Fighting Irish flaws glaring in first real test
In what amounted to the Notre Dame football team’s first real test of the season after a pair of simple quizzes, the Irish left zero questions blank.
But we already knew the answer to the big one: Yep, they are who we thought they were.
As fast as the Irish climbed back into the college football conversation, at least for something other than records in futility or as the butt of jokes, the parking break was yanked on any momentum Notre Dame’s 2-0 start provided.
Saturday, it was back to reality, which took on human form as Javon Ringer.
Ringer stomped all over the Spartan Stadium sod in a 23-7 Michigan State victory, amassing 201 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns — utterly exposing an already suspect Irish defense.
The fact that Notre Dame can’t stop the run is hardly a revelation, just a weakness amplified by Ringer. But that none of the Irish’s numerous other shortcomings made even modest improvement is cause for concern for Weis and Co.
mlive.com
9/21/08
