NOTRE DAME Fighting Irish put focus on stuffing MSU runners

The Irish defense is ranked sixth in the nation against the run.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Linebacker Mike Goolsby knows better than anyone that Notre Dame's defensive line makes it difficult to run.
Sometimes he has trouble finding running room himself.
"There are times where as a linebacker I'm trying to get in my gap and there is no gap," he said. "They have everything closed up. They clog everything up."
Opposing running backs are having the same problem.
The Irish (1-1) held Brigham Young to 22 yards rushing on 35 attempts and Michigan to 56 yards on 30 attempts. That's just 1.2 yards a run.
At 39 yards a game, the Irish defense heads into its game Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN) at Michigan State (1-1) ranked sixth in the nation against the run. The game plan is simple: stop the run and make other teams try to beat the Irish with the pass.
"Any time you can force an opponent into one dimension, then you can kind of slowly take apart that other dimension," coach Tyrone Willingham said. "In the game of football, it is important that the dimension that you take away be the run."
The Irish were 10th in the nation against the run two years ago (95 yards per game) and 29th last season (127 yards per game).
Preseason predictions
Notre Dame figured it would have a solid linebacking corps with starters Brandon Hoyte and Derek Curry returning and Goolsby back after missing last season because of a broken collarbone. The Irish also knew they would be strong at defensive end with the return of Justin Tuck, who had 13.5 sacks last season, and Kyle Budinscak.
The interior line, though, was a concern with the graduation of defensive tackle Darrell Campbell and nose guard Cedric Hilliard. Defensive tackle Greg Pauly was the only returner with extensive playing time with 31 tackles in 24 games, including five starts. Nose guard Derek Landri had 13 tackles in 10 games with one start. Trevor Laws had never played.
The three, though, have been rotating in the two inside positions and playing surprisingly well. Laws, the least experienced of the group, has nine tackles, including two for losses. Pauly has eight tackles, and Landri, who deflected two passes against Michigan, has four.
Strong up the middle
Willingham said their play has been the key to the team's success.
"When you talk about having a successful defense, it usually starts right up the middle," Willingham said. "If you can have great play in the center of your defense, then you create havoc. You cause things to happen, you make it better for your backers, you make it better for your ends, you make it better for the secondary."
Laws said the extra rest with three players sharing the two positions helps. It might not be helpful against the Spartans, though. Pauly is questionable for the game because of an undisclosed injury.
The Irish will be going against a Michigan State offense that is averaging 4.6 yards a carry and 151 yards a game running.
"Last year they were pretty successful with the run against us, so this year we know we have to step it up," Laws said. "If we want to win this game, we have to stop the run. So I think it's up to our D-line."