field after injuring his right ankle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) is examined by team trainers after injuring his right ankle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Fighting Irish won 34-27. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Maurice Canady (26) chases in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. The Fighting Irish won 34-27. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken right ankle Saturday against Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

The sophomore was injured late in the third quarter when a defender fell on his right ankle during a 3-yard run by Zaire.

Zaire was helped off the field and then taken to the locker room on a cart for X-rays. Coach Brian Kelly revealed the diagnosis after the Irish rallied to win 34-27.

“Our kids are happy and they’re celebrating the win, but they lost a kid they feel really strongly about,” Kelly said. “The coaches are probably feeling it more. I am, in particular, because I’m so close to him. I feel bad for him.”

Zaire completed 7 of 18 attempts for 115 yards and a 59-yard touchdown. He also rushed for 87 yards.

Sophomore Deshone Kizer replaced Zaire and tossed a 39-yard touchdown to wide receiver Will Fuller, capping off a game-winning drive to lift No. 9 Notre Dame over Virginia 34-27 Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium.