EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State gambled on one play to try to beat Notre Dame, and it paid off.
Aaron Bates threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt on an audacious fake field goal in overtime, giving the Spartans a 34-31 victory over the Irish on Saturday night.
With Dan Conroy lining up for a 46-yard attempt to tie the game in the first overtime, Bates took the snap, stood up and had time to wait for Gantt to come open downfield. Gantt caught the pass for an easy touchdown, giving the Spartans (3-0) the victory and a measure of revenge for a heartbreaking 33-30 loss in South Bend last season.
David Ruffer had given the Irish (1-2) the lead with a 33-yard field goal on Notre Dame’s overtime possession.
“This hurts, so there’s not a lot I can tell them that is going to make them feel better,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said.
