For the first time since 2013, the Irish and Spartans will do battle for the Megaphone Trophy, the return to Midwestern smash mouth football-and a three-game Notre Dame winning streak-a flawless early-season test for both teams.
Advertisement
Can Michigan State march into South Bend and come away with a huge road victory or will the Fighting Irish prove to be too much for the Spartans to handle?
Heading into the game, some of the Spartan players have a little extra motivation. “The natural reaction, any time they are tested about a physical contest, they are like “come on. let’s bring it on”. They are more mindful and have been training with more intensity, which helps them retain what they are doing. The only things that have saved them have been penalties and dropped passes. It’s just a process of improvement. “I think we’ve got players, but it all remains to be seen”.
On the final tune-up before ACC play… “And looking at that defense and offense, we played against some of the top guys – I don’t know how many guys got drafted on that defense”. “I think the fans would be more upset than the players, just because they’re insane down there and up here”. “Certain things like that, like (assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator) Coach Harlon Barnett tried to teach us early on”. He’s usually wrong, I’m usually right and then we move on. Defensively, Michigan State football is yielding 233.9 yards in passing and 116.0 yards in rushing against the opposing teams.
“We need to focus internally and not look sideways”. As for Michigan State, Tirico said he’s among those who need to see more from the Spartans than one game against an FCS opponent. The attention has to be on what is happening in the moment. “He’s getting the right nutrition, which is giving him an opportunity to train at a higher level”. Notre Dame is ranked No. 18, but the Spartans are still 7.5-point underdogs, if you can believe that.
Notre Dame showed its own share of mental toughness in last week’s victory over Nevada, bouncing back from a double-overtime loss to Texas in the season-opener.
In a downpour at East Lansing, No. 12 Notre Dame was still reeling from a 47-21 loss at home the previous week to Michigan and quickly fell behind 17-0 to Michigan State.
-Pass defense is the weakness of this Notre Dame football team; that’s well known. That is a great advantage for them coming into this weekend’s matchups. An argument can be made for a better way to enter this game by both teams. The defense is anchored by sophomore Zuzana Ondruskova, who is leading the Hawks in digs with an average of 3.14 per set.
After falling behind 17-14 with 1:45 remaining, walk-on Irish quarterback Pat Dillingham, in place of the injured Carlyle Holiday, connected on a short sight adjustment route with Arnaz Battle.
“Strength in numbers” has always been Michigan State’s unofficial motto and creating quality depth is arguably the most important development of the Mark Dantonio coaching era.
The incredible first season of head coach Tyrone Willingham continued when the No. 12 Irish rallied to defeat Michigan State in East Lansing, 21-17.
Michigan State: DL Malik McDowell. In the renewal of a great old Midwestern football rivalry, the Irish clash with the Spartans on Saturday night under the watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus. The Fighting Irish hold a 48-28-1 all-time lead in the series.
Advertisement
DePaul comes to the Spartan Classic with a 5-4 record. The Spartans would go on to finish 13-1 and No. 3 in the country. Even with pumping the breaks and putting in the backups in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame’s offense was its firepower with 444 total yards, including 239 yards rushing.
