Te'o causes problems for UM

Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, left, reacts with Zeke Motta after Te'o makes an interception Saturday against Michigan.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Denard Robinson, meet Manti Te'o.

Saturday evening, Michigan's senior quarterback got acquainted with Notre Dame's senior linebacker.

And how.

Te'o intercepted Robinson twice in the first half, including a pick that set up Tommy Rees' two-yard touchdown late in the half and was part of a defense that forced six turnovers in the first three quarters -- the most since 2008, when the Irish forced six in a 35-17 win over Michigan in South Bend.

Te'o helped the Irish grab five interceptions in the first half, the most the Irish have had in a game since 1988, when Notre Dame intercepted Purdue five times.

Much of the attention in the last week on Te'o came in the wake of the death of his grandmother and his girlfriend. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said earlier in the week that Te'o would play Saturday against Michigan, then return to his home in Hawaii to be with his family during the Irish's bye week.

Notre Dame's fans honored Te'o by wearing leis, the traditional Hawaiian garland worn for celebrations or given as a token of appreciation.

THE AURA OF ARA: Former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian and his wife, Katie, presented the United States flag and the colors Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, as part of the school's recognition of the 125th anniversary of its football program.

Parseghian coached the Irish from 1964 to 1974, won national titles in 1966 and 1973, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Joining Parseghian on the field were 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, as well as seven former Notre Dame captains.

Parseghian's nephew, Thomas, is a Sylvania resident and his great-nephews, Nathan and Jared, are graduates of St. John's Jesuit.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Sean Astin, who played former Notre Dame walk-on Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger in the 1993 movie Rudy, was in South Bend on Saturday and took part in a campaign fund-raiser for Brendan Mullen, a South Bend native who is running for Congress.

Jerome Bettis, a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection who played at Notre Dame and who is now a commentator for the NFL Network, was also at Saturday's game.

Representatives from three postseason bowls -- Florida Citrus Sports, the Gator Bowl, and the Fiesta Bowl -- were in attendance in an official capacity, while representatives from the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl were in attendance in an unofficial capacity.

THE DISH ON BTN: The Big Ten Network announced the network and DISH Network have reached an agreement that returns BTN to the Dish channel lineup.

Nine days ago, Big Ten Network announced that it had failed to reach an agreement with DISH, resulting in the satellite provider temporarily dropping the Big Ten Network from its lineup.

"We're pleased that both sides could eventually come together, and we thank fans for their patience," Elizabeth Conlisk, vice president for communications and university relations with the BTN, said in a statement.