EAST LANSING, Mich. — Spartans coach Mark Dantonio suffered a mild heart attack after Michigan State's win Saturday night. He was hospitalized early Sunday morning after experiencing symptoms of heart problems, and had surgery to insert a stent to restore blood flow.
"The procedure was successful and blood flow to the heart muscle was restored," said Dr. Chris D'Haem, an interventional cardiologist with at the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Room during a Sunday press conference. "I'm very pleased with the outcome of the procedure."
D'Haem said that the damage was minimal and the surgery is "relatively common," but that Dantonio will remain in the hospital for a few more days as a precaution.
"He is young, in excellent shape, and the damage to his heart was minimal," D'Haem said. "Coach Dantonio made the right decision to come in and get checked out immediately."
Nail-biters
Notre Dame's 34-31 loss to Michigan State marks the ninth time out of the last 11 contests between the two teams that have been decided by seven points or less. Eight of those nine games have seen the game-winning score come either late in the fourth quarter or in overtime. In 2002, Irish receiver Arnaz Battle took a short pass for 60 yards and scored with 1:15 left to defeat the Spartans. Michigan State running back Jason Teague scored from 19 yards out in overtime in 2005 to give the Spartans a 44-41 win after Notre Dame had erased a 21-point deficit to force overtime.
Record breaker
With his sixth catch of the night, senior running back Armando Allen became Notre Dame's all-time leading pass catcher among running backs. He passed Darius Walker, who previously held the record with 109 catches. Allen is only 171 more all-purpose yards to pass 1989 All-American Raghib "Rocket" Ismail for fifth on Notre Dame's all-time list.
Passing attack
Irish junior quarterback Dayne Crist set career highs in pass completions (32), pass attempts (55), passing yards (369) and touchdown passes (four). His touchdown mark was the highest for any Irish quarterback making his first road start.
Junior receiver Michael Floyd has now scored touchdowns in three straight games against Michigan State. Floyd also tied Maurice Stovall for sixth all-time on Notre Dame's touchdown list. Saturday was his fourth career multi-touchdown game.
