Notre Dame might be a good football team if they could hold onto the ball.
The Fighting Irish lead 14-3 after one quarter of play, but two turnovers have limited even further success on offense.
Notre Dame turned the ball over five times in each of their first two games against Michigan and South Florida, but have been able to work through a fumble and an interception after one quarter. Sparking the Irish attack was an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by George Atkinson moments after Dan Conroy’s 40-yard field goal cut the Irish lead to 7-3.
Notre Dame drove 76 yards in eight plays on the game’s opening drive, capped by a 22-yard dash by Cierre Wood for the game’s first score.
Notre Dame forced a punt and was looking for more, but the Irish caught the turnover bug again when quarterback Tommy Rees fumbled as his own 46-yard line.
MSU returned the favor when quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked and fumbled at midfield, giving the Irish the ball right back. However, Notre Dame ran into trouble again when Rees’ pass on the ensuing drive was intercepted by Kurtis Drummond.