Print Edition of the Irish Insider for Friday, September 16, 2016

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INSidER

The observer | FRIDAY, September 16, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

By BEN PADANILAM Associate Sports Editor

It’s Saturday night in Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame and Michigan State are battling it out in a top20 showdow n. The Irish offense takes the field, ready to square-off w ith the formidable Spartan defense.

The ball is snapped, and war is waged in the trenches of the line of scrimmage.

W ho w ins that battle on that play w ill ultimately determine the success or failure

of that play.

But once the play is over, the players line up again and ready for the next snap. They prepare to once again dig in, put their hands on the turf and assert their w ill. They may have won the battle, but the war has just begun.

It’s a physical beating not many people can handle, let alone embrace and look forward to. But not many people are Mike McGlinchey.

“It’s going to be a prett y physical football game,” McGlinchey said Wednesday.

“Obv iously guys like me are chomping at the bit for that. … That’s why you play college football as an offensive lineman is for a game like this. It’s not ever y week you get to play against guys that they’re not tr y ing to sugar coat what they’re doing.

They’re going to lineup and play and see what you’ve got, and that’s what’s fun about it. “… That’s what we play the game for.”

Yet, football isn’t just a game for the captain

CAROLINE GENCO | The Observer

Irish senior offensive lineman and team captain Mike McGlinchey leads the way on senior running back Tarean Folston’s touchdown run late in the second quarter during Notre Dame’s victory over Nevada.

and senior offensive lineman. It’s a way of life. The Philadelphia native comes from one of those big football families, where many of his cousins have played or currently play at the collegiate level. One of them — former Boston College quarterback and current signal caller for the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan — has even gone on to play in the NFL, and McGlinchey might just go on to join him after the conclusion of this season. With that kind of pedigree, it’s no surprise McGlinchey considers football as formative for him as he finds it enjoyable. “[Football] kind of made me and my family who we are,” he said. “It’s always kind of been the center point to what we did and who we were, and all of our focus was always on what we could do together as football players — how to get better and how to chase dreams that were in front of us.

“It’s been v ital to who we were. … We love it, and it’s just ever y thing about us.”

But the 6-foot-7.5, 310-pound lineman wasn’t always just a bruiser who set the tone at the line of scrimmage. He played all over the field grow ing up before settling in as a tight end in high school. But when his coaches asked him to make the sw itch to the trenches, he was more than w illing to oblige.

“A lot of it was just need at my high school, and that was prett y much just it,” McGlinchey said. “I played whatever my high school needed me to play, and I guess it was kind of my destiny to eventually put my hand

in the dirt. It worked out, so I can’t really complain.”

Work out it did, as the transition to offensive tack le and his success w ith it earned him several accolades in high school. He was ranked in the nation’s top-25 offensive tack les coming out of high school, per Rivals.com, and his play earned him an inv itation to the Semper Fidelis A ll-American Bowl as a senior. And after hearing what several college programs had to offer during his recruitment, he ultimately settled on Notre Dame.

But McGlinchey wasn’t a starter the minute he stepped on the field for the Irish. In fact, he didn’t see any time his freshman year. Then, the follow ing season, he spent most of his time on special teams. W hile he wasn’t play ing on the line for most of those first t wo seasons, he was still learning a lot from the players who were.

In guys like Zack and Nick Martin and Ronnie Stanley, McGlinchey w itnessed firsthand how to play the position w ith professionalism.

“I think [I learned] just how to be a pro, really,” McGlinchey said. “Just how to go about your business the right way, how to be a leader and how to be a good teammate, and I think that’s been the most important thing they’ve bestowed upon me.

It’s just the hard work that they did — they just showed you the right path, and we took over.”

And after 25 games, his opportunit y finally came at the end of his sophomore season, when he was named the starter at right tack le for the final game of the year: a date

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w ith a ranked LSU squad in the Music Cit y Bowl. Yet when game day finally arrived, McGlinchey said he wasn’t even focused on the difficult task of keeping a physical, athletic Tiger defensive line at bay.

“To be honest w ith you, I was really focusing on tr y ing to be healthy — I had a really bad stomach bug that day, so I was really just tr y ing to get through it,” McGlinchey said. “I mean, I was ner vous the whole month leading up to it, and it was my first [start]. I knew I was going to get the start, and I was prett y excited about it. But when the game day finally hit, I was more worried about the stomach bug than I was LSU’s defense.”

But his play showed no ill effects from the bug as he helped anchor the Irish offensive line in what ended up as a 31-28 v ictor y for the Irish. And, as he f lipped the page from his sophomore season to his junior season, he said that game gave him confidence and let him know he belonged.

“I finally figured out that I can do it when it’s the real time, and I got feel for how you had to operate w ithin the game,” McGlinchey said.

“And that’s all ver y important. It was a huge experience for me for sure.”

And it was that confidence that allowed McGlinchey to f lourish his junior season, as he helped to anchor an offensive line that was a finalist for the inaugural Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation’s best offensive line. It brought attention to him that carried over into this year, as he was named

ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, September 16, 2016 | The Observer

to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists heading into the season. He is even being talked about as a potential first-round draft pick in this year’s NFL draft, follow ing the footsteps of Stanley and Martin.

