It was another memorable Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium as the Michigan State Spartans came ready to play, only this time the Fighting Irish held on for the victory.

After the bewildering defeat by Michigan a week earlier, it was nice to see the Irish bounce back and beat an opponent that always savors beating Notre Dame. Here are my grades for this weekend’s game:

Quarterback: A

Clausen picks up another terrific grade with a very gutsy and heroic performance. We may look back on this game and see it as a turning point in his career. Shaking off an ankle injury Clausen was nearly mistake free and continues to move the ball down the field. Right now, dare I say he’s quietly making a case for the Heisman?

Running Backs: B+

Armando Allen continues to impress and has officially become the number one back in the Irish staple. He is showing more explosive speed and even more important, strength and toughness to fight for extra yards. Heck, he even threw for a touchdown pass! We didn’t see much of the other backs in this game, but Jonas Gray did rip off a nice long run during his limited time on the field.
Wide Receivers: B+

I’ll have more on the injury to Floyd later, but suffice to say he will be missed. Golden Tate really stepped up against the Spartans and caught the game-winning touchdown as well picking up two key first downs in crunch time. Tight end Kyle Rudolph seems to be improving each game and he had another stellar peformance. The time has come for the depth of the wideouts to be tested and somebody needs to step up.

Offensive Line: B+

With the way the line is playing there isn’t too much to complain about. They did give up their first sack of the year (although it was a missed block by a RB) but they have been generally excellent in pass and run blocking. Of course, the penalties have been piling up over the past two games and that is something that needs to change.

Defensive Line: C

The defensive line probably had their best game of the year against Michigan State, but they are still decidely average. They made some key stops against the Spartan ground game, but State was able to run the ball pretty effectively a large portion of the game and especially early on. As far as attacking the quarterback on blitzes, the defensive line is getting shut down.

Linebackers: D

This was a tough game for the Irish linebackers. Brian Smith, Toryan Smith, and Manti Te’o were all but invisible for long stretches at a time and were unable to get much pressure on Michigan State’s quarterbacks. Even worse, there weren’t any tackles or defensive plays worth remembering.

Defensive Backs: C+

If not for Kyle McCarthy’s play, the defensive backs would be in big trouble. I’ve made it no secret I don’t favor the heavy blitzing by Tenuta and it is absolutely killing the Irish defensive backs. As it is, I don’t expect many things to change so the corners are going to have to start making plays, meaning more pass break ups, interceptions, and turnovers.

Special Teams: B

The best thing was that Tausch hit both of his field goal attempts, although he did miss an extra point. However, would Notre Dame have lost this game last year with Walker’s leg? There was nothing spectacular or horrible about the special teams in this game, besides the fact that Maust had a couple decent punts.

Coaching: B

If not for the play of the defense, the coaching would have a much higher grade. Charlie Weis did a better job of managing this game and he has the offense working on all cylinders and Saturday was no exception. The one thing I wanted to see was a score on the third drive of the game and more time burnt off the clock on Notre Dame’s last drive. Concerning John Tenuta and Corwin Brown, well they have a lot of work to do this week to fix the defensive problems.

Summary:

There are only two problems I have with the offense throughout the game against Michigan State. The first is that Weis made some bad play calling on Notre Dame’s third possession of the game, a drive which I thought was crucial to the game.

Facing a third and four coming out for the second quarter, Weis dialed up a wildcat to Allen that came up just short of the first down. Now, I don’t have a big problem with the wildcat (mostly because it’s been fairly successful so far this season), but I would have liked the ball in Clausen’s hands in that situation.

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Junior RB Armando Allen-59 carries, 339 yards (5.5 average) 3 touchdowns in 2009

After suffering a near heart attack watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hang on to defeat Michigan State yesterday, I realized two of my strong predictions for the season are manifesting themselves as true.

A) Armando Allen is becoming a top-flight running back.

B) Defensive coordinator John Tenuta’s blitzing schemes are not working and are hurting the Irish defense.

First, Allen has blossomed into the runner many experts thought he had the potential to be. Let’s give credit to the offensive line as well because they are playing much better and opening holes for all Notre Dame ball carriers too.

