Irish take steps, but …

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The offense reached the end zone twice after falling short in three games.

A running back emerged from the rubble, reviving faith for the nation's worst rushing attack.

The defense held its ground for 30 minutes. Jubilant Notre Dame players ran to the locker room at halftime, geeked about trailing by only 3 points.

Is this what progress looks like?

That was the question after Notre Dame lost 31-14 to Michigan State, slipping to 0-4 for the first time in the team's 121-year history.

That was the question after the Fighting Irish lost their sixth consecutive game, marking their longest losing streak since 1960.

That was the question after a week of "training camp" provided early momentum but not the ability to sustain it, keeping Notre Dame as the lone BCS team without a win.

Was this progress?

"We're taking steps, steps in a better direction," said sophomore James Aldridge, who had 104 rushing yards on 18 carries. "Hopefully, we'll start taking more steps and get something together."

Was Saturday enough to build around?

"They have to believe there's going to be a payoff," third-year coach Charlie Weis said. "At this point, there's been no payoff."

Michigan State (4-0) cashed in after waiting a year for another crack at Notre Dame. Last season the Spartans blew a 16-point fourth-quarter lead, setting off a tailspin that led to coach John L. Smith's firing and another bowl-less winter.

There was no letdown Saturday as Michigan State became the first team ever to win six straight at Notre Dame Stadium.

"Our guys have been mocked, our guys have been made fun of, there was a coaching change," first-year coach Mark Dantonio said. "We were very, very emotional."

After squandering early chances, Michigan State channeled those emotions to take control on the first possession of the second half. Building off a 52-yard Devin Thomas kickoff return, the Spartans marched 45 yards, scoring on a 16-yard fade pass from Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell.

With running backs Javon Ringer (144 yards) and Jehuu Caulcrick (83 yards) eroding the Irish defense, Michigan State put away the game late in the third quarter. On fourth-and-2 from the Notre Dame 30-yard line, Hoyer fumbled the snap, collected it and found tight end Kellen Davis, who had scooted behind linebacker Maurice Crum.

Turns out, Hoyer's fumble was intentional, part of a trick play.

"As soon as I see a linebacker step up, I can release," said Davis, who had 2 touchdowns. "(Crum) stepped up, and I was able to get by him."

The Irish scored their first offensive touchdown of the season less than five minutes in after an unintentional Hoyer fumble set them up at the Spartans' 9-yard line. Notre Dame later mounted an impressive 80-yard touchdown drive behind Aldridge and freshman Robert Hughes.

But that was it for the pass-challenged Irish offense. Freshman Jimmy Clausen completed 7 of 13 passes for only 53 yards, fumbled once and was sacked three times, often holding the ball too long.

Junior Evan Sharpley replaced Clausen with 11:37 remaining and the Irish within striking distance.

"He shows disappointment," said Weis, who spoke to Clausen after making the change, "but he doesn't show those far-away eyes."

Just how far away Clausen and the Irish are from a win remains a mystery.

"What you have to guard against is them starting to just go off the ship," Weis said.

As players left the field, a fan held a sign that read "We believe."

Do the Irish?

"We're not going to go out there and not try," defensive end Trevor Laws said. "We're here to play football and win games."