Yet, w ith all these loft y expectations being placed on him, McGlinchey knows he has to focus on being the best player he can be and not worr y ing about the footsteps of those who came before him.

“I can’t focus on the expectations that are put on me,” McGlinchey said. “ … Obviously there is an

expectation when you’re the veteran and the captain, and you have to know your job at all times and perform at the highest level. That’s what I’m trying to do each and every week. It’s a matter of focusing on what’s important and not those lofty expectations that will help me exceed them.”

Now, as the Irish prepare to play host to the Spartans on Saturday night, those expectations will be as high as ever. In a game many believe will be won at the line of scrimmage, Notre Dame will need McGlinchey and the rest of its offensive line to be at its best against a

formidable Michigan State front seven. But that doesn’t change the way the unit will prepare, as they are treating the matchup just as they would any other.

“We don’t prepare differently,” McGlinchey said. “We prepare hard each and every week, and it’s about sticking to routine and being consistent. That makes players great. So we’re not really changing a whole lot — we obviously have certain intricacies in the game plan that we’re putting in for Michigan State, but other than that, not really a whole lot of change.”

But the history of the rivalry

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between the two programs isn’t lost on McGlinchey. He said he knows how hardfought the games of the past have been between them.

And he said that will only make Saturday’s game more physical and more exciting.

“It’s a physical football game, and that’s the way football is supposed to be played,” McGlinchey said.

“I’m really excited about it, and I know the rest of our guys up front are too. It’s gonna be a fun game, and it’s gonna be a great challenge.”

Contact Ben Padanilam at bpadanil@nd.edu

CAITLYN JORDAN | The Observer

McGlinchey, who is the cousin of Matt Ryan of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, grew up in a family obsessed with football. The Philadelphia native was a jack-of-all-trades in high school, threatening defenses as a 6-foot-7.5 tight end before finding his place as an offensive lineman.

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ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, September 16, 2016 | The Observer

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recruiting

Defensive backs highlight big visit weekend

By MAREK MAZUREK Sports Editor

In addition to No. 12 Michigan State, Notre Dame will host a large number of highly-touted recruits Saturday night in what will be one of the most important recruiting weekends all year for the Irish.

“Last weekend, there weren’t a ton of big-name guys on [the visit list], but this time there’s a ton of big-time guys on there in both the 2017 and the 2018 class,” Blue and Gold Illustrated analyst Bryan Driskell said Tuesday. “There’s probably going to be 25 or 30 kids on campus this weekend when it’s all said and done.”

Three of the most important prospects visiting the Irish this weekend will be defensive backs Shaun Wade, Thomas Graham and Salvon Ahmed,

ranked 17th, 67th and 152nd respectively on Rivals.com.

Driskell said Wade is an interesting prospect since he has already committed to Ohio State but is likely to wind up somewhere else. “[Wade] is currently committed to Ohio State, but there’s a lot of folks who think he’s not going to go to Ohio State,” Driskell said. “Alabama’s the leader right now. He’s the type of guy that can come in and play as a freshman for Notre Dame. He’s extremely athletic, tall, long. Just could be a huge difference maker. He visited this summer on his own dime, so getting him back on campus for an official visit says a lot about what his interest level is at Notre Dame. This is going to be their shot to make a big impact.”

Ahmed’s visit could have an

Photo Courtesy of Rivals.com

Five-star defensive back Shaun Wade, the 17th-rated prospect nationally, will visit campus for the Michigan State game Saturday.

immediate impact for Notre Dame as Driskell said the Juanita, Washington, native could make his decision within a week. “[Ahmed] is listed as an athlete, he could play running back, he could play slot receiver. Notre Dame really likes him as a [defensive back],” Driskell said. “He’s down to his final five. He’s visiting this weekend and he’s going to make his decision supposedly within a week. There’s a couple ways of looking at that. One is he’s already made his decision, but he wants to get a Notre Dame visit in, or he thinks he knows where he wants to go, but he’s giving Notre Dame the final shot.”

With the dismissal of Max Redfield and injuries to Nick Watkins and Shaun Crawford, the holes in Notre Dame’s secondary have been filled by freshmen. Devin Studstill will make his second start at safety Saturday and Julian Love and Donte Vaughn have moved into backup roles at the cornerback and nickel slots, respectively.

Driskell said Notre Dame’s need to play freshmen can help them on the recruiting trail with toptier defensive back prospects like Wade, Graham and Ahmed.

“Look, if you’re a kid who wants to play as a freshman, you’re going to look at Notre Dame. Obviously they didn’t have freshmen starting Day One, but if you look at Devin

Photo Courtesy of Rivals.com

Notre Dame sees four-star athlete Salvon Ahmed as a defensive back, although other schools see him as a running back or receiver.

Studstill, if you look at Donte Vaughn, if you look at Julian Love. These guys are in the two-deep [depth charts] right away,” Driskell said. “You’re going to say, ‘They’re going to play their best players and I’m a five-star player, I could go there and play right away.’ I certainly think that helps.”

