ND-MSU: End First

By Michael Rothstein

The Journal Gazette

Interesting first quarter here in East Lansing. Fast moving and a bunch more Michigan State passes than I expected. Here, though, is what you know now.

Golden Tate is Notre Dame's best offensive player. He ran a beautiful reverse for 24 yards and then made a nice 30-yard catch over a defender. If Notre Dame is going to win, it needs to get him the ball.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame's defensive line is struggling. Javon Ringer has 28 yards on six carries, but made it into the second and third tier almost every time he touched the ball. Conversely, the Irish can't run at all. Take away Tate's reverse and Notre Dame has 14 yards on 9 carries. Michigan State has six tackles for loss.

Yikes.

Also, the Notre Dame offensive line allowed its first sack of the year with 1:21 left when MSU defensive end Brandon Long stunted inside from his defensive end position and ran straight at Jimmy Clausen, bringing him down.

Clausen is 3 of 7 for an interception.

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The Journal Gazette's Assistant Sports Editor Tony Krausz covers The University of Notre Dame. Krausz, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a native of St. Louis, has been assistant sports editor since October 2005. Prior to joining the JG, he worked at two papers in Mississippi covering high school and college athletics.