South Bend, IN – No. 3 Notre Dame continued its unbeaten run with a decisive 27-10 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish built a comfortable lead early and never looked back, showcasing a balanced attack on offense and a stifling defense that limited the Spartans to just 167 total yards.
Offensive highlights
Quarterback CJ Carr was efficient and productive, completing 18 of 24 passes for 234 yards. He added a three‑yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter that extended the lead to 27‑10. Wide receiver Micah Gilbert led the receiving corps with eight catches for 170 yards, including a spectacular 61‑yard reception that set up a scoring drive.
Running back Nolan James Jr. contributed 76 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Aneyas Williams also found the end zone on the ground, giving Notre Dame a two‑touchdown advantage before halftime.
Defensive dominance
Notre Dame’s defense was the story of the night, holding Michigan State to a mere 167 total yards. The Irish forced two turnovers, with cornerbacks Adon Shuler and Luke Talich each intercepting Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. The Spartans managed only a single touchdown, a 15‑yard run by Cam Fancher late in the first half, and were shut out for the remainder of the game.
Game flow
The Irish opened the scoring with a Spencer Porath field goal, followed by a two‑yard touchdown run by James to take a 10‑0 lead after the first quarter. Michigan State trimmed the deficit to seven points before Williams restored Notre Dame’s two‑touchdown cushion late in the first half. After a 17‑10 halftime score, the Irish added a third touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing the win.
With the victory, Notre Dame improved to 3‑0 on the season, while Michigan State suffered its first loss, falling to 2‑1.
Looking ahead
Notre Dame remains a top contender in the college football landscape, and the performance against Michigan State reinforces its reputation for strong defense and efficient offense. The Irish will look to build on this momentum in their next matchup, while the Spartans will aim to rebound and address the defensive lapses that cost them the game.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