Still, even when there aren’t large holes, Allen is making plays, gaining extra yards, and showing extra toughness which Irish fans have always wanted to see from him. He’s averaging well over five yards a carry which is production that Notre Dame desperately needs to have a well balanced offense.

With Michael Floyd’s injury, the play of Allen is all the more important as the Irish will inevitably be forced to run the ball a little more in the coming weeks. Thankfully, the ground game is finally at a place where there’s confidence to hand the ball off and make first downs.

Now about the defense and the endless blitzing dialed up by John Tenuta. It’s just not working and is putting the Irish defense at a needless disadvantage. I was hoping that I would be proved wrong on this point, but all signs are pointing to the contrary.

There are a few reasons why the blitzes are not working. First, as most people notice, the defensive line cannot get a good enough push and have been unable to get any pressure on Nevada, Michigan, or Michigan State quarterbacks.

I don’t care if Mike Singletary and Ray Lewis line up at linebacker for Notre Dame because it’s not that hard to defend a blitz with a non-threatening defensive line.

Secondly, the linebackers have not been quick enough to get near the quarterback in time to make the blitzes worthwhile. As a result, Notre Dame continually sends five or six men at the quarterback while leaving the secondary out to dry.

The result is that the Irish have made opposing offenses look much better than they are and there’s a loss already on the schedule that I believe wouldn’t be there with a less aggressive defensive game plan.

It’s maddening to watch Notre Dame blitz on play after play and continue to do so when it is so clearly not working. There is also no schematic advantage for doing this when everyone and their mother knows it’s coming on every down.

Another thing that has bothered me is that too many blitzing defenders are being sucked into blockers and not trying to get to the quarterback. Numerous times I have watched as a linebacker would come off the edge to meet an offensive lineman, and instead of trying to get around him and get after the quarterback, they simply engage the lineman and doing nothing more.

Notre Dame might as well play with one linebacker on the field because that is what they’ve been forced to do for three games this year. After all those blitzes through three games (probably 80 percent of all snaps and over 90 percent of snaps yesterday) Notre Dame has a grand total of four sacks, including zero against Michigan State.

In my opinion, it would be like Notre Dame trying to run the ball up the middle and getting stuffed each and every time, but continuing to do the same thing over and over. In effect, the defense is playing into all of their weaknesses. Isn’t insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?

I’ll give the Irish credit on State’s last play because they did get some pressure (although it was still late) but Cousins simply lost his cool and made a dumb play, something he was not doing all game long.

If you’re blitzing on 90 plays a game and only getting real pressure on half a dozen plays, then the game plan needs to change.

The question now becomes, will anything be done to fix the problem? What does Tenuta have to offer besides his blitz packages? Is it realistic to think Tenuta will tone down the blitzing in the coming weeks?

How much longer are we going to give opposing wide receivers ten yard cushions and wonder why it’s easier than back yard flag football to complete passes?

How much longer are we going to continue to see the one linebacker Notre Dame didn’t send on a blitz get lost in coverage and blown by a faster wide receiver?

So far, Notre Dame has given up 307 yards to Nevada, 430 yards to Michigan, and 459 yards to Michigan State. The Fighting Irish will have a hard time winning games giving up that kind of yardage.

At this point, given their preseason hype, the cornerbacks for Notre Dame have been the most overrated and disappointing. But because they are working at such a disadvantage with wild blitz packages in front of them, the corners are doing more than they should have to.

In conclusion, the defensive game plan needs to change and the incessant blitzing needs to stop. It could mean the difference between giving up 350 yards and 25 points to Purdue or giving up 225 yards and burying the Boilermakers before the fourth quarter begins.

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Michael Floyd Robbed of Touchdown vs Michigan State

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Video: Golden Tate Jumps Into Michigan State Marching Band

Sept 19, 2009 |Fighting Irish 33, Spartans 30

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2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Michigan State Spartans Highlights

September 19, 2009

Fighting Irish 33, Spartans 30

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By Eric Murtaugh | Fighting Irish Gameday Correspondent

One of the better rivalries in college football takes place today as Michigan State invades South Bend to face Notre Dame. Both teams are coming off crushing losses last week and will be looking to take possession of the Megaphone.

Let’s go inside the huddle for today’s kickoff.

The game starts off with another short kickoff by Irish kicker Nick Tausch and the ball is taken close to midfield by the Spartans.

