Michigan State 23, Notre Dame 7
9/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio
Opening Statement ...
It was a great team win - an outstanding team win. First of all, Notre Dame is an improved football team, a much-improved football team, and they're playing with a lot of toughness and effort, and I thought [sophomore quarterback Jimmy] Clausen did an outstanding job. In regards to the Spartans, we said we needed to play inspired football coming into this game. We did not think that we had as of yet, though we played hard. But it was electric on the sidelines, and that's what it needed to be - electric on the sidelines. Coming into the game, we felt it obviously important in order to win, we would have to protect our quarterback and run the football, affect theirs and stop the run, come up with some plus-turnovers and play well on special teams, and that's exactly what we did. I can't say enough about our football team and our players - just a great deal of excitement in the locker room for each other. That's what it'll take, and that's how we continue to get better. Otis Wiley obviously had an outstanding game with two interceptions, and they were big turnovers,[Ross] Weaver had a forced fumble, and obviously Javon Ringer had an outstanding game. We blocked very well at the point of attack. The thing that was impressive to me was toward the end of the game when we had to run the football because of the score or because of the situation, we were able to run the football. If you can do that when they're throwing everything at you, you've done a great job up front. I can't say enough about our offensive line, our play calling I thought was very good, and again just a great team win. We're happy not just for our football team, but for everybody at Michigan State and Spartan Nation. I know they live for this game, and we live for this game because it's important to so many people in terms of the tradition here going all the way back to 1966, and the great games that have been here at Michigan State and at Notre Dame. Glad we won a home one, so we'll go from there.
On the team's style of play ...
I've always said that sometimes it's not pretty, but the game has to be played with a lot of toughness up front. At some point in time, you're going to have to be able to run the football. If we couldn't run the ball, it would have been an issue when it was 16-7. You want to feature your best player, and right now our best player is our tailback. He's going to get touches, so that means running the ball or throwing it to him or doing something like that. It does mean something to me, because I think it's a statement. It's a statement you make to your players, when they come here as recruits and when they come here as players. This program, from day one, we said as a staff, would be built on toughness. That means mental and physical toughness, and that's what we were able to do today.
On Ringer constantly improving ...
He grew up in Ohio in Dayton, and I saw him as a high school senior. I knew him as a senior a little bit and I knew his coach, and then when I got here I saw what he was able to do in the spring just in terms of his intensity in workouts. He's a total team player - it's not about him, and you can't say enough about him as a person aside from his athletic abilities. But it's the person in him, it's the intangibles within him that make him the back that he is. There are other guys who are just as explosive and just as fast, but it's the things inside of him that make him special.
On winning two straight against Notre Dame ...
I think that's (losing to Notre Dame in 2006) something that we always need to remember. Not just because it's Notre Dame, but because of the timing of it and what it led to. So that's something you always have to look back at, and hopefully remember that time, because you're only as good as your last game. We want to take the parts of our program where we didn't succeed and build on those and remember those times. If you don't, then you're destined for bad things to happen.
Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis
On Javon Ringer ...
What happens is that they can give him the ball 39 times in a game - and you can hit him and hit him and hit him and he just keeps on coming. I think that I learned a long time ago that one attribute that great players have is stamina and he obviously has great stamina.
On the positives that came from the loss ...
The defense held them to ten in the first half and I think that they really kept us in the game. At the end of the day, they put us in a position where we had a chance to compete to win the game. Our offense came out in the first half trying to win the line of scrimmage and that wasn't taking place. So as we went through the first half, and we started to make adjustments on the mentality we had established during the beginning of the game and told the players that if they chose to keep playing like this, we had no chance to win the game.
On the Michigan State defense ...
They were winning the line of scrimmage. It wasn't like some exotic defense they were playing. It still comes down to winning the line of scrimmage and our defense held up well at the line of scrimmage but I think that their defensive line got the best of our offense. It wasn't just our offensive line, it was our offense. I think they got the best of us.
On the Notre Dame running game ...
When you play against a team that tries to beat you with seven guys, it takes seven to block seven. We weren't getting mismatched. A lot of times in the run game you get scared to run because you are getting outnumbered and that wasn't the case in this game. We weren't getting outnumbered. They were getting the best of us.
On Jimmy Clausen's performance ...
Jimmy, with how things had gone in the first half, could have come out and gone flat in the second half but he certainly didn't. He really stepped up and picked up his game.
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Don Treadwell
Opening Statement ...
