SOUTH BEND, Ind. — On a breathtaking crisp fall night, the kind that leaves no question football season has arrived, the 2012 Notre Dame football team posed an intriguing question of its own: Is this group destined for greatness?
In a 13-6 win over rival Michigan last night in Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish improved to 4-0 and beat Top 20-ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2002.
“It’s a group that understands they’ve got an opportunity to do something really big,’’ coach Brian Kelly said.
The offense, which was supposed to be Kelly’s calling card, remains unsettled at the most key position: quarterback. The defense, which was supposed to be too young to be dominant, has been just that: dominant.
Notre Dame, after sweeping the season series with Michigan and Michigan State for the first time since 2004, is undefeated going into its bye week — a week of healing and decision making. Is destiny calling?
Consider this: One player, quarterback Tommy Rees, found redemption last night. Another player, linebacker Manti Te’o, found rejuvenation.
Rees, who won the starting job last season, lost it because of an off-campus arrest for underage drinking and resisting law enforcement. He came off the bench to lead the Irish to their only touchdown and final 10 points.
Te’o, who still is grieving the deaths last week of his grandmother and girlfriend, played with joy and abandon in leading an Irish defense that forced six turnovers, including four interceptions and a fumble by Denard Robinson. Michigan coach Brady Hoke said he never thought about pulling the player nicknamed Shoelace.
“The guy has done a pretty dog gone good job being a quarterback at Michigan,’’ said Hoke whose team is 2-2.
Not yesterday. But Everett Golson, the sophomore that won the Notre Dame starting job after Rees was suspended for the opener, was not much better. When he threw an interception in the end zone that had Touchdown Jesus dropping his arms Kelly went back to Rees following a Te’o interception on the Michigan 48 with 6:10 left in the first half
“He knows now that if he wants to stay in the starting lineup, he has to take care of the football,’’ Kelly said earlier this week.
Rees made two gorgeous throws on the drive. With the ball on the Michigan 2, a spot that screams for Golson’s mobility, Kelly silenced everyone by running Rees on a keeper that surprised the Maize and Blue.
Kelly said after the game that Golson (3-of-8 for 30 yards with two interceptions) remains the starter, but Rees (8-of-11 for 115 yards) is lurking.
With the offense still stuck in fall practice, the Irish’s fast, aggressive defense was left to win the game. Te’o, who will return home Wednesday to his native Hawaii to grieve, has become a legendary player here. A local business donated 7,500 Leis that were distributed before the game.
After Golson threw his first interception, the Te’o-led defense pushed the Wolverines back 15 yards on three plays. Brendan Gibbons’ 43 yard field goal attempt failed and it seemed as if the entire defensive coaching staff came off the sidelines to celebrate with the players.
The Irish do not play next week. Te’o, who had two interceptions, will find some closure on the island of his birth. Kelly will have to do some quarterback nurturing. Does destiny await?.
“If you don’t believe that you can do something great you’re not going to do it,’’ Te’o said. “We understand that we have to have confidence, but at the same time we have to back it up.’’