The clash between the 7th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the 20th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies started off as a sluggish struggle. Both offenses could not find their rhythm, and the respective defenses took advantage of this. This was a seesaw field goal battle for most of the game.
Notre Dame put together two second-half scoring drives that were the difference makers. The Irish finally prevailed by a score of 23-13. This was a defensive-dominated game, and the Aggies’ first-half turnovers helped stunt their offense.
Low Scoring First Half
The Aggies lit up the scoreboard first behind the strong arm of quarterback Conner Weigman. The A&M offense found its rhythm early, and it looked like they would punch it in after a first down in the red zone. But the drive stalled, and A&M kicker Randy Bond came in and drilled a 34-yard field goal to put A&M up by three.
After Aggie defensive back Dalton Brooks was ejected for a targeting infraction, Notre Dame tied the game with a 46-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter. Neither team could ignite their offenses on their ensuing drives and the first quarter ended tied at 3-3.
Turnovers and More Field Goals
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A&M dominated to start the second quarter. After some hard-earned rushing yards, Bond converted again, this time from 49 yards out to push the Aggies in front 6-3. Notre Dame could get nothing going on their attack as the Aggies continually put pressure on Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. But A&M threw it away on their next drive when Weigman attempted to thread a pass to Noah Thomas. But Fighting Irish defensive back Adon Shuler picked the ball off and the Irish took over on the Aggie 29-yard line.
However, once again, the Notre Dame offense came up empty and Jeter stepped in to boot a 26-field goal to knot the game. Now, Notre Dame’s defense started to assert themselves. One Aggie drive ended due to a sack and Weigman threw his second pick to end another to bring the half to a close with the scored tied at 6-6.
Notre Dame Takes Control
After an exchange of possessions, the Irish offense finally blew off its cobwebs. They marched down the field quickly with a four play, 63-yard drive, which culminated with an electrifying 47-yard touchdown romp by Jadarian Price to bolt Notre Dame into a 13-6 lead.
But A&M was not yet finished for the night. Weigman marshalled them down the field for a 10 play, 65-yard drive punctuated by Le’Veon Moss smashing in from one yard out to tie the game at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Irish Once Again
But this night belonged to Notre Dame. Deftly mixing the run and the pass, the Irish proceeded down the field thanks to a 20-yard reception by Beaux Collins and a dashing 18-yard run by Jeremiyah Love to punch the ball down to the Aggie 21-yard line. And Love would take it from there with a touchdown run up the middle that just about broke A&M’s back.
The Aggies turned the ball over on downs and Jeter came in to put a bow on the win with another 46-yard field goal to send Notre Dame back to South Bend with a hard-earned victory. Love finished the night with 91 yards on 14 carries and the touchdown. Leonard only threw for 158 yards, but he added 63 on the ground to help his cause.
What’s Next
Next week, Notre Dame returns to Indiana to face the Northern Illinois Huskies. And Texas A&M stays home in College Station to take on the McNeese State Cowboys.
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