No. 3 Notre Dame takes command in second half to beat Michigan State 27-10

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — CJ Carr threw for 234 yards and ran for a touchdown, Nolan James Jr. rushed for 121 yards and a score, and No. 3 Notre Dame took control in the second half to beat Michigan State 27-10 on Saturday night.

It was the 13th straight victory dating to last season for the Fighting Irish — all by double digits. Coach Marcus Freeman broke the Notre Dame record for consecutive double-digit victories, exceeding the 12 by Knute Rockne from 1921-22.

Micah Gilbert had eight catches for 170 yards for Notre Dame (3-0). Carr’s streak of 12 games with a passing touchdown ended, with the Fighting Irish scoring all three TDs on short rushes.

James Jr. pops into the end zone for the ND TD

Nolan James Jr. converts a two-yard rush into Notre Dame's first touchdown of the night against Michigan State.

Notre Dame outscored Michigan State 10-0 in the second half, limiting the Spartans (2-1) to 40 yards of offense over the final two quarters.

Carr’s 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter made it 27-10. James scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, and Aneyas Williams ran it in from 1 yard out with 4:46 left in the second.

Williams’ TD made it 17-3, but the Spartans closed within 17-10 by halftime. Cam Fancher, who platooned with Alessio Milivojevic at quarterback, scored on a 15-yard scramble.

Spartans QB Fancher eludes the defense for a TD

Michigan State quarterback Cam Fancher stepped in for the red zone play and took it to the end zone to bring the Spartans within 7.

Milivojevic was 9 of 17 passing for 123 yards and was intercepted twice.