The Irish tallied just 57 rushing yards, a paltry number for a team that wants to dominate the line of scrimmage and be offensively balanced.
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The Spartans entered the season ranked #12 and they were holding steady heading into the game with ND. Following the loss to Texas in week 1, the Irish knew that a loss would ruin all hopes at a chance at playing in the college football playoff.
The win was MSU coach Mark Dantonio’s first in South Bend since his debut season in 2007, snapping a three-game losing streak to Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly since the 2010 “Little Giants” win in East Lansing.
Michigan State then sprung a two-point conversion to take an 8-7 lead and seize momentum in the contest. Both teams have some home-run hitters on offense, but the team that has to consistently drive the length of the field for scores will be at a severe disadvantage. The Fighting Irish committed three turnovers, including a botched punt return that led to an early Michigan State touchdown.
Notre Dame’s defense would get the ball back for Kizer and company as the Irish would not surrender to the Spartans.
Saturday’s game was the 251st straight sellout at Notre Dame Stadium. Kizer dropped back to pass, but was sacked by freshman DT Raequan Williams to force an Irish punt with 3:30 left. The others in South Bend include WRs Trishton Jackson, Justin Layne and Cam Chambers; QB Messiah deWeaver; DEs Josh King and Auston Robertson; LBs Brandon Randle and Joe Bachie; OL Thiyo Lukusa; and TE Noah Davis. What many failed to realize was that Notre Dame and Michigan State were pausing a rivalry with stronger roots.
Do not believe the hyperbole of Notre Dame’s 21 straight points to pull within eight points. Now quarterback Tyler O’Connor and the number twelve ranked MSU Spartans look to win on the road tonight. O’Connor lobbed what looked like was going to be another interception on consecutive passes.
“It got tougher and tougher in the fourth quarter running the football”. Notre Dame, which had difficulties tackling the big backs from Texas, will be challenged by the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Scott. It’s Kelly’s seventh year at Notre Dame – shouldn’t the foundation be set by now? The Spartans defense shut down Notre Dame’s running game, and while DeShone Kizer passed for 344 yards, the Irish turned the ball over three times.
“That’s not even part of the conversation”, said Kelly about his confidence in Van Gorder. Lightning soon struck in the form of Holmes, who sprinted 73 yards untouched into the end zone, an exclamation point on a dominant stretch of football by Michigan State. Brown. Kizer would later cap off the 91-yard scoring drive with a run of his own as he scrambled for a 14-yard touchdown. Notre Dame’s defense gave up 501 net yards on 78 plays.
The Michigan State Spartans (1-0) defeated the Furman Paladins, 28-13, last week.
Could four plays go any worse for the Irish than the ones that transpired in the second quarter?
There was much consternation from fans and media members when Notre Dame temporarily ended its series with MI.
This was a Michigan State defense that saw its longtime chief, Pat Narduzzi, graduate to head-coaching status at Pitt two years ago.
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Coming into the 4th quarter, the Irish realized they needed defensive stops and quick offense.