Another factor that increases the intensity of the weekend is the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Driskell said that while a later game time doesn’t necessarily get recruits more excited than an afternoon game, night games do give more time for events geared towards the recruits throughout the day, and they allow for recruits from further afield to have a more leisurely weekend in terms of travel.

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“I think the advantage a night game gives is really two-fold,” Driskell said. “One is from an atmospheric standpoint, which is: It’s a longer day of activities and festivities, there’s more going on during the day, so there can be a little bit more there.

The other thing is, you look at some of these kids from like California, Texas and Florida that are coming up, if Notre Dame was playing at 3:30, they’d probably have to be on a red-eye. That can make for a very long day. I think the nice thing about some of these night games is it gives guys more scheduling flexibility. Which can put you in a different mindset. You’re not tired, you’re not stressed, you don’t have to hustle to the airport after your game.”

Some other top prospects Driskell said will be making visits to campus this weekend include:

Hezekiah Jones; Stafford, Texas; No. 128 overall, No. 17 receiver “[Jones] is a very talented kid,” Driskell said. “He committed to Texas A&M, but Notre Dame’s considered a school that can flip him. His mom and dad kind of want him to stay close to home, but they’re going to come up with him again, he also came up for the Blue-Gold Game. He’s a guy to keep an eye on as a possible flip candidate.”

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Jacob Phillips; Nashville, Tennessee; No. 37 overall, No. 3 linebacker “Big physical kid who can play inside linebacker, maybe put his hand down and play defensive end,” Driskel said of Phillips. “He visited Oklahoma and Oregon already.

Oklahoma’s probably the leader at this point in time, but Notre Dame is a school Phillips really likes. He likes the academic part of things, he’s been here before.

“He’s one of those big impact guys.”

Contact Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@nd.edu

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The observer | FRIDAY, september 16, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

HEAD T

7:30 p.m. ET | Notre Dame Stadium CAITLYN JORDAN | The Observer

SPARTAN PASSING

SPARTAN OFFENSIVE COACHING

After getting torched two weeks ago against Texas, the Irish got back on track last week against the Wolf Pack. Notre Dame let up 201 passing yards and held Nevada’s quarterbacks to 12 completions on 26 passes. The Wolf Pack game saw bounce-back performances from Nick Coleman and Drue Tranquill. Defensive lineman Jarron Jones also got into the action with an interception, which set up Notre Dame for a short touchdwon.

However, there are still holes in the Irish secondary and with better throws, the Wolf Pack may have had two more touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Michigan State, through one game, compiled 190 yards of passing against Furman two weeks ago. Senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor may not win the Heisman, but he is more than just a game manager and there is little he hasn’t seen at this stage in his collegiate career.

The running game is Michigan State’s bread and butter, but if need be, the Spartan passing attack can come alive.

Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio is one of only six active head coaches to boast a .700 win percentage after 100 games at a school.

Dantonio’s teams are known for their hardnosed, old-fashioned approach and reliance on the run game and the defense. However, the Spartan offense in past years is more two dimensional than many think. Michigan State threw for 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions last year. Co-offensive coordinators Jim Bollman and Dave Warner have coached three current NFL quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins, Connor Cook and Brian Hoyer.

On the other side of the ball, Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has some work to do to mold his young defense into a top-tier unit. The defense had a much stronger showing against Nevada as the Irish limited big plays and came up with a key fourth -down stop en route to allowing only 10 points to the Wolf Pack. A solid performance against a legitimate top-15 team will go a long way towards VanGorder’s job security.

EDGE: EVEN SPARTAN RUSHING Michigan State has long been known for its tough, old-school running game and this year is no different. The Spartans rushed for nearly 2,500 yards last season and through one game in 2016, they have 171 yards on the ground.

The Spartans have an experienced offensive line with three seniors and one junior in front of sophomore LJ Scott and Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio will go to the ground early and often.

On the other side of the trenches, the Irish front seven are a far cry from the formidable 2012 team. Against Texas, the Irish surrendered 237 rushing yards after switching to a 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

While the Longhorns employed a highempo offense, the Spartans will present the Irish with a more traditional ground attack. Against the Wolf Pack, the Irish held a run-first team to only 99 yards on 30 attempts. How well the Irish control the Spartan ground game will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

EDGE: MICHIGAN STATE

NO. 12 Michigan State

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

(R-Fr.) Darrell Stewart Jr. 25

WR

(Sr.) Monty Madaris 88 (Fr.) Donnie Corley

9

LT LG C RG RT TE

(So.) David Beedle 59 (R-Fr.) Cole Cherwins 61

(So.) LJ

Scott

3

(So.) Madre London 28

(Sr.) Tyler O’Connor 7 (Jr.) Damion Terry

6

RB QB

(Jr.) Brian Allen

65

(R-Fr.) Tyler Higby 70

(Sr.) Kodi Kieler 79 (Sr.) Benny McGowan 75

(Sr.) Brandon Clemons 64 (Sr.) Benny McGowan 75

(Sr.) Miguel Machado 55 (Jr.) Dennis Finley 73

(Sr.) Josiah Price 82 (Sr.) Jamal Lyles 11

WR

(Sr.) R.J. Shelton 12 (So.) Brandon Sowards 15

(Sr.) Darian Hicks 2

(R-Fr.) Tyson Thompson 17

EDGE: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTAN SPECIAL TEAMS Michigan State went 6-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less last season and senior kicker Michael Geiger is a big reason why. Many will remember his most famous kick — a 41-yard game-winning field goal as time expired agaisnt then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 21. Geiger went 12-for-19 in field goal attempts on the year.