A nice five yard run on first down by State is followed up by a dropped pass and an incomplete pass so the Spartans are forced to punt.

The Irish have come out in a five wide set and Clausen wastes no time moving Notre Dame down the field with three completions including a 52 yarder to tight end Kyle Rudolph. On the fourth play of the drive, running back Armando Allen takes the ball out of the wildcat formation and runs unmolested into the end zone.

State’s second drive is moving much better as they are mixing up run and passing plays and have converted a big third down in Irish territory. But the drive stalls after State moves near the red zone but settle for a field goal.

Theo Riddick takes the kickoff close to midfield and the Irish are back in business on their second drive. Notre Dame remains in empty back field sets and Clausen has yet to throw an incompletion. Seconds later, Clausen nails Michael Floyd on a corner route in the end zone. The extra point is missed by Tausch.

A long run and a 12 yard pass and State is moving once again into Notre Dame territory. A couple nice defensive plays by Kyle McCarthy and State is in third and long. Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins is unable to hit his receiver and the ensuing field goal hits the upright and is no good.

Once again the Irish are in empty back field sets and Allen has not seen the field besides his wildcat touchdown run. The first quarter ends with the Irish left with their first third down attempt of the afternoon.

This is the kind of moment where I think Weis needs to convert the third down. The Irish can really put the pressure on Michigan State and Weis tends to call very odd plays in these situations. And he does once again, with a wildcat to Allen that comes up a yard short. Luckily, a pitch to Allen comes within inches of picking up the first down.

After a false start and holding call on Notre Dame, the Irish are left with a second down and 25. Oddly enough now, Weis decides to line up in a run formation. Clausen is sacked immediately after receiving the snap and is being looked at by the trainers.

Backup quarterback Dayne Crist comes in for the third and forever and a screen pass to Hughes goes nowhere. That was a drive Notre Dame needed to put points on the board in my opinion. They need to put State away in moments like this.

So it happens, Michigan State has grabbed some momentum and after a horrible call against Robert Blanton for a late hit and another penalty against Harrison Smith for a late hit, the Spartans have moved into Irish territory. You have to love college referees.

On the next play, a half back pass finds the end zone and the Spartans are back in the game. To add more salt to the wound, Michigan State recovers an onside kick at only nine yards from the kickoff, but it was ruled the ball had gone ten yards. Would it be called any other way?

The Irish defense steps up and on a screen pass Kapron Lewis-Moore causes a fumble that is recovered by Toryan Smith. That was a much needed turnover.

Now Clausen throws his first incompletion (a drop by Parris) and Allen is now getting carries and showing a nice blend of power and speed. Weis is looking to run the ball more now and Jonas Gray rips off a long run to the left side for 15 yards.

A fade route to Floyd looked to be a touchdown but was ruled it was not so, even after a review by Notre Dame. A wildcat run by Allen brings the ball to the goal line but Clausen fumbles the snap on third down and Notre Dame settles for a field goal.

The Irish defense looks sloppy here as the first half is coming to an end and the Spartans are threatening to score. Notre Dame’s blitzing continues to be ineffective and State is inside the red zone after a couple nice completions.

After yet another penalty by Notre Dame, this time a facemask call, Michigan State punches the ball into the end zone from the goal line and takes their first lead of the game.

Notre Dame doesn’t have much time left and after a couple plays Crist throws a deep ball that is intercepted by State as the clock hits zero. Clausen left for the locker room just moments before to get treatment for his injury.

It looks as if Notre Dame has not learned from its mistakes last week and continues to blitz all nearly every play. Just like last week there is not enough pressure on the quarterbacks and State is content with quick passing and running up the middle.

Coming out of half time Notre Dame picks up a first down followed by a long completion to Golden Tate. On another wildcat formation, Allen takes the snap and throws a touchdown pass to Parris giving Notre Dame the lead on an efficient and quick first possession.

On State’s ensuing drive they get nowhere and are forced to punt. This time on third down the Irish blitz got pressure and forced an incompletion. Tate takes the punt into Michigan State territory as we got to commercial for the 85^th time today.

It’s just been announced that Floyd has broken his collar bone…this is a huge blow to the Notre Dame offense. The Irish are committing themselves to running the ball now as a third and five approaches.

