Fighting Irish Today

The University of Notre Dame football team (1-0) secured a hard-fought victory over Texas A&M (0-1) with a clutch eight-play, 85-yard drive in the game’s final six minutes, culminating in a decisive 21-yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love. The Irish capped the night with a stifling defensive performance and a late field goal to claim a 23-13 win at Kyle Field on Saturday evening.

Notre Dame’s defense set the tone, limiting the Aggies to just 100 passing yards. After a back-and-forth battle, the Irish pulled ahead in the third quarter with a 47-yard touchdown run from Jadarian Price. Texas A&M responded, tying the game early in the fourth quarter, but Notre Dame’s offense came alive late, melting the clock with a balanced attack. Love’s game-winning run was followed by Mitch Jeter’s third field goal, a 46-yarder, to seal the victory.

Love led the Irish rushing attack with 91 yards on 14 carries, while Price added 44 yards. Starting quarterback Riley Leonard contributed 63 rushing yards and threw for 158 more. Defensively, Jack Kiser recorded eight tackles, and Jordan Botelho added a career-high six. Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler each snagged an interception to bolster the Irish effort.

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How It Happened

First Half
Both teams opened with scoring drives, trading field goals. Texas A&M struck first with a 34-yarder, and Notre Dame responded with Mitch Jeter’s 46-yard kick, his first in an Irish uniform. Key plays included a third-down scramble by Leonard and a targeting penalty against A&M.

The defenses then took over, leading to a field position battle. Adon Shuler intercepted an overthrown Aggie pass, setting up a Notre Dame drive that stalled inside the 10-yard line. Jeter’s 26-yard field goal tied the game at 6-6 midway through the second quarter.

Late in the half, Xavier Watts intercepted a deep Aggie pass, sending the teams into halftime tied. Despite even total yardage (ND 139, A&M 127), Notre Dame’s seven penalties for 59 yards hindered their progress.

Second Half
Notre Dame opened the second half aggressively, converting a fourth-and-short before stalling on another attempt near midfield. Texas A&M failed to capitalize, with their fourth-down pass falling incomplete.

The Irish broke the stalemate on their next drive when Leonard connected with Cooper Flanagan and Beau Collins, setting up Price’s electrifying 47-yard touchdown run. Notre Dame led 13-6.

After an Aggie false start derailed their next drive, they rebounded with a 65-yard touchdown drive to tie the game at 13-13 early in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame regained momentum on a critical late drive. Leonard’s pinpoint passes to Jaden Greathouse and Collins, along with powerful runs from Love and the offensive line, brought the Irish into the red zone. Love capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run, putting Notre Dame ahead 20-13.

Closing the Game
The Irish defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs with Christian Gray breaking up the final Aggie pass attempt. Notre Dame added a final field goal from Jeter, securing the 23-13 victory.

Notre Dame now heads into their next matchup with confidence, showcasing a balanced offense and a relentless defense capable of closing out tight games.