Inside The Irish Huddle: Live Blog of Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Last weekend both Notre Dame and Michigan rolled to very convincing victories setting up another big early season matchup between the Fighting Irish and Wolverines.

Both teams are looking to raise expectations this season with a big win in this storied rivalry. For Notre Dame, a win could catapult their program into the top 15 and set up another big game next weekend against Michigan State. A win for Michigan would bring the Wolverines back to respectability and give them much needed confidence as the Big Ten schedule approaches.

Let’s go inside the Irish huddle and head out to the Big House in Ann Arbor for a look at this afternoon’s game.

Michigan kicks the ball off to Notre Dame. It’s a bit of a surprise to see Barry Gallup Jr. back to receive.

Notre Dame comes out on their first drive and is moving the ball down the field with ease. On a crucial third down inside the red zone Weis dials up a quarterback sneak that gets stuffed. To make things worse, freshman kicker Nick Tausch misses his first field goal. Has there been a curse cast on Irish kickers?

Michigan gets one first down but their drive stalls fairly quickly. Forcier escapes a sack but is unable to scamper for a first down. Notre Dame will have to make sure they wrap up Forcier and Robinson when they get pressure close enough to get their hands on them if they want to win today.

Notre Dame gets the ball back but looks sloppy on a three and out. It appeared Armando Allen missed a blitzing Wolverine defender on third down and Clausen was forced to throw the ball away.

Michigan is starting to get some momentum and just completed a long pass on a circus catch by the Wolverine wideout. After a holding penalty, Michigan runs three successful plays and picks up a big first down.

After a big run by running back Brandon Minor the Wolverines are looking at first and goal. Michigan dials up Minor again and he puts the ball in the end zone after a great second effort.

It’s a big offensive series for Notre Dame as they are trailing for the first time this year. Allen breaks off another big run on first down. A 41 yard screen pass for a touchdown was just taken away after a review claimed that Allen had stepped out of bounds at the 22 yard line. It didn’t seem to be very conclusive at all that Allen did in fact step out. Is that a Big Ten official crew in the replay booth?

After a timeout the Irish are unable to gain a first down. On third down another horrible play call as Clausen throws an inaccurate fade route to Floyd that lands out of bounds. The good news is that Tausch hits the ensuing field goal to put Notre Dame on the board.

On the kickoff, the normally stout Irish coverage team gets burned and gives up a touchdown to Darryl Stonum. The pressure is now building up for the Irish as they once again need another good offensive drive.

The Irish pick up a big third down followed by a nice long pass to Michael Floyd and another nice pass to Golden Tate over the middle. It’s imperative that Notre Dame picks up a touchdown inside the ten yard line. And that does happen with a short touchdown pass to Golden Tate.

Notre Dame makes a strong statement on Michigan’s next possession forcing them into a three and out with only Forcier’s scramble on third down being the only positive yards gained by the Wolverines.

The Irish are in a hole now after a holding penalty and delay of game leaves them at first and 25. Clausen answers with another big strike to Michael Floyd moving the ball near midfield. Clausen throws a perfect deep ball to Tate that was batted away by the Michigan defender who was also grabbing Tate’s arm. Did I mention it’s a Big Ten officiating crew?

After a first down run by Allen and another strike to Tate, Notre Dame moves deep into Michigan territory helped out by a roughing the passer penalty on the Wolverines. Seconds later Clausen goes up top to Floyd for another touchdown pass.

The Irish have answered the bell with an extremely efficient second quarter here as they have now taken the lead 17-14.

On Michigan’s following possession a sack by Brian Smith is negated by a holding call on Sergio Brown, but the Wolverines are unable to pick up a first down. The momentum in this game has quickly shifted in Notre Dame’s favor.

Allen continues to run the ball effectively but penalties are setting the Irish back on what seems like each and every possession. On a positive note, Tausch nails a 42 yard field goal and the Irish extend their lead.

With little time left in the half Michigan has moved the ball a little bit and has just converted a huge fourth and 11 bringing them into field goal territory. After a pair of off-setting penalties, Michigan is unable to move the ball any further and settles for a field goal as the clock hits zero.

