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Notre Dame Football: 20 biggest wins of the Brian Kelly era

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly looks on during a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly looks on during a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Notre Dame Football. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 20 biggest wins of the Brian Kelly era

7. Notre Dame 20 Michigan State 3 (2012)

When Notre Dame went to East Lansing in 2012, there were questions if the Irish were ready for the biggest stages. Michigan State had been more established at the time, and almost nobody gave Notre Dame a chance to hang with the Spartans and their ball control offensive approach.

Instead, from start to finish, Notre Dame beat down Michigan State. Thanks to an Everett Golson touchdown pass, Notre Dame had all the points they would need to win, but Golson added a rushing touchdown too, while Kyle Brindza had two more field goals.

Michigan State would never lead in the game, largely due to the best Notre Dame defense in decades suffocating Le’Veon Bell and the Spartans.

From here, Notre Dame announced their return to prominence in 2012 and gained the momentum and confidence to propel them forward in the 2012 season, including tight wins against Michigan, Miami, and Stanford in the coming weeks.

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