South Bend, Ind. — In a wild opening home game for Notre Dame, the 16th‑ranked Texas A&M Aggies roared back to stun eighth‑ranked Irish fans, 41‑40, snapping their own gut‑wrenching loss from a year ago. With the win, A&M evens the all‑time matchup between these rival programs at 3‑3.
First Half: Back-and-Forth Scoring
Notre Dame won the toss and deferred, and the Aggies struck first with a bold aerial look, until a holding penalty forced them into a quick punt. Special teams delivered the early blow—a blocked punt by Thomas Loghan allowed Tae Johnson to scoop and score for a 7‑0 Irish lead.
A&M answered immediately. On their next drive, quarterback Marcel Reed connected with Mario Craver on an 86‑yard bomb to knot the game 7‑7. The momentum shifted again when CJ Carr led a 7‑play, 75‑yard march capped by a 7‑yard touchdown run from Jadarian Price, pushing the Irish ahead 14‑7.
After a Notre Dame field goal made it 17‑7, the Aggies struck back. Reed hit Craver twice and then found KC Concepcion deep, setting up Le’Veon Moss’s short plunge to pull within three. But Notre Dame answered with a 36‑yard passing strike from Carr to Jeremiyah Love, and at halftime the Irish led 24‑21.
With time slipping away in the first half, Texas A&M marched again—Mixing runs, Reed rush‑es, and clutch passes—including a 24‑yard connection to Rueben Owens II—setting up Moss’s second goal‑line run. The score gave the Aggies a 28‑24 lead just before the break.
Second Half: Mistakes Prove Costly for Notre Dame
The third quarter opened well for Notre Dame: after pinning A&M at their own 1‑yard line, the Irish defense forced a quick punt. The ensuing return set up another finishing push—this time Price took a direct snap for a 17‑yard touchdown, nudging Notre Dame ahead 31‑28.
The teams traded field goals, tying it up at 31, then 34, as Texas A&M’s kicker Randy Bond nailed a long attempt when the offense stalled.
Late in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame reclaimed the lead with a Love rushing TD, though a botched extra point left them up only six, 40‑34.
Final Drive: A&M’s Heroic Comeback
With less than three minutes left, the Aggies seized the moment. Reed led a 74‑yard drive, aided by costly penalties from Notre Dame. On 4th‑and‑11, Reed found tight end Nate Boerkircher in triple coverage—the tight end came down with the clutch catch in the end zone. Bond’s extra point gave A&M a 41‑40 lead with just under a minute remaining.
Notre Dame’s hopes ended when Carr’s desperation pass fell incomplete and a last lateral failed, sealing the comeback victory for the Aggies on the road.
Standout Performers
Marcel Reed (A&M): Completed 17 of 37 for 360 yards, two touchdown throws, one interception.
Mario Craver: The big playmaker—7 catches, 207 receiving yards.
Le’Veon Moss: Rushed for 81 yards and three short‑yardage touchdowns.
CJ Carr (Notre Dame): 20‑of‑32 for 293 yards, one touchdown, one pick. Jeremiyah Love: Dynamic both on the ground and through the air; led ND’s backfield efforts.
What It Means:
For Texas A&M: This win is more than just three points—snapping a streak, proving resilience, and winning road in hostile territory sends a message.
For Notre Dame: A heartbreaking home opener. Plenty of really good football, but mistakes in the clutch and missed opportunities will sting.
