Still, defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi isn’t thrilled by what he sees on the field before him.

“We haven’t been that happy at all,” he said.

Narduzzi added the team’s inability to get to the quarterback was frustrating, and a result of mistakes being made along the defensive front.

“Every time, it’s somebody messing something up where we don’t get a sack,” he said. “The goal of our defense is to take away the first read … And that’s where we’ve had problems and that’s disappointing.”

Although they’ve held opposing offenses to 10 total points, the Spartan defense has only recorded one sack during two games, something the players hope to correct against No. 20 Notre Dame Saturday night.

“I think we definitely will get more pressure, especially this week — we have to,” senior defensive tackle Anthony Rashad White said. “If you’ve got to bullrush four or five people, do whatever — just get to him.”

Narduzzi said one of the things that makes it difficult to prepare for Notre Dame is that the Fighting Irish have two talented quarterbacks with different styles.

Redshirt freshman Everett Golson has a strong arm, but also can make plays with his feet and stay alive in the pocket. On the other hand, junior quarterback Tommy Rees is more of a classic drop-back passer with a quick release, making it harder for opposing defenses to get to him in time.

Still, junior defensive tackle Micajah Reynolds isn’t worried about who’s behind center, as long as the line can get a push.

“Whether it’s a young quarterback or a seasoned vet, we want to make a statement that we’re going to be in the backfield from the get-go,” Reynolds said. “We’re going to do a much better job this week of doing so.”

He added even if the Spartans don’t take Golson or Rees down in the backfield, they’ll make sure their presence is known early.

“We look forward to getting into his head and not even necessarily talking, just knowing when he gets rid of the ball, he’s going to get hit,” he said.