Unlucky Irish? After yet another close loss, Notre Dame trying to break out of difficult rut

Unlucky Irish? Notre Dame lamenting close losses

EAST LANSING, Mich. — So much for the luck of the Irish.

Whether it’s Charlie Weis or Brian Kelly in charge, Notre Dame is stuck in a rut, losing game after game by the slimmest of margins — and now on the wackiest of plays. On Saturday night, the Fighting Irish were on the wrong end of perhaps the season’s most stunning finish, allowing a touchdown to Michigan State on a fake field goal that gave the Spartans a 34-31 overtime win.

Since starting last season 6-2, Notre Dame has lost six of seven, and every defeat was by a touchdown or less.