EAST LANSING, MICH. Big plays, turnovers play role in Irish win

Notre Dame's 31-24 win over Michigan State gave Tyrone Willingham a 2-1 record against his alma mater as Irish coach.
By TIM MARTIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Tom Zbikowski returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown and had an interception that set up another score for Notre Dame, which forced six turnovers and beat Michigan State 31-24 on Saturday night.
The Fighting Irish (2-1) got three interceptions and recovered three fumble in their second straight victory, bouncing back from a season-opening loss to Brigham Young.
Freshman Darius Walker, the hero of last week's 28-20 win over Michigan, had 98 yards on 26 carries for Notre Dame.
Zbikowski's two big plays in the first quarter got Notre Dame rolling against the Spartans (1-2).
Bootleg by Quinn
His interception of Stephen Reaves' pass led to a 13-yard scoring drive for the Irish that was capped by a fourth-down, 1-yard bootleg by quarterback Brady Quinn to tie the game at 7.
Zbikowksi struck again on the next possession. He read a Michigan State option play and stripped running back Jason Teague of the ball, then rambled down the sideline for a 14-7 lead.
Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham, a 1977 Michigan State graduate, is 2-1 against his alma mater as Irish coach. He is 3-1 all-time against the Spartans, including a win while at Stanford.
Michigan State had dominated the recent series against the Irish, winning six of the previous seven games -- including all five when Notre Dame was coached by Bob Davie.
Michigan State scored early in the first quarter on a blocked punt by Marshall Campbell. The punt was recovered in the end zone by Jerramy Scott to give Michigan State a 7-0 lead.
Benched at the half
But the Spartans couldn't keep the momentum, committing four first-half turnovers. Reaves, a freshman, was benched at halftime after throwing three interceptions. He was 7-for-20 for 66 yards.
Reaves' replacement, sophomore Drew Stanton, led the Spartans to their only offensive touchdown with 9 seconds left in the game. Stanton ran in from 4 yards out.
The Irish had enough on offense to secure the victory, running for 173 yards. Ryan Grant had 66 yards on 11 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown. Quinn was 11-of-24 passing for 215 yards, including a 35-yard TD pass to Matt Shelton.
DeAndra Cobb scored on an 89-yard kickoff return for the Spartans in the third quarter.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.