It is rare that defensive special teams make an impact in a game, but against Texas, the Irish blocked an extra-point attempt and returned it for a defensive twopoint conversion.

WR

(So.) Felton Davis 18

(Jr.) Chris Frey 23 (Sr.) Ed Davis 46

(Jr.) Montae Nicholson

9

(So.) Khari Willis 27

S

CB

OLB

(Jr.) Demetrius Cooper 98 (Gr.) Gabe Sherrod 89

(Sr.) Riley Bullough 30 (So.) Bryon Bullough 38

MLB

(Gr.) Kevin Williams

92

(R-Fr.) Raequan Williams 99

(Jr.) Malik McDowell 4

(So.) Gerald Owens 41

(Sr.) Evan Jones 85 (S0.) Robert Bowers 91

(So.) Andrew Dowell 5

(Jr.) Jon Reschke 33

(Sr.) Demettrius Cox 7

(So.) Grayson Miller 33

EDGE: EVEN

S

OLB

(So.) Vayante Copeland 13 (R-Fr.) Josh Butler 19

DE NT DT DE

CB

SPARTAN SCHEDULE (1-0) Sept. 2 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

Furman (28-13 W) @ Notre Dame Wisconsin

@ Indiana BYU

Northwestern

@ Maryland Michigan @ Illinois Rutgers Ohio State @ Penn State

(Sr.) Michael Geiger 4

(Sr.) Kevin Cronin 99

(So) Jake

Hartbarger

25

(R-Jr.) Brett Scanlon 97

(Sr.) R.J. Shelton 12

PK P PR

(Jr.) Matt Macksood 86 (R-Fr.) Brian Lewerke 14

(Sr.) R.J. Shelton

(R-Fr.) Collin Caflish 57

Alex Carson

Zach Klonsinski

Marek Mazurek

Assistant Managing Editor

Assistant Managing Editor

Sports Editor

Don’t expect this to be anything but a tight game.

Three of the last five have been one-score encounters, and in a game where each team really needs a win for playoff aspirations — though that’s still long down the road — count on every yard being hard-fought.

It’s tough to know what to make of these Spartans, though. His win at No. 2 Ohio State last year aside, Tyler O’Connor is still a largely unknown quantity at quarterback for Michigan State, and without a data point against an FBS opponent this year, it’s hard to speak much to the caliber of Michigan State. Just look at the line, where the Irish are favored by a decent margin, to get a pulse on that.

At the end of the day, though, defense wins these tight, hard-fought games. And Michigan State’s will be better.

FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 21, Notre Dame 17

There’s one clear narrative for the game this weekend: It’s going to be physical.

Mark Dantonio and his program have more than earned their gritty, hard-nosed reputation, and this has the makings of a slugfest to match 2013’s 17-13 Notre Dame victory.

However, even after a dominant showing against Nevada’s power attack, I’m still wary of the Irish defense’s ability to hold the Spartan offense in check. In much the same way, although I respect the Michigan State defense, my gut tells me Notre Dame will put up more points than many expect. The over/under for this game currently sits a hair over 50 points, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the game reaches 70 and threatens 80.

For me, the winner’s a toss-up, but I’ll go with the home team.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 41, Michigan State 38

12

H KR LS

This is a tough game to get a read on.

I can very easily see Notre Dame showing up big in a primetime home atmosphere and beating Sparty for the fifth time in six years.

But then I can also see Michigan State rolling over the Irish defense with a strong run game. No matter what, the Spartans are well-coached and will fight to the very end. If the weather turns sour, Michigan State gains the advantage despite the game being at Notre Dame Stadium.

At the end of the day, however, I have to go with the team that has the Heisman hopeful at quarterback. If Kizer is anything less than perfect, the Irish fall, but he’ll be on his game and the Irish win ... somehow.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 28

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ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, september 16, 2016 | The Observer

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O HEAD on NBC

No. 18 Notre Dame CB

Nick Coleman (So.) 35

24

Donte Vaughn (Fr.)

WILL DE DT DT DE

WR WR RT RG C LG LT TE WR

KO KR LS

4

Te’von Coney (So.)

22 Asmar Bilal (So.)

S

Andrew Trumbetti (Jr.)

98

8

Devin Studstill (Fr.)

14 Avery Sebastian (6th)

9 Daelin Hayes (Fr.)

Daniel Cage (Jr.)

75

94 Jarron Jones (Gr.)

Jerry Tillery (So.)

99

MLB

5

Nyles Morgan (Jr.)

48 Greer Martini (Jr.)

58 Kendall Moore (Sr.)

Isaac Rochell (Sr.)