Tate makes a strong second effort to gain the first down but now the Irish are in second and long after yet another holding penalty. That’s followed by a huge drop by Tate near the five yard line and an incomplete pass leaving a long field goal attempt. Tausch nails it so it’s now 26-17 Notre Dame.

State comes back with a big third down conversion and a long pass to the tight end to move into Irish territory once again. The Spartans convert another third down followed up by a long pass bringing the ball inside the five yard line.

Moments later State runs to the left side and gets another touchdown. However, the PAT is blocked keeping a three point lead for the Irish.

Another holding call on the kickoff leaves the Irish a long way from the end zone. Notre Dame picks up a first down on a pass to Kamara but the third quarter comes to an end with the Irish left with a third and two. After the commercial Allen picks up the first down.

The drive stalls near mid field and the Irish are forced to punt. The Spartans take over inside their own 20 with 12 minutes to play in the game.

Notre Dame forces State into a third down but a dump off on a slant pattern picks up huge yardage and the Spartans are inside the red zone. Two plays later Cousins hits his receiver in the end zone to take the lead.

Notre Dame takes the ball and is slowly moving the chains down the field and into Michigan State territory. There’s now less than seven minutes left and the Irish are at the 39 yard of State. If the Irish score will they leave too much time on the clock?

Indeed they may as two plays later Clausen connects with Tate for a big touchdown pass. Once again, the play is under review. It looked like he had a foot in with possession and the replay confirms it.

The onus is now on the Irish defense which has not played well all day long. Notre Dame leads by three and needs to come up with a stop on this Spartan possession.

On the first play Walls nearly picks up an interception and the second down pass is thrown high and incomplete. It’s a big third down here. Another blitz package is dialed up and the Spartan receiver just can’t hang on to the pass from Cousins. State is punting.

On first down Allen rushes up the middle for a nice gain but a personal foul penalty against Irish lineman Sam Young brings the ball back to the twelve yard line. That was the tenth penalty of the day on Notre Dame.

A huge play by Golden Tate as he catches the ball and shakes two defenders to pick up the first down. A wildcat formation goes nowhere and Allen picks up some nice yards but Notre Dame is stuck with a third down and six.

Clausen tries to find a receiver but Goodman cannot come up with it and the Irish are forced to punt. On the punt there is an illegal block against State.

State is continuing to utilize short passes and has moved the ball into Irish territory with under two minutes to play. A third down pass is almost intercepted by Ray Herring but is miraculously caught by the State receiver.

After another huge blitz by Notre Dame, Cousins had a target wide open by a mile in the end zone but just misses the completion. He’ll remember that pass because he throws an interception to Kyle McCarthy and it looks as though Notre Dame will hold on to the victory 33-30, their first in six attempts against Michigan State in South Bend.

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Notre Dame players and cheerleaders sing the alma mater after the win over Michigan State

Sept 19, 2009

Fighting Irish 33, Spartans 30

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Michigan State Spartans (1-1) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1) Information

Saturday, September 19, 2009 | Notre Dame Stadium Stadium

South Bend, IN

Kickoff: 3:42 pm EST

TV: NBC

Announcers: Tom Hammond(play-by-play),Pat Haden (analysis), Alex Flanagan (sideline)

Sirius Radio Channel: 159

XM Radio Channel: 117

Point Spread: Notre Dame  -11 points

Series Record: 44-27-1 ND

Michigan State has won nine of the past 12 games in the series, including six consecutive wins in Notre Dame Stadium (23-7 in 1997, 23-13 in 1999, 17-10 in 2001, 22-16 in 2003, 44-41 in overtime in 2005 and 31-10 in 2007). The Spartans are the only school to ever win six straight games at Notre Dame Stadium

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From the Monogram Club:

Former University of Notre Dame football standout Tim Brown, named last spring to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame, will be honored for that achievement Saturday at halftime of the Notre Dame-Michigan State football game in Notre Dame Stadium.

The 1987 Heisman Trophy winner and a two-time All-American, Brown was one of 16 former college players and two coaches named in April to the 2009 College Football Hall of Fame Class, as announced in New York by Archie Manning, chairman of the National Football Foundation.

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