Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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by the numbers 3 Consecutive victories in the series by Notre Dame, a first since winning eight in a row against the Spartans from 1987-94. Michigan State never scored more than one touchdown and 13 points during the recent Irish winning streak. 7 Wins in a row by Notre Dame in games decided by seven or fewer points. The Irish won all five last season and both this year, 31-24 at Purdue and 17-13 versus Michigan State. This streak is now tied for the third longest in the program's history with head coach Ara Parseghian's Notre Dame teams from November 1972 until January 1975. The longest streaks are 12 under head coach Elmer Layden from 1937-39, and 10 with head coach Knute Rockne from 1927-30. By lou somogyi the Michigan State end zone was nullified by pass interference on the Spartans. 74 Yards receiving in the first quarter by Notre Dame freshman wideouts. Corey Robinson had 24- and 13-yard gains, and William Fuller's first career reception netted 37 yards to set up a Kyle Brindza 41-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Robinson, who entered the game with one catch this year, finished with a game-high 54 yards receiving on three grabs. 8:39 Minutes and seconds on Michigan State's drive to begin the second half, resulting in a 25-yard field goal to knot the game at 10. It was the longest scoring drive and most plays run in a series (15) against the Irish this season. 9 Touchdowns surrendered by Notre Dame this year in the red zone after Michigan State concluded a first-half drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Connor Cook to Macgarrett Kings Jr. on third-andeight. During the 12-0 regular season last year, Notre Dame allowed only eight touchdowns in 33 red-zone possessions. However, Michigan State did score only one touchdown on its four red-zone chances. 10 Meetings in the 14 years since 2000 where the outcome of the Notre Dame-Michigan State game was decided by seven or fewer points. The series — which takes a two-year hiatus in 2014‑15 — is tied 5-5 in those 10 games. 12-0 Record under Brian Kelly when Notre Dame doesn't commit a turnover, including 2-0 this year (Temple and Michigan State). Senior TJ Jones almost lost a fumble on a punt, and an interception thrown by senior Tommy Rees in Freshman wide receiver Will Fuller's first collegiate reception was a 37-yarder down the sideline in the first quarter. photo by Bill Panzica 254 Punts Notre Dame had without one getting blocked until Michigan State's Matt Mackssood deflected the first attempt with 13:21 left in the first quarter. The last time Notre Dame had a punt blocked was Nov. 8, 2008 during a 17‑0 loss at Boston College. 1999 The most recent season, until now, that Notre Dame won its 10th straight game at home. That ties the third-longest winning streak in the 84-year history of Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish last won 10 straight at home from 1997 into 1999 before losing to Michigan State (the week before hosting Oklahoma that year, too).