90

S

55 Jonathan Bonner (Jr.)

SAM CB

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

36

17

James Onwualu (Sr.)

23

Drue Tranquill (Jr.)

21 Jalen Elliott (Fr.)

44 Jamir Jones (Fr.)

Cole Luke (Sr.)

27 Julian Love (Fr.)

Equanimeous St. Brown (So.)

6

81 Miles Boykin (So.)

C.J. Sanders (So.)

3

15 Corey Holmes (Fr.)

Alex Bars (Jr.)

71

78 Tommy Kraemer (Fr.)

Colin McGovern (Sr.)

62

66 Tristen Hoge (So.)

53

Sam Mustipher (Jr.)

75 Mark Harrell (Gr.)

RB QB

25

Tarean Folston (Sr.)

33 Josh Adams (So.)

14

DeShone Kizer (Jr.)

8 Malik Zaire (Sr.)

Quenton Nelson (Jr.)

56

Mike McGlinchey (Sr.)

70 Hunter Bivin (Sr.)

80

Durham Smythe (Sr.)

82 Nic Weishar (Jr.)

16

Torii Hunter Jr. (Sr.)

29 Kevin Stepherson (Fr.)

Tyler Newsome (Jr.) 19

85

Justin Yoon (So.)

3

C.J. Sanders (So.)

2 Dexter Williams (So.)

Scott Daly (Gr.) 54

61

John Shannon (Fr.)

IRISH PASSING

IRISH OFFENSIVE COACHING

Though the number of yards may not show it, the Irish had a successful day passing against Nevada. DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire threw for a combined 205 yards, and Kizer completed 15 out of his 18 passes, including two touchdowns and one interception. Sophomore receiver Equanimeous St. Brown continues to emerge as a standout target for Kizer, hauling in six receptions for 85 yards Saturday, and with Torii Hunter Jr. returning from a concussion, the Irish receiving corps has depth and will continue to improve as it gains experience.

Michigan State has historically been a good school for defensive backs, including recent standouts Darqueze Dennard and Trenton Robinson. The Spartans are one of the few teams known for an aggressive press coverage that has the potential to give Notre Dame fits. Last season, the Spartans allowed 234 yards per game through the air. Two weeks ago, the Spartans held Furman to just 139 yards passing.

The biggest difference between the two offenses is the play at quarterback.

DeShone Kizer is a Heisman candidate and the speed the Irish have at reciever wil be miles ahead of what Michigan State saw versus Furman.

With DeShone Kizer taking snaps, Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford have hit on something that works. Look for Kelly to put the ball in Kizer’s hands in big situations. Kelly also seems to have Michigan State’s number, winning four of the last five games against Michigan State, with the last loss coming by way of a fake field goal in overtime back in 2010.

Defensively, Michigan State’s continuity is a strong suit. Spartan co-defensive coordinators Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel have been with Dantonio since his arrival in East Lansing in 2007 and in fact, coached under Dantonio when he was with Cincinnati from 2004-2006. The Michigan State staff has a wealth of experience and it will be up to the Irish to out-execute the Spartans since they won’t confuse them.

EDGE: NOTRE DAME IRISH RUSHING

57 Trevor Ruhland (So.)

68

PK H P PR

19

Justin Yoon (So.)

85 Tyler Newsome (Jr.)

4

Montgomery VanGorder (Jr.)

14 DeShone Kizer (Jr.)

85

Tyler Newsome (Jr.)

42 Jeff Riney (So.)

3

C.J. Sanders (So.)

27 Chris Finke (So.)

Notre Dame vs. Temple

Renee Griffin

Associate Sports Editor

Sports Writer

After watching Notre Dame’s performance in its first two games, I don’t feel currently confident in its odds against most of the top-25 teams in the country.

But Michigan State is one of those few teams that I think the Irish match up well with.

With new quarterback Tyler O’Connor, the Spartan passing game doesn’t strike fear in me. That’s not to say the Spartans haven’t proven they can win with him under center — they have — but I think it bodes well for a developing Irish secondary.

This game will be won in the trenches. And two things Notre Dame has done well thus far are protect the quarterback and run the football. I expect the Irish to do both just well enough to come out on top Saturday.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 24, Michigan State 20

While Michigan State may be the team more traditionally associated with the running game, Notre Dame is no slouch in this department. The Irish are averaging 222.5 rushing yards per game so far this season behind a strong offensive line and the backfield of Tarean Folston and Josh Adams. Adams was especially effective against Nevada, accumulating 106 yards on only 10 carries.

The Spartans possess a strong run defense, having allowed Furman only 87 yards on 33 carries. The Spartans also had three players with eight tackles or more against the Paladins, with junior linebacker Chris Frey leading the way with nine. Last season, the Spartans gave up 3.6 yards per rush and 116 yards per game.

EDGE: NOTRE DAME

Ben Padanilam

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Not much has been proven about either Notre Dame or Michigan State so far this season. The Irish of the first half against Texas would have no chance against the Spartans, but the team that showed up for the second half against the Longhorns and for the last three quarters of the game against Nevada would fare much better.

