‘It wasn’t quite,’ however No

Dave Wilson, ESPN Staff WriterSep 1, 2024, 01:42 AM ET

Close

Dave Wilson is a college football press reporter. He formerly worked at The Dallas Early Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun.COLLEGE STATION, Texas– No. 7

Notre Dame spoiled the launching of Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and made a declaration on Saturday night, grinding out a 23-13 win over the No. 20 Aggies with a strong second-half performance in front of 107,315 at Kyle Field.The win, Notre Dame’s very first roadway win over an SEC challenger ranked in the AP poll considering that 2004, was a test of persistence for the Irish, who didn’t lead till 6:50 stayed in the 3rd quarter following a 47-yard goal diminish the left side by Jadarian Rate.” Male, that was a substantial success for our

program over a really, truly good football team,”Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said.” That is an excellent football team. … It wasn’t quite. The defense played lights out, [forced] turnovers. “It was likewise the launching of brand-new Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who played at Duke for 3 years, and began and was a team captain for two seasons under Elko, before both left following the 2023 season. He ended up 18-of-30 for 158 yards and rushed for 63 more versus an A&M protective line that Freeman said was probably the best the Irish would see all season, praising Leonard and the offense for remaining client and not making a”destructive error.” “It is difficult, especially in that environment, “Leonard stated.”

That’s an environment that I’m sure none of us have actually ever played in before. The SEC is different. Boiling down here in Texas is different. I remember searching for and trying to see the end of the stands and you actually just can’t even see the top. Extraordinary location to play. Extremely grateful for the outcome, certainly.”He stated he recognized some of his former coach’s old tricks, specifically on 3rd downs, where the Irish went 2-for-12.”I feel like there was a game within the game when playing him, “Leonard stated.”Certainly, the third-down plans are constantly big and he got me a few times with the defenses. He drew up some actually good stuff … It’s amusing due to the fact that we’re playing Notre Dame versus A&M, but there’s clearly a competition there, so to speak, with me and Coach. It’s all love at the end of the day, but we’re both really competitive.”Elko said he did not take pleasure in the experience. “It wasn’t fun, “Elko said. “I knew it wouldn’t be. He made a bunch of big-time plays.

… He did what he did and made enough plays to win the football game. I informed him I liked him after the game. I will be rooting for that kid for the rest of his life.” The Irish’s defense suppressed the Aggies’offense all night, holding them to 246 yards and bothering Aggies starter Conner Weigman into a substandard efficiency, going 12-of-30 for 100 backyards passing with 2 interceptions, including just 5-for-16 for 61 yards on tosses 5 or more lawns downfield. The Aggies ’13 points were their fewest in a season opener considering that 2000, likewise against Notre Dame.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”A big tone-setter,”Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler said.” The hype is kind of what we desired and we dealt with business.” For the huge Aggies crowd, it was a letdown to the enjoyment of Elko’s debut

following

the dismissal of Jimbo Fisher and his massive$ 77.6 million buyout. The Aggies could not get the offense going, and ultimately, the Irish’s ground game took control of, hurrying for 198 yards and managing the game late. The ground game used down the Aggies late, rushing for 133 lawns and 2 touchdowns after halftime, including 85 backyards after contact, according to ESPN Stats & Details research. Jeremiyah Love had 91 rushing backyards and his first profession hurrying goal against an FBS challenger. “They came in here and they beat us,”said Elko, a former Notre Dame protective planner. “There was really no 2 ways around it.”For the Irish, it was a strong start in Year 3 for Freeman, who is wanting to end up being the very first Irish coach to

win 9 or more games in each of his very first 3 seasons because Dan Devine in 1975-77. Freeman went 9-4 and 10-3 in his first two years, and the Irish are

favored to win each game on the rest of the schedule according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.Leonard thinks this first win was a huge action.”I feel like if we can go into this environment and beat a group like that, that’s coached along with they are, I feel like that gives us all the self-confidence worldwide to enter into any environment in the country,”Leonard stated.