Notre Dame Wins Epic Defensive Battle With Texas A&M

© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

No.7 Notre Dame (1-0) outlasted No.20 Texas A&M (0-1) with a season-opening 23-13 road victory in a defensive slugfest on Aug. 31 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

In a game where points were at a premium, the Fighting Irish found some scoring and success in their running game in the second half as they pulled away and let their defense shut the door on a struggling A&M offense.

Game Summary

Leading 6-3 early in the second quarter, Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman overthrew a receiver in the middle of the field, and Notre Dame defensive back Adon Shuler came up with an interception. After a defensive pass interference penalty on Texas A&M's Tyreek Chappell, the Aggie defense held firm to keep the Fighting Irish out of the end zone and force a Notre Dame field goal to tie the game at 6.

A&M got some late completions and had a chance to mount a drive before halftime, but Weigman threw another interception—this time to Xavier Watts near midfield. Weigman was 7 of 17 for just 68 yards in the first half and finished the game with just 100 passing yards.

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No Aggies receiver had more than 31 yards in the game, and running back Le'Veon Moss scored the team's only touchdown, tying the game at 13 on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

That run seemed to reenergize a fading home crowd, but Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love subsequently broke loose for a 21-yard score to put the Irish up 20-13. ND then held off Texas A&M's last attempts to extend the game and even added a late field goal to ice the game.

Turning Point for Notre Dame

Both Notre Dame touchdowns came after crucial plays in this game.

An aggressive Notre Dame offense went for it on fourth-and-1 twice to open the second half. Quarterback Riley Leonard picked up the first down the first time with an 8-yard run on a QB Sneak, but his next attempt was stopped about an inch short at the Texas A&M 49 on a questionable call from the officials that was upheld by replay review.

The Aggies went for a fourth-and-8 on the ensuing drive, but Weigman's pass fell incomplete. That allowed the Irish to take over and score the game's first touchdown on a 47-yard run from Jadarian Price.

As the crowd tried to rally the Aggies in a 13-13 game late in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame's offense faced a second-and-1 deep in its own territory. Love took a handoff and was met immediately in the backfield. He eluded the initial attackers but may have been better off just going down as he lost 4 yards to create a third-and-5.

With the pressure on to convert, Leonard remained calm and delivered a strike to wide receiver Jaden Greathouse on an out route to pick up the first down. It was just Notre Dame's second third-down conversion of the game, and the play extended the drive, which ended with the game-winning touchdown run instead of a possible punt.

A&M needed to put a drive together to get the tying score and faced a critical fourth-and-2 with time winding down. Weigman tried to hit Jahdae Walker on a quick slant, but Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray jumped the route and broke up the pass to force a turnover on downs and allow the Irish an opportunity to add a late field goal.

What it Means

Notre Dame survived a great challenge to start 1-0, overcoming multiple penalties. If they get things cleaned up, the Fighting Irish could be an interesting team going forward, especially led by a quarterback with Leonard's capabilities, as he builds rapport with the other talented players around him.

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Notre Dame only faces two other current top-25 teams this season and will play Northern Illinois at 3:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 7.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M showed it belongs with its defense, but the offense needs some work. Weigman was off most of the night and the Aggies did not show much in the passing game. That will need to change if they hope to compete in the Southeastern Conference this season. Still, the defense remains elite and should allow A&M to stay in games.

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Texas A&M hosts McNeese State at 12:45 p.m. EST on Sept. 7 and will open SEC play at Florida (0-1) on Sept. 14. The Aggies do not face another ranked opponent until Oct.5, when they host No. 11 Missouri (1-0).