Michigan State’s 28-13 win over Furman, meanwhile, hardly confirms their claim to the No. 12 spot in the AP poll. If the Irish do just enough on defense to limit the Spartans, and the offensive line opens holes for the Notre Dame running backs like it did last week, the home team will come away with the big win.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 21, Michigan State 20

EDGE: NOTRE DAME IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS The Irish continue to struggle with consistency on special teams. Punter Tyler Newsome has not been fantastic, averaging 44.8 yards per punt against Nevada, but only 38.3 versus Texas. A smooth day for special teams was also marred by a missed extrapoint on Saturday by Justin Yoon, although the hold on the play was subpar.

On the bright side for the Irish, sophomore C.J. Sanders has boosted the Irish return game, averaging 37 yards per kick return in the Nevada game.

Michigan State’s special teams can also make an impact. Most visibly, the Spartans blocked a punt in the final seconds of a game versus Michigan and returned that ball for the game-winning touchdown.

EDGE: EVEN IRISH SCHEDULE (1-1) Sept. 4 @ Texas (50-47 L, 2OT) Sept. 10 Nevada (39-10 W) Sept. 17 Michigan State Sept. 24 Duke Oct. 1 vs. Syracuse Oct. 8 @ NC State Oct. 15 Stanford Oct. 29 Miami Nov. 5 vs. Navy Nov. 12 vs. Army Nov. 19 Virginia Tech Nov. 26 @ USC

Follow Observer Sports on Twitter for live updates and analysis during the game this weekend and all season long. @ObserverSports

8

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The observer | FRIDAY, September 16, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

Line readies for powerful rushing attack

By RENEE GRIFFIN Sports Writer

If there’s a single word Irish players and coaches have repeatedly used to describe No. 12 Michigan State in the week leading up to Saturday’s game, it’s “physical.”

That’s especially true of the Spartan offensive line, which will meet a Notre Dame defensive front that allowed 237 yards on the ground in the double-overtime loss to Texas in Week One, then 99 rushing yards to a weaker Nevada squad last Saturday.

Michigan State’s run-first offense put up 171 rushing yards, including 105 from sophomore back L.J. Scott, in its only contest of the season so far, a 28-13 win against FCS opponent Furman. Perhaps more importantly, the Spartans averaged more than 150 rushing yards per game en route to a 12-2 record last year.

“They’re a running team, and their offensive line is known for their physicality,” Notre Dame junior lineman Daniel Cage said. “Up front, we gotta make sure we get off the ball, be just as physical back. It starts up front with the D-linemen. We set the tone.”

The line is led by senior captain and end Isaac Rochell, who has 14 total tackles and is striving to replace the leadership role held by class of 2015 alumnus Sheldon Day. The top players surrounding Rochell are sophomore defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, graduate student nose tackle Jarron Jones, junior end Andrew Trumbetti and Cage, who Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said had the best game of his college career against the Wolf Pack.

Part of Cage’s recent growth has been due to altering the management of his sleep apnea, a disease in which a person’s breathing starts and stops while asleep.

“He had a sleep pattern problem, which is allowing him to gain the rest,” Kelly said. “Then it’s a trickle down from there. He’s getting the right nutrition, which is giving him an opportunity to train better at a higher level.”

Cage said he’s looking forward to the physicality of the Spartans despite some nerves.

“I love games like this, really,” he said. “Just to show how tough I really am, and the other team, and our team as a whole, it really sets the standard of how things like this should go and it’s gonna set us on the right track.

“It’s gonna be a little nervewracking for me, but right now I’m just focusing on my technique and focusing on the game plan.”

Health has also been a

factor in the performance of the veteran Jones, who missed all of 2015 with a torn MCL. “I think Jarron is feeling more comfortable coming back from an injury,” Kelly said. “He’s certainly understanding leverage and understanding what he needs to do to continue to get more work for us and him, and Daniel had two really good games and we’re going to need it.

“Obviously, playing teams like Michigan State and Stanford and teams that are going to really pound the football, we’re going to need more of that than we got from them this past weekend.”

Jones hauled in an interception off a Nevada screen pass deep in opposing territory last week, which led to an Irish touchdown a few plays later. He said after the game that the defense’s performance against the Wolf Pack was heartening after the squad gave up 50 points to the Longhorns.

“It picked up our confidence a lot, just being able to go out and execute,” Jones said. “It showed us that we do have the ability to make plays. Just having this win under our belt is huge, especially going into a game like Michigan State.”

Tillery, meanwhile, is second on the line behind Rochell with six overall tackles. He said the line is prepared for the unique ground game challenge that the Spartans will bring to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night.

“They run the ball in a lot of different, creative ways, and it’s our job on the D-line to stop it,” Tillery said. “What [coaches have] been preaching all week is that we have to come ready to play and we have to fire off the ball and do what we do best.

“We’re really confident in our game plan, we’ve got some good stuff for ‘em. It’ll be fun.”

While the running game will be the at the forefront of Michigan State’s offensive game plan, the pressure is also on for the Notre Dame defensive line to get to Spartan senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor, who has seen action in 15 games over his five-year career. The Irish are one of just five teams in the FBS to have zero sacks through two weeks of play.

