The strongest storyline going into Notre Dame’s recreation towards the Texas A&M Aggies was that it was going to be a defensive battle all through the night time. For probably the most half… that storyline was correct.
You may also add poor passing by each groups and lots of penalties — particularly by the Irish.
Texas A&M bought issues began on the primary drive and moved slowly down discipline because of a few offsides jumps by the Irish defensive position. Notre Dame was capable of maintain the Aggies to a discipline purpose, and the Notre Dame offense answered with a discipline purpose drive of its personal.
After a minute of play within the second quarter, the Aggies kicked in one other discipline purpose to take a 6-3 lead. The Riley Leonard led offense seemed stagnant and handcuffed, and needed to punt it again to the Aggies. Rapidly, nevertheless, Connor Wiegman let one sail downfield and Adon Shuler intercepted the ball. Notre Dame was capable of transfer the ball simply sufficient for Mitch Jeter to knock in one other discipline purpose to make it 6-6.
When Notre Dame bought the ball again to begin the second half, Marcus Freeman was able to threat all of it early. The Irish transformed a 4th down deep in their very own territory, however on the identical drive, they turned the ball over on downs on a really dangerous spot on a 4th down run. Thankfully, Notre Dame returned the favor by stopping the Aggies on 4th down on the following drive.
4 performs after the 4th down cease, Notre Dame lastly will get into the tip zone because of a 47 yard Jadarian Value run down the sideline. With the Irish now up 13-6, they compelled A&M to punt the ball after a brief 8 play drive. It was a chance to blow the sport open, however as a substitute, the Irish went three and out.
The Aggies capitalized on Notre Dame’s offensive woes by answering with a landing drive of their very own — which was helped by a number of Notre Dame penalties.
After extra punts had been exchanged, the Irish went 85 yards on 8 performs and ended it with a 21 yard Jeremiyah Love landing run to go up 20-13. The drive took 4:29 off the clock, and the Aggies bought the ball again with 1:58 left within the recreation.
Notre Dame stopped the Aggies on the following drive when Christian Grey defended a move on 4th and a pair of to get the ball again. Notre Dame did simply sufficient, and despatched Mitch Jeter in to kick a discipline purpose to make it 23-13 and ice the sport with lower than 40 seconds left.
Irish win — extra to come back on OFD.