Stanford again will be without quarterback K.J. Costello, cornerback Paulson Adebo and free safety Malik Antoine as it closes out its season Saturday by hosting No. 15 Notre Dame.

Cardinal head coach David Shaw made the announcements during Tuesday’s meeting with the media.

Costello will end his senior season having played in only five games, most recently Nov. 9 at Colorado. When not sidelined by head and thumb injuries, Costello completed 101 of 166 passes for 1,028 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

“We thought maybe he had a chance (to play), but he just wasn’t back,” said Shaw.

Getting his sixth start of the season will be junior Davis Mills (1,677 yards, nine TDs and five interceptions). Two weeks ago, Mills set a school record with 504 yards at Washington State.

He will face a Notre Dame defense that is allowing 319.5 yards per game, tied for 19th best in the country. After head coach Brian Kelly’s team was dismantled 45-14 by Michigan on Oct. 26, the Irish won four straight while holding opponents to a total of 54 points.

“Their defensive line and linebacking corps, as a guy who loves football, it’s fun to watch,” Shaw said. “They play hard, they play fast and they play physical. If you’re not ready to block them, they will put you on your backside.”

Adebo started the first nine games for the Cardinal (4-7) and his four interceptions remain tied for 10th most in the nation and are tied for the most in the Pac-12.

Antoine also started the season’s first nine games but hasn’t played the past two weeks. That leaves the Cardinal weakened in the secondary against Notre Dame (9-2) , which has scored at least 30 points eight times and in its past three games has hung 130 on the board.

Quarterback Ian Book has been the driving force, having passed for 2,537 yards, with 29 TDs and only six interceptions. He also has run for 508 yards and four scores.

“The quarterback makes it all happen,” Shaw said. “I love the way he plays. He doesn’t stand still.”

Stanford’s Big Game loss to Cal locked in the Cardinal’s first losing record under Shaw — who replaced Jim Harbaugh in 2011 — and also ended the Cardinal’s run of bowl-game appearances at 10.

“We have the ability to win this game,” said Shaw of playing Notre Dame. “We have the ability to make it a tight football game in the fourth quarter and win. The question is, ‘Will we?’”

Michael Lerseth is a San Francisco Chronicle assistant sports editor. Email: mlerseth@sfchronicle.com Twitter @MikeLerseth

Saturday’s Game Who: No. 15 Notre Dame (9-2) at Stanford (4-7) When: 1 p.m. TV/Radio:Channel: 2Channel: 40/1050