Jeremiyah Love rushed for 91 yards on 14 carries, while Jadarian Price added 44 yards, and starting quarterback Riley Leonard contributed 63 yards on the ground along with 158 passing yards. Defensively, Jack Kiser led the Notre Dame Irish with eight tackles, and Jordan Bothelho achieved a career-high six tackles. The defense also recorded interceptions from Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler as they limited Texas A&M to just 100 passing yards.
Notre Dame’s defense stifled Texas A&M’s final drive, allowing Mitch Jeter to execute his third field goal of the night—a 46-yarder—to secure a 23-13 victory at Kyle Field on Saturday evening.
The game began with both teams scoring field goals, with A&M connecting from 34 yards and Jeter responding with a 46-yarder following a crucial third-down scramble by Leonard and a targeting penalty against A&M’s Dalton Brooks.
After trading punts, A&M gained field position at their own 37-yard line and converted a second field goal from 49 yards to take a 6-3 lead early in the second quarter. Notre Dame regained possession, but after an interception by Adon Shuler, the Irish managed to tie the game at 6-6 with a 26-yard field goal.
The first half ended with both teams deadlocked at 6-6. Notre Dame was penalized seven times for 59 yards, while total yards were nearly equal (ND 139, A&M 127) and both teams combined for only three successful third-down conversions out of twelve attempts.
As the second half began, Notre Dame converted a crucial fourth-and-short, but was then stopped on their next fourth-down attempt. A&M moved into Irish territory but failed on a long pass attempt. Notre Dame’s offense found its rhythm, with Leonard connecting on passes before Jadarian Price scored with a 47-yard touchdown run, putting the Irish up 13-6.
Texas A&M responded with a 65-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The Irish answered back, with Leonard throwing for key conversions before Love scored the game-winning touchdown on a 21-yard run.
The Irish defense ended the game decisively, forcing Texas A&M to go four-and-out. Jeter capped the night with a 46-yard field goal, finalizing the score at 23-13 for Notre Dame’s season opener.