Notre Dame has turned the ball over twice already against Michigan State, but they have not imploded like the past two games yet and lead 21-10 at halftime.

Cierre Wood has rushed for two touchdowns and George Atkinson returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown for Notre Dame, but they could have been up more if not for an interception and a fumble by quarterback Tommy Rees.

MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled somewhat in the first half, turning the ball over on a fumble, but did throw a touchdown to Dion Sims that cut the lead to 14-10.

Michigan State tried to get tricky again with the Irish, faking a short field goal near the end of the half with the ball inside the Notre Dame 5-yard line. MSU faked a field goal that resulted in the game-winning touchdown during last year’s overtime win, but this time Notre Dame snuffed out the play and maintained their 21-10 lead.

Halftime Stats

Passing
Cousins, MSU: 12/18, 141 yards, TD
Rees, ND: 7/11, 83 yards, INT, FUM

Rushing
Wood, ND: 9 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD
Edwin Baker, MSU: 7 carries, 13 yards

Receiving
B.J. Cunningham, MSU: 4 rec, 64 yards
Michael Floyd, ND: 3 rec, 45 yards.