Exciting Season Opener: Notre Dame Beats Texas A&M 23-13
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – In a thrilling matchup, Jeremiyah Love’s 21-yard touchdown run with 1:54 left sealed the deal for No. 7 Notre Dame against No. 20 Texas A&M, with a final score of 23-13 in the season opener for both teams.
Love’s spectacular play saw him breaking through the line, evading two defenders, and cruising into the end zone to give the Fighting Irish the lead.
The game saw intense moments, with Christian Gray intercepting Conner Weigman’s pass on fourth down, securing victory for Notre Dame. Mitch Jeter’s 46-yard field goal in the final seconds put the icing on the cake for the Fighting Irish.
Riley Leonard shined in his Notre Dame debut, showcasing his skills with 158 passing yards and 63 rushing yards.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman commended his team’s efforts, stating, “The defense played lights out, (forced) turnovers, and our offense didn’t make any detrimental mistakes.”
Debut of Coach Elko
Saturday marked the debut of Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who joined the team from Duke this season. Disappointed with the team’s performance, Elko emphasized the need for improvement to elevate the program.
Running Wild
Notre Dame dominated with 198 rushing yards, led by Love who contributed 91 yards. Jadarian Price’s breathtaking 47-yard TD run showcased Notre Dame’s offensive prowess.
Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York acknowledged the need to strengthen the run defense after conceding 198 rushing yards to Notre Dame.
TV Moment: Weigman’s Resilience
A memorable scene unfolded with Weigman vomiting on the sideline in the second half but displaying resilience. Coach Elko clarified that it was a minor incident, stating, “Puke and rally.”
Key Takeaways
Notre Dame’s solid defense limited Texas A&M to 246 yards, securing their victory. Texas A&M’s offense struggled, emphasizing the need for improvement as they head into SEC play.
Up Next
Notre Dame will host Northern Illinois next Saturday, while Texas A&M gears up to face McNeese State.
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