SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame and Michigan State renewed one of college football’s most familiar rivalries Saturday, with the 80th meeting between the Fighting Irish and Spartans once again putting the Megaphone Trophy on the line.
Notre Dame added another chapter to the rivalry with a 27-10 victory, using a balanced offensive attack and a defense that completely shut down Michigan State after halftime.
The Fighting Irish entered the game with a 49-29-1 advantage in the all-time series, although Michigan State had won 11 of the previous 19 meetings.
This time, Notre Dame controlled the second half from start to finish.
Notre Dame Establishes Early Control
Notre Dame wasted no time attacking the Spartans’ defense.
Quarterback CJ Carr connected with Micah Gilbert for a 61-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage, immediately putting Michigan State on its heels.
The Spartans eventually stiffened, stopping Notre Dame’s rushing attack on three consecutive plays for a combined seven yards. Spencer Porath then converted a 25-yard field goal to give the Irish a 3-0 lead.
Michigan State’s first possession went nowhere.
Notre Dame broke up a pass on first down before Tionne Gray brought down Spartan quarterback Alessio Milivojevic for a third-down sack. Facing fourth and long, Michigan State’s pressure problems continued when Notre Dame’s rush forced punter Rhys Dakin into a 14-yard punt.
That gave Notre Dame possession at the Michigan State 41.
The Irish took advantage.
Notre Dame mixed five passes with six rushing attempts during a 41-yard scoring drive that ended when Nolan James Jr. powered into the end zone from 2 yards out.
The touchdown gave Notre Dame a 10-0 advantage.
Spartans Answer, But Irish Regain Momentum
Michigan State briefly appeared ready to swing the momentum.
Notre Dame linebacker Luke Talich intercepted a Milivojevic pass intended for Rodney Bullard Jr., giving the Irish another opportunity.
Notre Dame couldn’t capitalize, however, and a failed fake punt returned the ball to Michigan State with favorable field position.
The Spartans put together a 12-play, 36-yard drive but settled for a 32-yard field goal from Liam Boyd.
The kick cut the Notre Dame lead to 10-3.
The Irish answered with another sustained scoring drive.
Notre Dame marched 75 yards on 10 plays, overcoming a critical Michigan State pass interference penalty in the end zone along the way. Aneyas Williams finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing the Irish advantage back to two touchdowns at 17-3.
Michigan State responded immediately.
The Spartans needed only three plays to travel 68 yards.
Milivojevic hit Bullard for a 53-yard completion that moved Michigan State to the Notre Dame 15-yard line.
Cam Fancher then entered at quarterback and immediately made an impact, running 15 yards to the left side for a touchdown.
The score sent the Spartans into halftime trailing 17-10.
Irish Defense Takes Over After Intermission
Whatever momentum Michigan State carried into halftime disappeared quickly.
The Spartans managed only 17 yards on six plays during their opening second-half possession before Dakin punted 56 yards to flip the field.
Notre Dame responded with its longest and most time-consuming drive of the afternoon.
The Irish traveled 77 yards on 17 plays and drained 9:42 from the clock.
Michigan State’s defense eventually held inside the red zone, forcing Notre Dame to settle for Porath’s 35-yard field goal.
The kick extended the lead to 20-10.
The Spartans could not generate a response.
Their next possession lasted only five plays and gained 10 yards. Notre Dame’s defense recorded two sacks and forced another punt.
Carr and Gilbert Put the Game Away
Notre Dame needed only a few plays to turn the game into a three-score affair.
Carr found Gilbert for a 28-yard completion and then connected with him again for 39 yards, moving the Irish deep into Michigan State territory.
Carr finished the possession himself, running 3 yards for a touchdown.
The score pushed Notre Dame’s advantage to 27-10.
Michigan State’s problems continued immediately after the ensuing touchback.
On the first play of the next possession, Notre Dame’s Adon Schuler intercepted Milivojevic and returned the ball 9 yards to the Spartan 27-yard line.
The Irish couldn’t turn that opportunity into additional points, as Porath’s 39-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left.
It ultimately didn’t matter.
Notre Dame’s defense had already done enough to secure the victory.
Defense Seals the Win
Michigan State was shut out throughout the second half and finished with only 40 net yards after halftime.
For the game, Notre Dame outgained the Spartans 395-167 and dominated possession, holding the ball for 37:04 compared with Michigan State’s 22:56.
The Irish defense consistently won the line of scrimmage, pressured the quarterback and prevented Michigan State from sustaining drives.
Top Performers
Notre Dame
CJ Carr: 18-of-24 passing, 234 yards; one rushing touchdown.
Nolan James Jr.: 121 rushing yards on 26 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Micah Gilbert: Six receptions for 170 yards.
Gilbert was particularly explosive, accounting for 170 receiving yards on only six catches.
Michigan State
Jordan Hall: Led the Spartans with 13 tackles, including nine solo stops, and recorded half a sack.
Looking Ahead:
Notre Dame will return to the road next Saturday for a 2 p.m. matchup against in-state rival Purdue.
The game will mark Notre Dame’s third matchup against a Big Ten opponent this season and will be broadcast on Peacock.
Michigan State will open Big Ten play Sept. 26 when Nebraska visits.
That game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. kickoff and will air on the Big Ten Network.
For Notre Dame, the victory was defined by its ability to finish. The Irish built an early lead, weathered Michigan State’s first-half push and then completely shut down the Spartans after halftime.
The result was another victory in the historic rivalry — and another performance built on defense, discipline and timely execution.
