Notre Dame Beats Michigan State 27-10: Fighting Irish Take Down Spartans
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish remained undefeated with a 27-10 victory over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Playing through rainy conditions, Notre Dame used a balanced offensive attack and another strong defensive performance to take control of the game. The Irish finished with 395 total yards while holding Michigan State to just 167 yards. Notre Dame also won the turnover battle 2-0 and controlled the clock for more than 37 minutes.
The victory moved Notre Dame to 3-0 on the season and allowed the Irish to retain the Megaphone Trophy.
Notre Dame Takes Early Control
Notre Dame wasted little time creating problems for Michigan State.
Quarterback CJ Carr opened the game by connecting with wide receiver Micah Gilbert for a 61-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage. Although the Irish had to settle for a field goal on the opening possession, the big play immediately demonstrated the potential of the Notre Dame passing game.
The Irish defense then forced Michigan State into a three-and-out, giving the offense another opportunity.
Notre Dame eventually turned that opportunity into a touchdown when running back Nolan James Jr. scored on a short touchdown run. The Irish added another touchdown from Aneyas Williams later in the second quarter to build a 17-3 advantage.
Michigan State answered with a touchdown run from Cam Fancher before halftime, but Notre Dame still entered the second half with a 17-10 lead.
Nolan James Jr. Leads the Notre Dame Running Game
One of the biggest contributors to the Notre Dame victory was running back Nolan James Jr.
James carried the ball 26 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. His steady running helped Notre Dame maintain possession and control the pace of the game, particularly late in the contest.
James was especially important in the fourth quarter. With Notre Dame protecting its lead, the Irish repeatedly turned to their running game to keep the clock moving and prevent Michigan State from getting another opportunity to mount a comeback.
His 121-yard performance gave Notre Dame a physical presence on the ground throughout the game.
Micah Gilbert Has a Huge Receiving Night
Wide receiver Micah Gilbert was another major factor in the Notre Dame victory.
Gilbert caught eight passes for 170 yards, averaging more than 21 yards per reception. His 61-yard reception on the opening play immediately put the Michigan State defense under pressure and helped establish the Irish passing attack.
While Gilbert did not score a touchdown, his ability to make explosive plays gave Notre Dame a significant advantage through the air.
His performance was particularly notable because Michigan State had difficulty limiting the big play. Gilbert repeatedly provided Carr with a downfield target and finished the night as Notre Dame’s leading receiver.
CJ Carr Plays a Key Role
Quarterback CJ Carr delivered an efficient performance for Notre Dame.
Carr completed 18 of 24 passes for 234 yards and did not throw an interception. He also added a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter that effectively put the game out of reach.
Perhaps just as important as his statistics was Carr’s ability to avoid mistakes. Against a Michigan State team that managed to force turnovers in its first two games, Carr protected the football and consistently moved the offense.
His fourth-quarter touchdown run gave Notre Dame a 27-10 advantage with just over 11 minutes remaining and essentially ended Michigan State’s hopes of a comeback.
Aneyas Williams Provides Another Notre Dame Touchdown
Aneyas Williams also contributed to the Notre Dame offensive effort.
Williams scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 17-3. The score came after the Irish had already established control of the game and gave Notre Dame some breathing room before Michigan State responded.
Williams also contributed as a receiver, catching two passes for 11 yards.
His ability to contribute both as a runner and receiver continues to give Notre Dame another option in its offensive attack.
Notre Dame Defense Keeps Michigan State in Check
While the Irish offense received much of the attention, Notre Dame’s defense played an equally important role in the victory.
Michigan State finished with only 167 total yards and averaged just 3.7 yards per play. The Spartans also turned the ball over twice, while Notre Dame finished the game without a turnover.
Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic completed only 9 of 17 passes for 123 yards and threw two interceptions.
The Notre Dame defense consistently made it difficult for Michigan State to sustain drives. The Irish also came up with key pressure late in the game as Notre Dame protected its lead.
The defensive performance was particularly important because Michigan State entered the game having shown an ability to run the football effectively during the early part of the season.
Instead, Notre Dame limited the Spartans’ rushing attack and forced Michigan State to rely more heavily on the passing game.
Notre Dame Controls the Fourth Quarter
Notre Dame entered the fourth quarter leading 20-10 after Spencer Porath connected on a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The Irish then put together another important scoring drive.
Carr finished the drive himself, rushing three yards for a touchdown to extend the Notre Dame lead to 27-10.
From there, Notre Dame relied on its running game and its defense. James continued to pick up important yards, while Carr took a pair of late kneel-downs to close out the victory.
The Irish finished with 67 offensive plays compared with 45 for Michigan State and held the ball for 37:02.
That control of possession was a major part of the victory.
What the Notre Dame Win Means
The 27-10 victory gave Notre Dame a 3-0 record and another strong early-season win.
The Irish showed they could win in different ways. The passing game produced several explosive plays, the running game produced more than 200 yards, and the defense limited Michigan State to 167 total yards.
Notre Dame also avoided the turnovers and costly mistakes that can change the outcome of a close rivalry game.
The victory gives the Fighting Irish additional momentum as they continue through their 2026 schedule.
Check out the game highlights:
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Notre Dame vs. Michigan State FAQ
What was the final score of Notre Dame vs. Michigan State?
Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 27-10 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Who was Notre Dame’s leading rusher against Michigan State?
Nolan James Jr. led Notre Dame with 121 rushing yards on 26 carries and scored one touchdown.
Who was Notre Dame’s leading receiver against Michigan State?
Micah Gilbert led the Irish with eight receptions for 170 yards. He also opened the game with a 61-yard reception.
How did CJ Carr perform against Michigan State?
CJ Carr completed 18 of 24 passes for 234 yards without an interception. He also rushed for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Who scored Notre Dame’s touchdowns?
Nolan James Jr., Aneyas Williams and CJ Carr scored Notre Dame’s three touchdowns against Michigan State.
How many yards did Notre Dame have against Michigan State?
Notre Dame finished with 395 total yards, including 234 passing yards and 161 rushing yards.
How many yards did Michigan State have?
Michigan State finished with 167 total yards, including 123 passing yards.
Did Notre Dame turn the ball over?
No. Notre Dame finished the game without a turnover, while Michigan State turned the ball over twice.
What was the biggest play of the game?
One of Notre Dame’s biggest plays came on the first snap when CJ Carr connected with Micah Gilbert for a 61-yard completion. The play immediately put Michigan State’s defense on notice and helped establish the Irish passing attack.
Where was the Notre Dame vs. Michigan State game played?
The game was played at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.