Every day in practice, Notre Dame linebacker Brandon Hoyte enjoys the luxury of going against an offense that has scored 59 points, averaged 4.9 yards per play and converted 14 of 30 third-down opportunities in two games.
On Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish defense will be charged with shutting down a Michigan State machine that has flattened its first two opponents.
The Spartans’ weapons are multiple, a potent threat at almost every position. The result? An offense that is riding high as Michigan State tries to run its winning streak in South Bend to five games.
But the Irish will be the Spartans’ toughest challenge so far.
“They’re playing with a ton of passion,” Michigan State center Chris Morris said of the Irish. “Everybody’s staying low and running to the ball . . . We know we can’t let up on any play.”
With eight of 11 offensive starters back, Michigan State has much the same personnel as it did in 2004. Some of the Spartans’ numbers–like quarterback Drew Stanton’s 78 percent completion rate and tailback Jehuu Caulcrick’s 114.5 rushing yards per game–are predictably solid.
But the key to Michigan State’s early success may be its newfound efficiency.
“Their third-down conversion rate is 67 percent,” Notre Dame defensive backs coach Bill Lewis said. “That’s amazing. Offenses, if they’re up in the high 40s, you feel good.”
Most of the time, however, the Spartans don’t even get to third down, averaging 7.5 yards per offensive play.
“Their execution is probably second to none,” Hoyte said.
The transformation began immediately after Michigan State’s season-ending 41-38 loss at Hawaii last year, a defeat that kept the Spartans from a bowl berth.
“A lot of players weren’t used to sitting home for Christmas,” Morris said.
” We [worked] hard in the off-season, we grew closer as a team, and that’s where a lot of our success is coming from,” Caulcrick said.
Winter weight-lifting sessions called for greater accountability, summer seven-on-seven workouts took on added intensity and the Spartans’ playmaker-laden offense added more versatility.
The rushing attack of Caulcrick and Jason Teague, who may miss Saturday’s game because of a suspension, was boosted by the arrival of slight, shifty freshman tailback Javon Ringer, who is averaging 74.5 yards in the first two games.
Meanwhile, Stanton has become more of a pocket passer after running for 687 yards in 10 games last season and averaging 7.16 yards per rush, third best in Spartans history.
“I’m more confident in my arm and being able to make plays that way,” Stanton said.
Still, Stanton remains a running threat.
“They’re very explosive,” Hoyte said. “They’re going to bring a couple of wrinkles in, whether it’s the option or not. We just have to go play by play.”
Some may contend that the Spartans’ first two opponents–Kent State and Hawaii–are not in Notre Dame’s class.
Hoyte isn’t buying that.
“They’ve put up unbelievable numbers. The numbers don’t lie,” he said. “They’re a great offense. They pass very well, they’ve had a lot of success running. You have to respect them.”
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Marquee matchup: Michigan St. at Notre Dame
Michigan State QB Drew Stanton (right) will try to ruin Irish coach Charlie Weis’ home opener: 2:30 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5
Also on TV
Eastern Michigan at Michigan, 11 a.m., WCIU-Ch. 26, ESPNU
Tennessee Tech at NIU, 3 p.m., Comcast SportsNet
Kentucky at Indiana, 5:45 p.m., ESPN Classic
Wisconsin at North Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Florida State at Boston College, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee at Florida, 7 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
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apatel@tribune.com
