Michigan State-Notre Dame Post-Game Notes
9/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
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MICHIGAN STATE vs. NOTRE DAME
NOTRE DAME STADIUM
September 22, 2001
ATTENDANCE - 80,795 (sellout). It was the largest crowd in Notre Dame Stadium history.
THE STREAK BREAKERS - With the 17-10 victory, Michigan State notched its fifth consecutive win in the series, becoming the first Notre Dame opponent since USC (1979-82) to take five in a row from the Irish. There is one major difference between MSU's and USC's winning streaks against the Irish. Three of USC's wins came at home in the LA Coliseum.
Notre Dame has not beaten Michigan State since a 21-20 victory in East Lansing on Sept. 18, 1993.
SERIES - Notre Dames leads the all-time series, 41-23-1. However, MSU has now won five straight. The 23 wins by the Spartans in the series tie with Purdue for the second most wins ever by a Notre Dame opponent.
In addition, MSU won its third consecutive games at Notre Dame Stadium, matching its best effort from 1956, '60 and '62. Purdue is the only other school to win at least three in a row at Notre Dame.
HARKER UPDATE - Junior left guard Paul Harker, who suffered a seizure late in the fourth quarter, is resting comfortably at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend. Harker, who left the field in an ambulance as the Spartan players kneeled in prayer, is being held overnight for observation. He is listed in stable condition. MSU team physician Randy Pearson expects Harker to be released from the hospital on Sunday.
LABINJO TURNS IN DAY OF FIRSTS - Sophomore linebacker Mike Labinjo turned in a day of firsts at Notre Dame. He recorded his first career sack late in the first half and also recovered a fumble. He finished the day with five tackles, including three for losses.
Labinjo's play of the day came late in the fourth quarter. Labinjo tackled Notre Dame's Nicholas Setta on a fake field goal attempt.
BAKER MOVING ON UP - Senior tight end Chris Baker caught his 11th career touchdown pass from Ryan Van Dyke in the second quarter. With the touchdown catch, he moved into sole possession of 12th place on MSU's career touchdown receptions chart.
Baker also made his 37th consecutive start at tight end at Notre Dame and has now caught a pass in 14 straight games.
SPARTAN AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE IRISH - Sophomore split end Charles Rogers first career touchdown will be something for the record books. Rogers caught a pass from Ryan Van Dyke for the 47-yard game-winning score. It marked the four-straight year that Spartans have converted a long pass for a touchdown against the Irish.
In 2000, freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker connected with Herb Haygood for the 68-yard game-winning touchdown. MSU defeated Notre Dame, 27-21.
In 1999, quarterback Bill Burke connected with Gari Scott for an 80-yard touchdown in MSU's 23-13 win.
In 1998, Bill Burke and Plaxico Burress connected for an 86-yard strike. The 86-yard touchdown ranks as the fourth-longest pass play in school history.
UPSET SPECIALS - MSU is 10-5 in its last 15 games against ranked opponents, dating back to its 1998 victory over the Irish.
SPARTAN QUICK HITS - Senior quarterback Ryan Van Dyke rushed for a career-long 19 yards in the second quarter for a first down. Van Dyke's previous best was a 10-yard run.
Van Dyke finished the day 9-for-15 with 149 yards passing and two touchdowns. It marked the second straight game and the fourth time in his career that he has thrown two TD passes in a game.
Craig Jarrett has moved into fifth place on MSU's career punt list. Jarrett, who punted nine times for a 49.8 average, now has 199 career punts. Jarrett surpassed Bill Simpson (1971-73), who recorded 196 punts during his career.
Michigan State ends Notre Dame's four game home winning streak as well as their own four game road losing streak.
Today's Spartan victory was Michigan State's third road victory against a ranked opponent since 1990, including their last visit to Notre Dame in 1999 and their upset of then #1 ranked Ohio State in 1998.
Michigan State improves to 10-3 all-time in games being nationally broadcast by NBC.
This is the third time Notre Dame has lost back-to-back home openers. It also happened in 1962-1963 (Purdue and Wisconsin) and 1994-1995 (Michigan and Northwestern).
Michigan State now accounts for three of Coach Davie's six career home losses, and all three of his home losses by more than a field goal.
