Post-Game Notes: Notre Dame
9/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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• Michigan State fell to Notre Dame, 38-18, in the 79th all-time meeting between the two schools . . . UND leads the all-time series 49-29-1 . . . MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 4-5 against the Fighting Irish (2-2 in Spartan Stadium).
• Former All-American wide receiver Kirk Gibson was recognized in a first-quarter ceremony by the National Football Foundation as part of the on-campus salute for being named to the 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Class . . . Gibson also had his name and number (No. 23) added to the Spartan Stadium Ring of Fame.
• The Spartans turned the ball over three times (one interception, two fumbles), while Notre Dame didn't commit a turnover in the game.
OFFENSE
• Michigan State outgained Notre Dame in total yards (496-355) and passing yards (345-173).
• Brian Lewerke threw for a career-high 340 passing yards, tied for the 18th most passing yards in a single game in MSU history . . . Lewerke's career-high 396 yards of total offense (340 passing, 56 rushing) was the fourth-highest single-game total in the school record book . . . Lewerke also set a career high in pass completions (31) and pass attempts (51) . . . the 31 pass completions are tied for the fifth most in MSU history and the 51 completions are seventh most.
• Darrell Stewart led the Spartans in all-purpose yards for the third consecutive game (122) . . . Stewart tied his career high with six receptions for 41 yards, including a 4-yard TD in the first quarter . . . Stewart also compiled a career-high 79 kick return yards and had 2 rushing yards.
• Trishton Jackson set career highs for catches (5) and receiving yards (69).
• The Spartans converted 11-of-19 on third downs.
• Notre Dame's Julian Love returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give UND a 14-0 lead . . . it marked the first interception returned for a TD against the Spartans since the 2014 Rose Bowl against Stanford.
DEFENSE
• The Spartans entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FBS in third-down percentage defense, but allowed Notre Dame to convert 8-of-14 on third downs.
• Junior safety Matt Morrissey recorded a career-high 11 tackles.
• Sophomore defensive end Kenny Willekes tallied a career-high 10 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Redshirt freshman Matt Coghlin connected on his first career field goal, a 40-yarder in the third quarter.
• Jake Hartbarger averaged 49.0 yards per punt on three punts (147 yards), including a 57-yarder.