It's a big win for the program, certainly it all starts at the top - Coach Dantonio just does a great job number one getting us ready as coaches, and certainly that trickles on down to the young men that play for the green and white. We're certainly proud of the young men. Certainly going into the game, obviously the focus has always been to continue to utilize Javon Ringer. A couple of things that you saw probably as we went through the course of the game was that we did try to mix it up a little more, say maybe than you saw the last two games. At times, we'd rather be doing play-action, or protecting a little bit to try to push the ball. Brian Hoyer we thought responded very well. There were some passes that were possibly dropped early on, or whatever the stats were - they probably would have been better. I also thought there were some key throws that he needed to make at crucial times, and he made those, so we're very proud of him. We knew they would line up and try and stop Javon, and our hat is off to the offensive line obviously. Those guys were just determined. Coach Roushar and Coach Staten do a great job preparing those guys, and I think the backs were anxious to run the ball.
On Ringer becoming an offensive leader ...
That's not a surprise. He is as humble as they come, he's a tremendous leader. It's not a game-day thing, he does that every day in practice. Every position, we point to him on practice tape and go, 'now, that's how we want to finish, that's how we want to perform every day in practice, so therefore by game time, it's no surprise why he has the success that he has. He's a tremendous leader.
On Ringer's workload ...
He reminds me a little bit of Tony Dorsett back in the day when he was at Pitt. If you remember that, Tony just kept getting stronger and stronger, then all of a sudden he'd break a tackle late in the fourth quarter. So that's just one of the analogies I'll give you for Javon at this point in time.
Michigan State Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
Opening Statement ...
First of all, put my vote in for Javon Ringer for the Heisman Trophy. I think that needs to start getting picked up a little bit, because that guy's a machine - it's just amazing what he does out there. He does a tremendous job. Defensively, I wasn't very excited about last week's performance in that slop, but I can truly say our kids came to play, they played with an attitude, and I'm really excited about what those kids did today. Give those kids all the credit, they made the plays out there, they played their tails off, and it's a game of emotion, we tell the kids all the time, and they just played with emotion for 60 minutes. We talked about it at the half, they had a goose-egg at halftime, and we said there's 30 more minutes to go, and the kids went out and played hard. I thought one of the huge things was that we always talk about making a team one-dimensional, and they came out and tried to establish a run game against us early in the game and in the second half, there were probably three or four rushes on draws on third down and 12 and I could care less if they gained 11, to be honest with you. Our kids did a great job, they made them one-dimensional, made them have to throw it every time, and if you're an offense and you have to throw it every time, then you're in trouble.
On the type of defense the team played ...
We brought a little bit more pressure today, and we played a little base-two, I felt comfortable playing in base, we did brought some different things and confused them early, which was our intention. We did some different looks up front, and we had them on the chalkboard for the first quarter for sure.
On creating turnovers ...
The turnovers were great, (sophomore cornerback) Chris L. Rucker blitzed a couple times, Otis Wiley had a great one in the end zone, I think one was on a pressure, and the other was on base defense, but Otis Wiley comes up with two, and we had a fumble recovery. We needed to get those guys - they were penetrating the red zone, and we were making plays when we needed to.
Michigan State Senior Running Back Javon Ringer
Opening statement ...
I can do nothing without these guys carrying the weight for me (referring to offensive line). It was a great team win. We were very, very dominant up front on both sides of the ball. We were able to win because of [the offensive line]. We didn't win because of me, of [Brian] Hoyer, or our receivers - it was the guys up front. You should be interviewing them instead of me.
On what this win means ...
This win means a lot. It is very important to our season. With the new coaching staff and how we started last year, it's very important for us have this win to have success the rest of the year. I thank God, he showed us favor today. We were able to produce and show what type of team we are.
On how his body feels ...
My ankle is fine. My body, on a scale of one to 10, I would probably give it about an eight. My guys did great, I really wasn't taking too much punishment so all credit goes to the offensive line. So far, I feel pretty good.
On his 63-yard run ...
I wasn't thinking that run would end the game. As soon as the hole opened up I just wanted to make sure I stayed in bounds and hung on to the ball. I just kept moving my legs and trying to get everything out of them that I could. I wanted to stay in bounds so the clock would keep running.
On Notre Dame trying to stop the run ...
That is a challenge that we look forward to handling every week. We knew one of their main goals was going to be to try and stop our running game and that in order for us to win, we had to be dominant up front. That's a challenge that we've gone through every single week and will go through for the rest of the season in the Big Ten.
On the fumble ...
I hate fumbling. That's not something I do. I was really down on myself for a while because I felt like I hurt the team. I wanted to make sure I could keep producing and somehow redeem myself. Thank God for our defense, they played tremendous and they really didn't capitalize off of the turnover, so the credit goes to them for, basically, bailing me out.
On wearing teams out with the running game ...
Yes, I feel like we're capabile of doing it every week and it's something we'll have to do every week in order to win this year. Each game, in order for us to be successful, we have to win up front. The line is the most important part of our offense.