This game has the feel of last weeks Nevada contest as Clausen already has 190 yards passing with two touchdowns, Allen has almost 100 yards rushing and Floyd and Tate are both having strong games. However, unlike Nevada, the Wolverines have put points up on the board and this is a very close game, even though the Irish have twice as many yards as Michigan.

Michigan has come out to start the second half and is gashing the Notre Dame defense on several plays in a row culminating in a big run by Brandon Minor down to the goal line. After three ineffective running plays including a fumbled snap, Michigan is unable to get on the board because of a missed field goal.

The Irish take over and pick up a first down after a holding penalty, but Jonas Gray fumbles and Michigan creates the game’s first turnover.

Michigan is continuing to give the ball to Minor and he is running with ease against the Notre Dame defense. That’s followed up by a nice quick pass by Fortier for a touchdown.

A big play as Gallup takes the kick off into Michigan territory and the Irish are set up with excellent field position. However, the Irish look sloppy again and are forced to punt.

The Irish get a much needed stop on third down, but Forcier takes the snap on fourth down and punts the ball down to the Notre Dame three yard line.

Notre Dame gets a break on a pass interference call but comes right back and shoots themselves in the foot with a holding penalty after Clausen connected to Rudolph on a 72 yard gain. The drive stalls and Notre Dame is forced to punt.

Michigan has the ball and is moving once again as the third quarter comes to an end. That was definitely the worst quarter of football by Notre Dame so far this year. They need to step it up or risk losing this game.

After stopping Michigan on third down, the Wolverines decide to go for it on fourth and three. It’s a great decision as Forcier jukes Fleming out of the stadium and rumbles all the way to end zone for a touchdown making it 31-20 in favor of Michigan.

The Irish pick up a first down but suffer a huge drop by Tate on what looked to be a sure touchdown pass from Clausen. Luckily, Clausen connects with Floyd on a big third down conversion to keep the drive alive.

After going one dimensional with the passing game, Allen finally takes a run for a first down. Once more, Tate drops another sure touchdown pass. After a horrible spot the Irish are left with fourth and one which Clausen picks up on a sneak play. Finally, Tate catches the ball, spins, and takes it for a touchdown.

It’s time for the Irish defense to step and you’ve got to think Forcier will make a mistake at some point in this game. Thus far, Forcier has been sensational and Michigan has not turned the ball over.

Well, finally it happens as Forcier throws an interception and McCarthy takes the ball into Michigan territory.

It’s surprising how much Weis has abandoned the running game as he continues to keep Clausen in shotgun formation and throw the ball down field to Floyd and Tate. On a fade route again, Floyd is injured and has now left the game.

On third down Allen runs the ball for a big first down. On the next play, Allen takes it again and dives into the end zone giving Notre Dame the lead. On the two point conversion, Notre Dame runs a risky statue of liberty play and Allen takes it in for the points, but is flagged for taunting by the official.

Allen simply put his finger to his mouth to “hush” the crowd and the flag was thrown. Boy, if you think the best officials are those that go unnoticed, this game is not for you.

Michigan gets great field position after the kickoff and is already in Notre Dame territory. Lucky for the Irish Michigan fumbles, but recovers, and Forcier misses a receiver on third down.

There’s three minutes left and Notre Dame is without Michael Floyd on offense. On first down Allen takes it for a big gain to the left side, but comes up bit gimpy. Once again, the Irish try to go deep to Tate to no avail.

Clausen can’t hit Shaq Evans who is in the game for Floyd and Notre Dame is forced to punt. Another lackluster punt from Maust gives Michigan great field position with two minutes to play.

Two plays later and Michigan picks up a first down, but Forcier gets blasted by John Ryan and the Wolverines are forced to take a timeout with just over a minute remaining. It’s coming down to the wire in Ann Arbor.

A couple successful passing plays by Forcier move the ball but Michigan takes their last timeout with 30 seconds left to play. On the next play Forcier connects for another completion inside the Irish five yard line.

A huge drop and it’s second and goal, but Forcier doesn’t miss as he connects for the touchdown with 11 seconds left. Michigan now leads 38-34.

Somehow two seconds were taken off the clock despite Notre Dame not touching the ball on the kickoff. With nine second left Clausen hits Tate over the middle but he is tackled with one second left and the clock runs out.

This was a gut wrenching loss for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.