Blue and Gold Illustrated

Sept. 30, 2013 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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on paper revisited MSU Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Minus sophomore defensive end Sheldon Day (sprained ankle), it was all hands on deck for a line that has had much attrition since the spring. AllAmerica candidates Louis Nix III (six tackles and a pass deflection) and Stephon Tuitt (six tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry) had as many stops in this game (12) as in the first three contests combined. The Notre Dame defense is built for physical, smash-mouth teams, not necessarily more finesseoriented units. Linebackers Carlo Calabrese (eight tackles, one for loss) and Jarrett Grace (eight tackles) in particular were in their wheelhouse. Only one of Michigan State's 35 running plays eclipsed eight yards (an 11-yard run in the third quarter by Jeremy Langford). Advantage: Notre Dame By lou somogyi Dame ahead for good (17-10), the Irish seemed to concede that they wouldn't be able to run against the Spartans. Notre Dame faced nine situations where it was in third-and-three or less and converted only three of MSU Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense It was a strong performance by cornerbacks Bennett Jackson (seven tackles) and KeiVarae Russell (four tackles and three passes broken up) after some rough patches at the beginning of the season. Their coverage was consistently tight and their tackling more sure. Sophomore Elijah Shumate made his initial start at safety in place of junior Matthias Farley, but Farley's 29-yard interception return in the third quarter when the game was tied at 10 was a game-changer. Pass pressure with four- and even three-man rushes was effective during the decisive fourth quarter. The Spartans not only completed just 16 of 36 passes (44.4 percent), but also averaged a measly 3.8 yards per pass attempt with not one completion of at least 20 yards. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Running Game Vs. MSU Run Defense Other than running back Cam McDaniel's sevenyard scoring run in the fourth quarter that put Notre The Irish misfired on deep passes throughout the game, and junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels finished with three receptions for just six yards. photo by Bill Panzica

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