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|
ND |
MICHST |
Opportunistic Irish handle Michigan State 38-18
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Brian Lewerke threw toward the left side of the field and Julian Love broke to the ball.
''I really don't remember the rest,'' the Notre Dame cornerback said.
Love intercepted the pass and had open field in front of him, scoring on a 59-yard return in the first quarter that gave the Irish a comfortable early lead in their 38-18 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night. Notre Dame was outgained but never trailed. The Irish took control by forcing three crucial turnovers in the first half.
Brandon Wimbush threw for a touchdown and ran for one for Notre Dame, and Dexter Williams caught a touchdown pass and ran for a TD. Deon McIntosh added a scoring run for the Irish (3-1).
It was the first time Michigan State (2-1) went an entire regular-season game without leading in over five years.
Michigan State hadn't allowed an offensive touchdown through its first two games, but Notre Dame put an end to that run by driving 78 yards in 1:55 on the game's first possession. Wimbush opened the scoring with a 16-yard run, and then Love picked off Lewerke's pass and ran it back to give the Irish a 14-point advantage.
''We got the pick-six and got up 14-0, then we were able to control the football a little bit,'' Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. ''Then when you get a lead on the road, I thought that Brandon Wimbush did a really good job of controlling the offense. And then again I think like everything else, if you take care of the football, which we did today, good things happen.''
Lewerke broke free for a 52-yard run on what looked like a simple quarterback sneak on third-and-1. That set up his 4-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Stewart. But in the second quarter, Lewerke fumbled while trying to scramble out of trouble on third down, giving Notre Dame the ball at the Michigan State 24. Wimbush threw an 8-yard TD pass to Williams to make it 21-7.
''The interception was just a bad decision. On the fumble I've got to keep the ball tucked in,'' said Lewerke, who threw for 340 yards and two TDs. ''The fumble shouldn't happen. The interception shouldn't happen, either.''
The Spartans were still very much in the game, but they couldn't overcome their next giveaway. LJ Scott was about to score when Notre Dame cornerback Shaun Crawford forced a fumble and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Williams scored on a 14-yard run to give Notre Dame a 28-7 halftime lead.
Crawford intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in a win at Boston College last weekend.
The last time Michigan State went a whole regular-season game without leading was Sept. 15, 2012, in a 20-3 loss to Notre Dame.
THE TAKEAWAY
Notre Dame: The Irish rushed for 515 yards in that win over Boston College. Michigan State provided more resistance, but Notre Dame still showcased a balanced running game and avoided mistakes. It was a poised performance on the road in a tough environment.
''To come in here against a team that's nationally ranked defensively, and take the football away like we did and to be opportunistic, I'm really, really pleased with the results,'' Kelly said.
Michigan State: The Spartans didn't look overmatched in this game, but they made crucial mistakes. The turnovers obviously hurt, and Michigan State was also penalized nine times for 97 yards.
''We had nine penalties. We had six in our first two games,'' coach Mark Dantonio said. ''But ultimately the turnovers are what crush you.''
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Notre Dame: The Irish received 57 votes in the most recent AP Top 25, finishing five spots out of the ranking. There probably won't be enough shuffling for them to move in next week, but a comfortable win on the road won't hurt.
HEAVY PRICE
Michigan State has paid dearly for turning the ball over this season. The Spartans have already allowed four return touchdowns - two fumbles, a kickoff and the interception Saturday.
Michigan State has lost six fumbles, including three by Scott, who has fumbled twice near the opponent's goal line.
TAKING ADVANTAGE
Notre Dame scored touchdowns on all four of its trips to the red zone. The Irish are now 19 for 19 in the red zone this season with 15 touchdowns.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame: The Irish host Miami of Ohio next Saturday.
Michigan State: The Spartans open their conference schedule at home against Iowa. It will be the teams' first meeting since Michigan State edged the Hawkeyes 16-13 in the 2015 Big Ten title game, securing a berth in college football's playoff.
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More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .
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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. WimbushĀ
7 QB
|
B. Wimbush | 14/20 | 173 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. AdamsĀ
33 RB
|
J. Adams | 9 | 56 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. WimbushĀ
7 QB
|
B. Wimbush | 8 | 52 | 1 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsĀ
2 RB
|
D. Williams | 8 | 40 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McIntoshĀ
38 RB
|
D. McIntosh | 12 | 35 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. BookĀ
12 QB
|
I. Book | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SandersĀ
3 WR
|
C. Sanders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ClaypoolĀ
83 WR
|
C. Claypool | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
E. St. BrownĀ
6 WR
|
E. St. Brown | 0 | 4 | 61 | 0 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ClaypoolĀ
83 WR
|
C. Claypool | 0 | 4 | 56 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SmytheĀ
80 TE
|
D. Smythe | 0 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. MackĀ
86 TE
|
A. Mack | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. BoykinĀ
81 WR
|
M. Boykin | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsĀ
2 RB
|
D. Williams | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. SandersĀ
3 WR
|
C. Sanders | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AdamsĀ
33 RB
|
J. Adams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. WeisharĀ
82 TE
|
N. Weishar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. SmithĀ
15 WR
|
C. Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
N. MorganĀ
5 LB
|
N. Morgan | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TranquillĀ
23 LB
|
D. Tranquill | 6-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. MartiniĀ
48 LB
|
G. Martini | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LoveĀ
27 CB
|
J. Love | 5-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ConeyĀ
4 LB
|
T. Coney | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ElliottĀ
21 S
|
J. Elliott | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. TrumbettiĀ
98 DL
|
A. Trumbetti | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. VaughnĀ
8 CB
|
D. Vaughn | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. WatkinsĀ
7 CB
|
N. Watkins | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Pride Jr.Ā
18 CB
|
T. Pride Jr. | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BilalĀ
22 LB
|
A. Bilal | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BonnerĀ
55 DL
|
J. Bonner | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. KareemĀ
53 DL
|
K. Kareem | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. ColemanĀ
24 S
|
N. Coleman | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HayesĀ
93 DL
|
J. Hayes | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. CrawfordĀ
20 CB
|
S. Crawford | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Genmark-HeathĀ
13 S
|
J. Genmark-Heath | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. RobertsonĀ
17 S
|
I. Robertson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Tagovailoa-AmosaĀ
95 DL
|
M. Tagovailoa-Amosa | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. CanteenĀ
11 WR
|
F. Canteen | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. TilleryĀ
99 DL
|
J. Tillery | 0-3 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HayesĀ
9 DL
|
D. Hayes | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. OkwaraĀ
42 DL
|
J. Okwara | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ja. JonesĀ
44 LB
|
Ja. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jo. JonesĀ
45 LB
|
Jo. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. YoonĀ
19 K
|
J. Yoon | 1/1 | 46 | 5/5 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. NewsomeĀ
85 P
|
T. Newsome | 4 | 38.3 | 3 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. SandersĀ
3 WR
|
C. Sanders | 2 | 32.5 | 38 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. YoungĀ
87 WR
|
M. Young | 1 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. FinkeĀ 10 WR
|
C. Finke | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. LewerkeĀ
14 QB
|
B. Lewerke | 31/51 | 340 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. JacksonĀ
86 WR
|
T. Jackson | 1/1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
L. ScottĀ
3 RB
|
L. Scott | 11 | 61 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. LewerkeĀ
14 QB
|
B. Lewerke | 9 | 56 | 0 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. HolmesĀ
24 RB
|
G. Holmes | 6 | 22 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LondonĀ
28 RB
|
M. London | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
H. RisonĀ
5 WR
|
H. Rison | 0 | 4 | 73 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. JacksonĀ
86 WR
|
T. Jackson | 0 | 5 | 69 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 0 | 6 | 41 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Davis IIIĀ
18 WR
|
F. Davis III | 0 | 4 | 38 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ma. SokolĀ
81 TE
|
Ma. Sokol | 0 | 2 | 35 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. HolmesĀ
24 RB
|
G. Holmes | 0 | 2 | 30 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. WhiteĀ
7 WR
|
C. White | 0 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ChambersĀ
21 WR
|
C. Chambers | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. DotsonĀ
89 TE
|
M. Dotson | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. LondonĀ
28 RB
|
M. London | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. LewerkeĀ
14 QB
|
B. Lewerke | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. ScottĀ
3 RB
|
L. Scott | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
M. MorrisseyĀ
10 S
|
M. Morrissey | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WillekesĀ
48 DE
|
K. Willekes | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WillisĀ
27 S
|
K. Willis | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DowellĀ
5 LB
|
A. Dowell | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LayneĀ
2 CB
|
J. Layne | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FreyĀ
23 LB
|
C. Frey | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BachieĀ
35 LB
|
J. Bachie | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. PanasiukĀ
72 DT
|
M. Panasiuk | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SmithĀ
15 CB
|
T. Smith | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SimmonsĀ
34 LB
|
A. Simmons | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ScottĀ
22 CB
|
J. Scott | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TerryĀ
6 QB
|
D. Terry | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. BulloughĀ
38 LB
|
B. Bullough | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ButlerĀ
19 CB
|
J. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. WilliamsĀ
99 DT
|
R. Williams | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. OwensĀ
41 DT
|
G. Owens | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ThompsonĀ
17 LB
|
T. Thompson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. CoghlinĀ
4 K
|
M. Coghlin | 1/1 | 40 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. HartbargerĀ
25 P
|
J. Hartbarger | 3 | 49.0 | 0 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Stewart Jr.Ā
25 WR
|
D. Stewart Jr. | 3 | 26.3 | 32 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. WelchĀ
88 WR
|
A. Welch | 1 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |