Correction: The story should say Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn completed just 2-of-8 first-quarter pass attempts for six yards.
The Brady Quinn Heisman Hype Machine hit the wall Sept. 16. Quinn, the runaway preseason favorite to take home college football's most prestigious award, turned the ball over four times in Notre Dame's 47-21 loss to Michigan.
It appeared the senior quarterback's poor playing would continue against MSU. Quinn completed just 2-of-7 first-quarter pass attempts for six yards. He was terribly inaccurate — missing wide-open receivers on one play, only to force the ball into tight coverage the next.
In the second quarter, he threw a pass right to MSU junior defensive end Ervin Baldwin, who returned the interception for a 19-yard touchdown.
Quinn continued to struggle in the third quarter, twice fumbling the snap from center.
But as the game wore on, Quinn found his rhythm, and by the fourth quarter, he was throwing strikes. He threw two touchdown passes in the last 8:18, perfectly placing the ball where only his teammates could catch it.
Quinn said the team regained its swagger once it was able to move the ball against the MSU defense.
"We got our sense of confidence back," Quinn said. "We kind of lost some in last week's game (against U-M), and you really can't build that confidence until you get in a game situation and start moving the ball."
One key to Quinn's success was some in-game adjustments, including changing the speed of the center-quarterback exchange.
"With the ball being that slick and your hands being that wet, you almost have to slow down the snap," Quinn said.
Though his resurgence was crucial, as was the play of wide receiver Rhema McKnight and cornerback Terrail Lambert, Quinn said no player should be the "hero" of Notre Dame's comeback.
"I think last week was a team loss, and this week was a team win," Quinn said.
Quinn said it was rewarding to extract some revenge on the Spartans, who beat the Fighting Irish in 2005, with a final score of 44-41.
"It feels good. You lost last year, and going out your senior year, you want to end up on top," Quinn said. "It feels good to go out with a win like that."
And with a win like that, Quinn's Heisman hopes — and more importantly, Notre Dame's national title aspirations — are back on track.
Just a number?
Former MSU defensive end Charles "Bubba" Smith was honored in a brief ceremony before the game. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Athletic Director Ron Mason and sophomore defensive end Justin Kershaw presented Smith with a framed No. 95 jersey.
Kershaw, who currently wears No. 95, then shook Smith's hand.
"He just looked like he was speechless," Kershaw said. "I could tell he was happy and just really caught up in the moment. I told him, 'You were great — your number shouldn't be worn after today.'"
And it won't — the jersey was supposed to be taken out of circulation once Kershaw leaves the program, but he decided to give up No. 95 following the game.
Kershaw said he's not sure which number he will wear for the rest of the season but is considering No. 11.
