Michigan State Ready for Irish

Michigan State (3-0) enters the Notre Dame game undefeated for the third consecutive season.

Michigan State is tied with Penn State and Indiana for the most sacks in the country — 17 — through three games. Notre Dame is last in the nation in sacks allowed with 23. Syracuse, with 18, is the only other school to allow more than 13.

Notre Dame’s players weren’t surprised by Weis’ declaration after the 38-point loss to Michigan that the Irish would return to a training camp mode.

“Something had to be changed,” nose tackle Pat Kuntz said. “I think everybody was surprised. But at the same time, we’ve got to change things.

“By whatever means, we’re open to it,” offensive tackle Sam Young said. “No one likes losing. If that means starting from square one, that’s fine by us.”

Notre Dame ranks last (119th) in the nation in rushing offense, total offense, scoring offense and sacks allowed. The Irish are threatening to reach the bottom in a couple of other categories: rushing defense (111th, 237.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (99th, 34.0 points per game).

The hole the Irish have dug in total offense is sizable. They are averaging 115.0 total yards per game. No. 118 Florida International averages 180.3 yards per game

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