SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Take that, Notre Dame.

No. 11 Michigan finally put a Big Blue bruising on the second-ranked Fighting Irish in a 47-21 rout Saturday — the most points scored against Notre Dame at home in 46 years.

“They deserve their just due,” Irish coach Charlie Weis said. “I think it’s important to understand that team just came and whupped us pretty good.”

Indeed they did. Chad Henne threw three touchdown passes to Mario Manningham, and Michigan intercepted Brady Quinn three times, forced him to fumble and shut down the rest of the Irish offense.

Michigan ended a two-game losing streak against the Irish and a three-game slide at Notre Dame Stadium. The win likely silenced doubters who questioned Michigan after a 7-5 season and two less-than-impressive wins to open this season.

“This was going to be our big test,” said LaMarr Woodley, who returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown. “We passed the test today.”

Prescott Burgess intercepted Quinn on the second play of the game to set the tone. Michigan (3-0) was ahead 26-7 before the Irish (2-0) had their initial first down.

The 47 points were second only to the 51 scored at Notre Dame by Purdue in 1960.

“They stopped us in the passing game. They stopped us in the running game. They beat our defense. They really just beat our complete team,” Irish tailback Darius Walker said. “It was a complete team loss.”

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The win had to be a relief for Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. He’s been under fire for failing to win big games the past two seasons — twice in bowl games, and twice each to Notre Dame and Ohio State. Carr, now 4-1 against No. 2 teams and 16-6 against Top 10 teams.

“When you can win against a rival like that, believe me, it’s special, because it’s hard,” Carr said.

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For Notre Dame, the loss was another setback on its road to restore its storied program. In 2000, there was a 41-9 loss to Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl when the Irish were No. 10; three years ago it was a 38-0 loss to Michigan; and last year it was a 34-20 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl when the Irish were ranked No. 4.

Weis said he never saw a rout coming.

“I was surprised that we collectively, from me on down, laid an egg,” he said. “I expected us to have a better performance.”

It was just the eighth time the Irish have given up at least 40 points at home.

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The Wolverines jumped on Notre Dame mistakes, including a pass that sailed through the hands of tight end John Carlson to Burgess, who returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Then Manningham was left open for a 69-yard touchdown catch and David Grimes fumbled a kickoff return that set up a 2-yard TD run by Mike Hart, who finished with 124 yards on 31 carries.

Henne then threw TD passes of 20 and 22 yards to Manningham to make it 34-7. The 34 points were the most allowed in a half by Notre Dame since 1998 when the Irish gave up 42 points in the first half in a 45-3 loss at Michigan State.

The 34 first-half points by an opponent were the most since Purdue scored 45 in its’ 51-19 win in 1960.