Tillery said he and the rest of the linemen were more than ready to end that slump.

“Trust me, we know,” Tillery said. “We know about it. It’s something that’s kind of a chip on our shoulder.

“When we get one, it’ll be a big party on the field.”

Contact Renee Griffin at rgriffi6@nd.edu

GRACE TOURVILLE | The Observer

A gaggle of Notre Dame players celebrate an interception by senior defensive lineman Jarron Jones, center, in the second quarter of last weekend’s 39-10 victory over Nevada at Notre Dame Stadium.

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9

Irish toughen up for football the Spartan way

By ZACH KLONSINSKI Assistant Managing Editor

It’s a familiar refrain when Notre Dame lines up against Michigan State. “[Michigan State head coach] Mark Dantonio’s teams, obviously a hallmark of their teams, are physical,” Brian Kelly said.

“You have to play physical football,” Kelly added to his description of Michigan State football. “They’re a physical team.

They’ve got a mindset of the way they want to play. They’re going to run the football. They’re going to be physical on defense.”

Forgive anyone who didn’t realize that first quote is from Kelly’s preview press conference before the two teams’ 2013 matchup while the other was from Tuesday’s preview for this weekend’s showdown between No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1) and No. 12 Michigan State (1-0).

The tone is the same.

Even before Dantonio took over the Spartans in 2007, the Spartans have fielded a reputation as one of the most physical teams in the country year in and year out. This formula has led to success on the field recently, including an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season and a 13-1 2013 campaign that ended in a Rose Bowl victory and a No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll.

The Spartans’ only loss that season? That game at Notre

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Senior linebacker and team captain James Onwualu finishes tackling Nevada sophomore receiver Ahki Mohammad in the backfield during Notre Dame’s victory over the Wolf Pack last weekend. Onwualu finished the game with five tackles, tied for most on the team.

Dame Stadium in 2013, an ugly, gutsy 17-13 Irish victory.

Senior linebacker James Onwualu is one of just six players on the Notre Dame roster who played in that game, appearing on special teams, but Wednesday he said that game left its mark, in more ways than one. “[Physicality is] part of their culture at that university and within their team,” Onwualu said. “ … I remember their Paid Advertisement

special teams being pretty tough.

I mean their guys, a lot of teams show up and you can tell how the game’s going to go by and how their special teams played. So on the first kickoff, are they coming to knock my head off or are they trying to block me and see what happens? Michigan State is the kind of team that will play every single snap on special teams.

“So I remember coming out of that game a little banged up.

Felt physically tired and a lot of times playing special teams, that doesn’t happen.”

Preparing for a team like Michigan State brings about an added intensity to practices, Onwualu said.

“You’ve got to practice tough all week long, so that when Saturday comes along, you’re not just trying to flick the switch on,” Onwualu said. “You’ve already been practicing like that every week.”

Part of the Spartans’ in-yourface mentality is their pride in playing press coverage on receivers, allowing them to stack the box against the run game.

This will put pressure on Notre Dame’s receivers to take advantage of the man opportunities, senior receiver Torii Hunter Jr. said.

“The emphasis is just to make plays because we’re going to have to make plays on the other side,” Hunter said. “Because they’re going to try to stop the run and they’re going to try to get an extra man in the box at all times.

They’ve got some pretty hard safeties.”

Hunter said he is “fairly confident” he’ll play Saturday after missing last weekend’s game against Nevada while recovering from the concussion he suffered in the third quarter against Texas. Hunter said he passed all the concussion protocol tests Sunday and participated in noncontact drills Tuesday.

Hunter’s return will provide a boost of experience at the receiver position for the Irish, but junior quarterback DeShone Kizer said he believes the rest of the young Irish receiving corps is more than capable of handling the pressure.

“Those guys are out on the island,” Kizer said. “We have an opportunity with receivers that we recruit to kind of expose that island. They’re not getting a lot of inside help from linebackers who are box-folding guys and safeties

who want to play low. “ … I believe we have the talent all the way across the board to attack that one-on-one coverage when we need to.”

Kizer added he’s familiar with the Michigan State brand of football growing up in northern Ohio, just an hour and 45 minutes from East Lansing, Michigan.

“The perception I have being a Midwest guy is these are two powerhouse teams in the Midwest who are going to play inside the tackles and play you tough,” Kizer said. “ … I was able to learn that they’re a team who is going to be who they are and be that well. I’ve been watching their corners play man coverage since I think I’ve watched football. I’ve been watching their front line be big, strong guys since I’ve watched football.

“And that’s exactly who they are today.”

Kelly said it’s this identity that makes playing the Spartans such a tough task.

“You’re getting an aggressive defensive front seven,” Kelly said. “They’re blanketing you in the back end of the defense and they’re forcing you into mistakes.

“Then, offensively, they’re very methodical. They’re extremely methodical. They’re going to run the football, take their shots. A four-yard completion in a passing game is just fine with them because it puts them in a very good situation to continue to run the football and stay controlled with the chains.”

Kelly also admitted he had a tough competitor across the field in Dantonio, even if Kelly said he would have the advantage in a heavyweight bout. “[Dantonio] is not that tough.

