Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the moment you’ve been waiting for since December 9, 2009: Brian Keith Kelly is dancing in the locker room.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish absolutely crushed the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. If you think this is an overstatement, please leave in the comments at which point in the game you thought Michigan State actually looked competitive. There was a lot to love in this game for Irish fans, so let’s get to it.

THE GOOD

QB1!!

Well, I hate to say I told you so but, I told you so. On Saturday, Brandon Wimbush was a superb passing quarterback. SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING NEGATIVE LAST WEEK, IRISH FANS. I’ll let Mike McGlinchey take it from here:

We saw a much more aggressive offensive game plan on Saturday night and I only got frustrated about too many screen plays like, twice. That’s a record, folks.

Wimbush ended up with 225 total yards and 1 TD, but he looked about a thousand times more accurate than against Boston College and had some pretty huge plays.

Running backs!!

We finally saw the return of Dexter Williams this weekend and he finished with 40 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. The touchdown catch in the 2nd quarter was just spicy enough to make Notre Dame fans whine that he didn’t get any snaps in the Georgia game. By the end of the game, four running backs had at least eight carries. One running back in particular made an impression on me, because I had never heard of him before Saturday. If you knew who Deon McIntosh was before Saturday night, congratulations! Playing a 4th string running back and seeing him score a TD is some serious Bill Belichick shit and I applaud it. Congrats Deon.

Turnovers!

BE STILL, MY HEART.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The Irish may have let up almost 500 yards, but held the Spartans to only 18 points (the last touchdown came late in the 4th so does it really even count?) A pick-6 and 2 fumbles, including one at the goal line, made my cry tears of joy.

Look at this pure, unadulterated athleticism. I would like to think that the absurd goal line forced fumble in the Bears-Steelers game on Sunday was inspired by Shaun Crawford.

But enough happy memories, here is what made me very angry on Saturday night.

BAD

Targeting

Targeting was called on Michigan State for this hit on Brandon Wim-but wait, no wait. No it wasn’t. The refs thought this was fine.

Wimbush got absolutely flattened with another man’s helmet and there was nary a whistle.

For reference, earlier in the day, an FSU player was called for targeting and ejected for this arm-to-helmet contact. If you want to read more about targeting, this post provides clarity.

The hit on Wimbush was clear helmet-to-helmet, but did not even get a review. Most college football fanatics agree that the targeting rule isn’t perfect, but the way it’s enforced is downright stupid. If the rule is to protect quarterbacks and defenseless players from head injuries, surely watching Wimbush stagger up after this play should have been enough to trigger a second look from officials.

Me and BK will probably be angry about that one for a while and my anger will only be exacerbated when a Notre Dame player is called for targeting at some point this season.

IRISH

Golden Tate from the archives

Golden shared with us on twitter this weekend an oldie, but a goodie.

If you don’t remember this specific moment in Irish history, here is a video of the play. It was truly one of the most amazing things that mine eyes hath ever witnessed.

MORE BRIAN KELLY

Two weeks ago I called Brian Kelly immature and rude for being short during a press conference. Now, I’m watching Brian Kelly dance to Post Malone. It is truly the end times. Luckily for BK, Dexter Williams was quick to defend him for his moves:

Everyone, relax. He’s still learning.

What was your favorite moment of this celebration? The dancing? Quenton Nelson picking up Kelly? Mine was Kelly getting the megaphone and proclaiming, “THAT’S A MEGAPHONE” That’s good shit. Keep it up, BK. MORE DANCING, LESS YELLING.

Here’s the thing though, we even saw a Brian Kelly smile before the Irish won. Has Brian Kelly 2.0 finally arrived, glitch-free?

Only time will tell.

I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Sadly, was the first Notre Dame game of the season that I did not witness in person. But that also means that I got to watch all the other wonderful college football games that were played this weekend. Including a game where Clemson and Boston College were tied 7-7 going into the 4th quarter. And I thought our game against Boston College was a nail-biter!!!

I can’t believe it’s already Week 5... This season is really flying, my friends. David Pollack said it best this weekend:

GO IRISH! BEAT redhawks?