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Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Irish settle for tie with Spartans
By Larry Schwartz
Special to ESPN.com


Notre Dame's second "Game of the Century" in 20 years ends the way the first one did -- in a tie. The Fighting Irish, who played Army to a scoreless tie in 1946, settles for a 10-10 deadlock against No. 2 Michigan State in the battle of unbeatens in East Lansing, Mich.

No. 1-ranked Notre Dame, behind second-string sophomore quarterback Coley O'Brien, rallies from a 10-point second-quarter deficit. It ties the game on Joe Azzaro's 28-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. However, a missed 41-yard field goal by Azzaro keeps the game tied.

With 1:24 left, Notre Dame gets the ball back on its own 30-yard line. The Irish has completed just 8-of-24 passes and coach Ara Parseghian refuses to test the Bubba Smith-led defense. He plays for the tie and lets the clock expire.

Though Notre Dame doesn't win the game, it will remain first in the polls and will win the national championship.





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