Notre Dame hopes to tie up Michigan's Shoelace

[September 22, 2012]  SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Notre Dame isn't focusing on stopping Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on Saturday night.

After seeing Robinson gut the Notre Dame defense for 944 yards total offense in winning two straight games in the final 30 seconds, Irish coach Brian Kelly just wants to limit the damage inflicted by Robinson.

Kelly compares playing Robinson to playing an option offense, saying the key is playing disciplined. He says he doesn't want to try to make the defense too complicated, because keeping it simple allows the Fighting Irish to play fast.

The game pits two of college football's most storied programs. There's added intrigue this year as the 11th-ranked Irish (3-0) seek to crack the top 10 for the first time since 2006 and end a three-game skid to No. 18 Michigan (2-1).

[Associated Press; By TOM COYNE]

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