Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire undergoes surgery on fractured ankle

Notre Dame starting quarterback Malik Zaire underwent successful surgery on his fractured ankle, head coach Brian Kelly said.

Zaire suffered the injury against Virginia on Saturday. Kelly made the announcement after the victory over the Cavaliers.

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

Zaire was unable to put weight on his leg and after leaving the game was taken to the locker room on a cart to get X-rays.

The injury occurred when the sophomore's leg was trapped under bodies while being tackled.

DeShone Kizer, who had one career pass attempt coming into the game, came in after Zaire left the field and rallied the team to a win. Kizer hit wideout Will Fuller for a 39-yard score in the game's final minute for a go-ahead score.

"He can win games for us," Kelly said of Kizer. "I want to win a championship with him. We need to get him to the next level."

Kizer will now likely have to carry the offense the rest of the way, as the Irish lost starting running back Tarean Falston to a torn ACL in Week 1.