By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Jason Teague spoiled the home opener for the Fighting Irish Saturday night with a 19-yard run in overtime which lifted visiting Michigan State to a 44-41 victory.
The Spartans have now won five straight games at Notre Dame Stadium, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
The Teague run also helped Michigan State avoid blowing a three touchdown advantage on Notre Dame, which rallied in the fourth quarter.
Despite the comeback, first-year Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis was not impressed.
The Spartans, who are now 3-0 on the season heading to Ilinois for their Big 10 Conference opener on Saturday, dominated the Fighting Irish for nearly three complete quarters.
Michigan State rolled up 38 points in the first three quarters, but then had to hold on for dear life as the Fighting Irish (2-1) came storming back in a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn set personal bests in attempts (60), completions (33), touchdowns (5) and yardage (487).
Quinn threw touchdown passes to Maurice Stovall and Jeff Samardzija to complete the Irish comeback.
Quinn hit Stovall with a seven-yard touchdown toss to close Notre Dame to within a touchdown and then connected with Samardzija with the game-tying score.
In the overtime period, Michigan State won the toss and deferred.
Notre Dame went on offense first and were forced into a 44-yard field goal by D.J. Fitzpatrick.
Michigan State then took over knowing that it needed at least a field goal to tie.
On the second play from scrimmage, Drew Stanton, who also had a great day offensively for the Spartans, ran the option and pitched the ball to Teague who tip-toed down the MSU sideline for the 19-yard touchdown.
"Wow, what a game!" MSU coach John L. Smith said. "This game was definitely worth the price of admission. I have to give Notre Dame a lot of credit they continued to battle all day long when they had every chance to give up on it. Going into overtime they had the momentum, but our defense stepped up and held them to only a field goal. Fortunately, in the end our running game won it for us."
Stanton finished with 327 yards on 16-of-27 attempts.
Teague led the Spartans with 72 yards on 10 carries.
Notre Dame was led in rushing by Darius Walker who had 116 yards on 26 carries.
Notre Dame will look to rebound on Saturday when it heads West to take on former coach Tyrone Willingham and the Washington Huskies.