Weis, Fighting Irish starting over

At some point this week, Notre Dame's attention will turn to Michigan State.

But on Sunday, coach Charlie Weis effectively put mirrors around the practice field. If the Fighting Irish can't fix their problems, it doesn't matter who they play.

"It's not going to be (scout) teams," Weis said after his team fell 38-0 to Michigan. "It's going to be the first offense going against the first defense. And after I wear them out, then it'll be the second offense against the second defense.

"We're going to start it all over again until I get it right."

Freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen wasn't immune from criticism after struggling in his second start. Though Clausen had little time to throw and was sacked 8 times, he fumbled and threw an interception.

Junior Evan Sharpley replaced Clausen in the fourth quarter.

"He was just a part of the problem like everything else," Weis said of Clausen.

Weis said he would form his game plan for MSU based on the reinstallation of plays that began Sunday.

"We're going to figure out some way to get better," center John Sullivan said.

Inches to go: Notre Dame has gone 311 minutes without a rushing touchdown. … After starting the season opener, senior running back Travis Thomas touched the ball only once Saturday, gaining 13 yards on a fake punt. … Notre Dame had 6 fumbles (2 lost) Saturday, its most since having 6 against Boston College in 2002. The Irish already have 12 fumbles this season, one shy of their total from all of last season. … Charlie Weis is the first Notre Dame coach to lose five straight games since Hugh Devore in 1963. Devore was fired after the season. … Notre Dame has allowed 41 tackles for loss, including 23 sacks.

Star power: Actor Russell Crowe spoke to Michigan players in their locker room before Saturday's game. Crowe became friends with Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr when he found out last year that Carr was using the film "Cinderella Man" to motivate the Wolverines.

"I could sense through what I was watching on TV that my friend was in pain," Crowe told reporters, "so I thought I'd just sort of take his mind off things and gave him a call and started teasing about it. He said, 'Get up here.' "