He’s only about 190 pounds, so I don’t have much of a challenge with him,” Kelly said. “But [his] team is a challenge.”

Contact Zach Klonsinski at zklonsin@nd.edu

10

INSidER

The observer | FRIDAY, September 16, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com

commentary

ND, MSU an old-fashioned gridiron rivalry Alex Carson Assistant Managing Editor

Just a look at the final score tells you it’s from a bygone era. So might the fact that the Irish made the journey to East Lansing, Michigan, via train, or perhaps that the game wasn’t televised live nationally — despite being between the two top-ranked teams in college football.

It finished No. 1 Notre Dame 10, No. 2 Michigan State 10.

The 1966 “Game of the Century” was one for the ages, and a game that, ever since its conclusion, has lived on as one of college football’s greatest and most impactful games.

A quick aside before we go further. I’m not going to devote 500 words to defending then-Irish head coach Ara Parseghian’s decision to run out the clock, rather than go for the win, because it’s clear it was the right call. The next week, Notre Dame throttled No. 10 USC, finished 9-0-1 and won the national championship. That’s the whole goal, right?

But that game was everything a college football fan could’ve wanted. The two top teams in the land, playing a rivalry game, going headto-head for a national title, effectively. The Irish, down a starting quarterback and running back by the end of the first quarter, rallying from 10-0 down to tie the game. And, of course, a coaching decision from Parseghian that would’ve made Skip Bayless’ head roll Monday morning on cable television.

We won’t get anything like the 1966 showdown Saturday, but this week’s matchup between the two programs, 50 years on from that great game, provides a great opportunity.

An opportunity to reflect on that game, to look at the state of the programs and, perhaps above all else, to remind ourselves of how great this series has been over the years.

It might not end up being the case this year, but one season ago, the Spartans and Irish

and this year, that opportunity might present itself with the Spartans. If the Cardinal and Michigan State win their leagues and Notre Dame wins out, the Irish are in the playoff.

End of discussion.

What head coach Mark Dantonio has done at Michigan State is nothing short of remarkable. In 2013, he led Michigan State to within one game of the BCS National Championship — that game?

A loss at Notre Dame, of course — and last year, he took his program into the playoff out of a division with Michigan and Ohio State.

You know what you’re going to get with the Spartans: a good, physical, old-fashioned football team. Quite fitting, right?

But when it’s all set and

were both in the thick of things for the playoff race. Ahead of Notre Dame’s trip to Stanford last year, Irish fans were involved in a politicking battle with State fans over which team had the better resume for inclusion in that year’s College Football Playoff. And while it ultimately proved irrelevant thanks to Notre Dame’s loss Thanksgiving weekend at Stanford, wouldn’t it have been a little annoying if one school missed out on the playoff because the series was on a short hiatus?

For Notre Dame to make the playoff in any given year, it must assert itself as being better than two major conference champions. The Irish will likely have that opportunity regularly with Stanford, a perennial power in the Pac-12,

done, with Campus Crossroads construction and reminders of the school’s membership in the ACC around, perhaps this weekend will offer a glimpse back in time. To an era where Notre Dame’s local rivalries with the Spartans, Purdue and, yes, Michigan flourished.

While perhaps hatred has never been the theme of this specific game, we’ve seen some great moments, from Golden Tate jumping into the Spartan band in 2009 or the fake field goal State won to win in overtime the next season.

After Notre Dame makes that 150-mile trip to Spartan Stadium next season, it’ll be another six until a 2023 neutral-site game reunites the once-annual rivals. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of conference realignment that’s

happening all around the country — not just at Notre Dame — and one that forces us to pause a bit when those rivalries are able to take place.

Fifty years ago, in the thirdever edition of The Observer, Ara Parseghian had the following to say about the Spartans: “Michigan State is a fine opponent year after year, and we are fortunate to enjoy such a series.”

It’ll be an old-fashioned college football Saturday this week in South Bend. A half century on from the “Game of the Century,” to echo Parseghian, we’ll be “fortunate” to enjoy it.

Contact Alex Carson at acarson1@nd.edu The opinions in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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CAITLYN JORDAN | The Observer

Irish sophomore receiver Chris Finke can’t quite haul in a pass during Notre Dame’s win over Nevada last weekend at Notre Dame Stadium.

CAROLINE GENCO | The Observer

Irish senior running back Tarean Folston scores on an option play late in the second quarter against Nevada. Folston’s score put the Irish up 25-0 going into halftime.

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Irish junior quarterback DeShone Kizer waits for a snap. Kizer finished 15-for-18 for 156 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Irish freshman receiver Chase Claypool tackles Nevada sophomore punt returner Andrew Celis. Claypool made two tackles on special teams while also hauling in a recpetion.

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Irish linebackers sophomore Te’von Coney, 4, and junior Nyles Morgan, 5, show blitz while Nevada senior quarterback Tyler Stewart waits for the snap last weekend.

EMMET FARNAN | The Observer

Irish sophomore receiver C.J. Sanders weaves his way through traffic after making a reception against the Wolf Pack. Sanders made five catches for 46 yards and a score.