SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis expects to undergo surgery in the next few days after tearing ligaments in his left knee when an Irish player was blocked into him during a punt return late in the second quarter.

"Tommy Brady's got nothing on me," Weis joked afterward, talking about the Patriots quarterback he used to coach when he was New England's offensive coordinator.

Brady injured his knee in the Patriots first game and is out for the season.

Despite Weis' injury that had him on crutches the rest of the game with his leg in a wrap, Weis was in a good mood following the 35-17 victory over Michigan.

"I feel like an athlete. First time in my life," he said.

The injury occurred when Irish defensive end John Ryan, who is 6-5, 264 pounds, was blocked and crashed into Weis in the leg. Weis was looking in the other direction because the ball carrier had run past him.

"I never saw it coming. I just knew as soon as I was hit," he said.

Weis said he took a moment to get up because he wanted to regain his composure. Weis, who can't move too quickly because he has problems with his feet after a problem following gastric bypass surgery, said he is usually careful on the sideline.

Weis said he tore both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. He said he could undergo surgery as early as Tuesday. He is not expected to miss the game Saturday at Michigan State.