After a lackluster performance in the season-opener against Furman, No. 12 Michigan State responded but putting together a rather dominant performance against No. 18 Notre Dame on the road.
Tyler O’Connor completed 19 of 26 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns and Gerald Holmes added two more on the ground as the Spartans built a huge lead before hanging on for a 36-28 victory at Notre Dame Stadium.
Down 7-0 in the second quarter, Michigan State responded by scoring 36 unanswered points to take a 36-7 lead midway through the third quarter.
Donnie Corley got the Spartans going as he hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass by climbing the ladder and out jumping the defensive back for an incredible catch. Corley finished the day with 88 yards.
Donnie Corley out here playing take away pic.twitter.com/Wk0WKa8p3a
— Zach Berridge (@ZachBerridge) September 18, 2016
But Notre Dame didn’t quit as the Irish made a furious comeback attempt that came up short. Faced with a 4th-and-8, the Irish elected to punt the ball with just under four minutes to play. But never got the ball back as the Spartans were able to run out the clock for the win.
DeShone Kizer finished the game with 344 yards through the air and two touchdowns for the Irish. Kizer did have an interception — one of three Irish turnovers on the night.
Next Opponents
Michigan State: The Spartans open Big Ten play with a home game against Wisconsin. Both teams haven’t played since 2012 where they came out with a 16-13 overtime victory to end the Badgers’ 21-game home winning streak.
Notre Dame: The Irish will play three straight games against ACC teams beginning with Duke. The Irish are 3-1 all-time against the Blue Devils.