Michigan State Senior Strong Safety Otis Wiley
On taking advantage of Clausen's mistakes and his interception in the endzone ...
I don't know if they were bad balls or not. I think the first one was a great pass. Their receiver made a great play on the ball to try and catch it and I ended up ripping it from him. I read it and grabbed it. Thank God I caught the ball, it was a momentum-changer and set up a touchdown for the team.
On the difference in the defense from Cal game to today ...
As a defense, we just know that we have to stop the run. Once they stop the run, we know they are going to pass the ball. It helps us out to know that the line will stop the run before we get to the ball. The linebackers and front seven played a great game today.
On Javon Ringer ...
We want to get the ball back, get a three and out or get a turnover and get it right back to him. When he has the ball, he makes plays and gets about three or four yards every time he touches it. We know the offense is going to give it all they've got and they showed it.
On the emotion of the rivalry affecting the team's emotion ...
We thought about 2006 and how they stole the game from us and how they won the last three times in our house. Our motivation was that we were playing for the former Spartans that wish they could have come back and played. That motivation helped us and we had to keep the emotion up the entire game because we know Notre Dame never quits and they can come back anytime.
Michigan State Senior Defensive Tackle Justin Kershaw
On Notre Dame abandoning the run ...
It made them one-dimensional. Whenever you eliminate a team's running game, it's discouraging for them. So, we've just got to keep that up the entire season.
On the emotion factor ...
I think in any sport, especially football, emotion is one of the most important things. We told the team that we have to play with emotion to win this game. We played hard, we played well in the first three games but we really didn't have a lot of emotion. You could feel it today on the sidelines, in the locker room, and you could feel it last night so that was really important.
Michigan State Junior Free Safety Danny Fortener
On his pass break up in the first half at the five-yard line ...
I had two guys coming vertical at me and I was looking at Clausen and I saw him pump to the inside guy and I came under. After the play, Otis said he was going to pick it, so, I got my PBU (pass break up) and Otis got his interception.
Michigan State Junior Linebacker Adam Decker
On the team's progress up to this point in the season ...
Over the last few weeks I think we have really come into our own. With the shutout last game, I think that really gave us a lot of confidence and show us how well we can play and it has carried over into practices and into today's game. We didn't really think about getting a shut out in this game, but we did notice that it was possible at one point. Although that didn't happen it still made us play even harder and I know our intensity will only continue to get stronger as we go into the beginning of Big Ten play and continue to get better.
On the importance of winning this game ...
You know every win is important, but with this one it's one of the games that everyone circles on their calendar. There's no doubt it that this was a big game and a big win for us considering our past playing against Notre Dame. Seeing all the our fans, students and all the past players that came to the game really puts that into perspective and makes it even more of an emotional game for us. Hopefully now we can put some of the past losses to rest, and everyone can forget about them and it's just another step me are taking moving this program to where we want it to go.
On what's next for the team in the coming up weeks ...
Well this win does feel good, but it doesn't stop here. We have to keep getting better because our competition is only going to keep getting better. We are entering Big Ten play now and these games are even more important. We have to keep coming to practice and improving everyday and doing what we are doing to make sure every game we are getting better. We have to continue playing with aggressiveness and leave everything we have on the field and just doing what we know how to do. Today was a redemption game and now we have to be ready for what's next on our schedule.
Michigan State Sophomore Linebacker Eric Gordon
On the team's "Jacked Up Hit Award ..."
The coaches go through the film and pick three or four of the best hits from the games. Everyone goes to watch it at our hotel, and it's just something that is inspirational for everyone. It really everyone ready and wanting to go out and make that big hit so you can say you won the award. It has become a tradition around here and it's something that as a team, we think is important and kind of gets us going a little bit more.
On the increase of physical play in today's game ...
I think both we and Notre Dame played a very physical game today, but I think we were the ones that play altogether more physical. Norte Dame has some very big guys, so we knew coming into the game it was going to be a more physical one than our others have been. We were ready, though, and gave it right back to them, which I think was one thing that helped us come out with a win tonight. We have to take that mentality into these next games, and continue to practice and play how we did tonight.
On Javon Ringer's play ...
You know it's funny, when we are getting talked to by the coaches it's hard to not to look up at the big screen and watch what Javon is doing out there. The coaches will be writing on the board and trying to tell us what's up, but we are always trying to peak and see him out there. He is an amazing player and he had another great game here tonight. That also serves as motivation for me and everyone else on the team when we see him out there doing what he does not only in the games, but everyday in practice too. I know he will continue to keep that up, and as a team we will do what we can to continue to get better.
