Notre Dame Football: Irish get a big road win over Texas A&M, 23-13

The strongest storyline going into Notre Dame’s game against the Texas A&M Aggies was that it was going to be a defensive battle throughout the night. For the most part… that storyline was accurate.

You can also add poor passing by both teams and a lot of penalties — especially by the Irish.

Texas A&M got things started on the first drive and moved slowly down field thanks to a couple of offsides jumps by the Irish defensive line. Notre Dame was able to hold the Aggies to a field goal, and the Notre Dame offense answered with a field goal drive of its own.

After a minute of play in the second quarter, the Aggies kicked in another field goal to take a 6-3 lead. The Riley Leonard led offense looked stagnant and handcuffed, and had to punt it back to the Aggies. Quickly, however, Connor Wiegman let one sail downfield and Adon Shuler intercepted the ball. Notre Dame was able to move the ball just enough for Mitch Jeter to knock in another field goal to make it 6-6.

When Notre Dame got the ball back to start the second half, Marcus Freeman was ready to risk it all early. The Irish converted a 4th down deep in their own territory, but on the same drive, they turned the ball over on downs on a very bad spot on a 4th down run. Fortunately, Notre Dame returned the favor by stopping the Aggies on 4th down on the ensuing drive.

Four plays after the 4th down stop, Notre Dame finally gets into the end zone thanks to a 47 yard Jadarian Price run down the sideline. With the Irish now up 13-6, they forced A&M to punt the ball after a short 8 play drive. It was an opportunity to blow the game open, but instead, the Irish went three and out.

The Aggies capitalized on Notre Dame’s offensive woes by answering with a touchdown drive of their own — which was helped by several Notre Dame penalties.

After more punts were exchanged, the Irish went 85 yards on 8 plays and ended it with a 21 yard Jeremiyah Love touchdown run to go up 20-13. The drive took 4:29 off the clock, and the Aggies got the ball back with 1:58 left in the game.

Notre Dame stopped the Aggies on the next drive when Christian Gray defended a pass on 4th and 2 to get the ball back. Notre Dame did just enough, and sent Mitch Jeter in to kick a field goal to make it 23-13 and ice the game with less than 40 seconds left.

Irish win — more to come on OFD.