Notre Dame linebacker Carlo Calabrese celebrates with the student section after the Irish defeated Michigan 13-6 in South Bend, Ind. (US Presswire)

For ardent Michigan Wolverines’ fans, Saturday night’s six-turnover, five-interception performance eerily reminded them of another lamentable offensive performance at Notre Dame Stadium in their storied rivalry with the Irish.

In 2008, a game also played in soggy conditions, an inexperienced Michigan offense under first-year coach Rich Rodriguez lost four fumbles in a 35-17 loss. On Saturday night, a relentless Irish defense keyed a 13-6 win over the Wolverines.

Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s unit forced six turnovers for the first time since the rainy September afternoon against Michigan four years ago.

The quarterback that day for Michigan was Steven Threet, a pocket-passer who proved to be incompatible with Rodriguez’s spread offense. For many Wolverines’ fans, Threet’s performance might have been understandable. On Saturday, senior QB Denard Robinson’s effort was not.

Robinson carved up the Irish secondary last season and was unstoppable out of the backfield in finishing with 338 yards through the air and 108 on the ground. In Saturday’s loss, heavy pressure from the Irish forced interceptions by Robinson on four consecutive pass attempts in the second quarter. The Wolverines actually threw interceptions on five straight passes -- the first an attempt by RB Vincent Smith on a halfback option that was picked off by Notre Dame freshman S Nicky Baratti in the end zone.

Notre Dame senior LB Manti Te’o became the first Notre Dame player in school history to have two interceptions in a game against Michigan. DB Bennett Jackson had nine tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

“We came to win (this week) in practice,” Jackson said. “We don’t listen to everyone talking outside of us. We focus on us and work every day to get better.”

Irish sophomore DE Stephon Tuitt got his sixth sack of the season and eighth of his career. The sack went for a 10-yard loss on a critical third down in the first quarter. Tuitt entered the game ranked second in FBS in sacks with five.

Ineffective Golson pulled for Rees: Irish coach Brian Kelly lifted Everett Golson in the second quarter after the redshirt freshman threw his second interception of the first half. Golson was 3 of 8 for 30 yards when Kelly decided to replace him with Tommy Rees.

Late in the second quarter, Rees found a crease up the middle on a nice combination block by Irish C Braxston Cave and G Mike Golic Jr. The Irish junior ran 2 yards into the end zone for a 10-0 lead.

In the game’s most critical play, Rees connected with TE Tyler Eifert on a 38-yard completion from the Irish 31 with less than three minutes remaining.

Kelly said in his postgame press conference that Golson will remain the starter.

“Whatever’s asked of me I’m willing to go in and help the team win,” Rees told the Chicago Tribune.

Significant win for Kelly: With the win, the Irish improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2002. It also marked the first time in a decade that Notre Dame has pulled off consecutive wins against top-20 teams.

The victory completed an Irish sweep of Michigan and Michigan State for the first time since 2004. Kelly earned his first win against the Wolverines in four tries. In three previous games against Michigan, the winning touchdown by the Wolverines was scored with under 27 seconds left in each.

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