Michigan State Sophomore Linebacker Greg Jones
On Michigan State's team defense ...
I think we are really coming together as a defense and proving ourselves as a team. Norte Dame put a lot of pressure on us today offensively and I think our defense did a great job in almost every aspect. Everyone is communicating well and it shows out there on the field. Everyone for us also brought great pressure defensively and that was one of the key things we needed to do in order to get the win. I think we showed improvement today, but we have to keep working because it only gets harder from here.
On the improvement in his own play ...
I think I am playing a little better, but I know I can play even better. In the past, I have been thinking a little bit too much out there and right now I am just really trying to let lose and play like I know I can. I feel like I have a lot more room to improve and we are just getting started here so I know as long as I keep practicing and playing hard I can play better than I am now. Or competition is only going to get better, so I have to do the same thing and prove to everyone and myself that I can play better than I am now.
On what's next for the team ...
You know, this was a big win for us here tonight, but the celebration ends after tonight when we have to start preparing for next week. We are going on the road, so that is added pressure right there, but I know we will be ready. We won't have the type of fans that we had here today which really helped us, but in practice this week we will continue to get better and work hard to win our first game in the Big Ten. Tonight was a great win for us against a great team and sort of a building block for us. I know we will continue to get better and I think everyone is looking forward to seeing what we can do.
Notre Dame Sophomore Linebacker Brian Smith
On Javon Ringer ...
When you go against a back like Javon Ringer, you already know it's going to be a smash football game. He did a good job running between the tacklers. Our job coming in the game was to make him run east and west, north and south and he did a good job.
On how he thinks they did ...
We feel he had a decent 200 yards. We are going to go back and look at the tape.
On Charlie Weis's comment, "They could have won but didn't deserve to win" ...
We left a lot of players out on the field. We are supposed to get them off the field and penalties kept them on the field and allowed them to score a touchdown early on in the game.
On his overall feelings ...
I can say this on behalf of the guys in that locker room, today, I felt like we fought, but we didn't capitalize on things we should have capitalized on.
Notre Dame Senior Safety David Bruton
On the defense ...
We could have done some things better and different. Our goal was to hold Javon Ringer and keep him under control. He had a really good day and we have some things to work on.
On the mood in the locker room ...
Just disappointment. We felt like we could have played better, we know that we could have played better.
On the secondary ...
We came up on the pass when the ball was thrown. We could have meshed a little better and defended a little better, but at the end of the day they were primarily running in and forced them to bring eight people into the box.
Notre Dame Wide Receiver Golden Tate
On the fourth quarter ...
At that point we were just trying to finish plays and get it in the end zone.
On if all the pressure was on him ...
I think all the receivers that we have are outstanding receivers and we count on all of them like today. For instance, Robby Parris had a couple passes that were big.
On being placed in different scenarios ...
You know, I'm not the coach so I couldn't tell you. Yes, I am capable of doing different things, but we have great coaches and we all trust them to make the right plays.
Notre Dame Sophomore Quarterback Jimmy Clausen
On having to scramble ...
Yes, but that's football. We were blitzing a lot, more than we expected. We just have to take what they give us. They were coming from all over the place - corners, safetys. The front four are pretty good and you have to give those guys credit. They're a really good team and they battled today.
On problems with the passing game ...
Those interceptions were my fault. I shouldn't have thrown the ball there.
On the inability to get the running game going and working to correct it ...
I don't know what the problem is. We watched it on film. Whatever it was, it's not doing what it's supposed to. You have to get it back. It's football - you throw and run the ball.
On Michigan State's blitz's being the most he's ever seen ...
No, it's just that they did it more than we thought they would.
Notre Dame Senior Linebacker Maurice Crum
On Michigan State running back Javon Ringer ...
He's got good balance and strong legs. He's a very strong runner.
On the first loss of the season being different from last year's ...
A loss is a loss, I don't care how it was.
On what you take away from the loss ...
In every game you're going to have some good and some bad. You're going to have to take the good and build on it.
On playing away for the first time this season ...
I'm not sure it had too much to do with what happened.
Notre Dame Junior Outside Tackle Sam Young
On the inability to make big plays ...
They played a good game. They were able to physically match us. They shut us off up front and we just weren't able to get anything going.
On rebounding from the loss ...
You have to a short memory in terms of 'we lost this one,' but at the same time you can't forget what it feels like. We're going to watch the film on Monday and we're going to get right back at it. Our goal is still the same. We're not going to forget what happened, we're just going to build off it. The biggest thing is that we need to come back and keep working. The other games we've had some success and today we didn't. We just have to keep plugging away.
On if the running game contributed to the loss ...
Any given play you can chalk it up to different things. They played a great game and we didn't accomplish what we wanted.
