Riley Leonard, No. 7 Notre Dame Championed By CFB Fans After Road Win vs. Texas A&M
Julia StumbaughSeptember 1, 2024
Jack Gorman/Getty Images
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard’s bid to lead his new team back to the College Football Playoff is off to a victorious start.
The Fighting Irish pulled ahead late to claim a 23-13 win against host Texas A&M on Saturday night in a back-and-forth battle between ranked opponents.
Jeremiyah Love ran in a 21-yard touchdown with fewer than two minutes left on the clock to seal the victory.
Notre Dame Football @NDFootballGOTTA LOVE IT#GoIrish☘️ | @JeremiyahLove pic.twitter.com/JAZjSjbPgo
ESPN @espnGIG WHO? 👎
THE FIGHTING IRISH START OFF STRONG IN COLLEGE STATION 💪 pic.twitter.com/yryCu8fKH5
Notre Dame’s ability to break the tie late in the fourth on enemy territory impressed fans hoping to see the Fighting Irish back in the CFP for the first time since 2020 this winter.
Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbachNotre Dame won the toughest game on its schedule and has a clear path to the CFP.
Yes, I’m tweeting this in Week 1. And I feel fine about it.
Dan Orlovsky @danorlovsky7Marcus Freeman can coach
Never too high never too low
Woad @WoadmoonNotre Dame gets it done at Kyle Field. Wasn’t pretty but that’s a tough place to play.
JB @JBAudaxNotre Dame with a tough win in College Station against Texas A&M. Think they are a playoff team, but real question is really how the offense will evolve, more notably the offensive line and receivers as the season progresses. Have to keep focus. #NotreDame #CollegeFootball 🍀
Ian 😇 🧀 @halocheeseheadI hate to say it but Notre Dame looks for real. They won in a tough road environment and Marcus Freeman is a gutsy coach who has his team ready to run through brick walls.
Nick Cattles @NickCRadioIt worked. Great win with a young O-Line, on the road, and in a very tough environment. Just gotta clean up the flags. #NotreDame https://t.co/j56Jk9yNUn
Wayne Davis @TheYoungWDThis Notre Dame team is tough. Great win on the road tonight at a ranked SEC team.
Slim @livejetlifeTough game but Notre dame did the damn thing Tonight..much better team than last year
The season opener got off to a slow start as neither Notre Dame nor Texas A&M made it to the end zone through two quarters. The teams went into the halftime break tied 6-6.
Travis Tyler @TravisTyler__Texas A&M 6 Notre Dame 6 at the half.
Probably expected a little more juice from the offenses but these defenses have been as advertised
manny @patsandbruins9Hopefully the Notre dame offense can lock in. Defense been saving us all game
The Fighting Irish finally sparked some offense in the third quarter as running back Jadarian Price ran for a 47-yard touchdown to put Notre Dame ahead.
Notre Dame Football @NDFootball4️⃣7️⃣ YARDS TO THE HOUSE
THE KID FROM DENISON, TEXAS
📺 ABC#GoIrish☘️ | @Jadarian15 pic.twitter.com/3qvUkc4n51
Jett Beachum @JetthroTVWe’ve got a touchdown in College Station and it only took until the 3rd quarter
What a run by Jadarian Price
Kaleb Blanton @thekalebblantonJadarian Price! Heck of a move to get to the outside. #NotreDame finally breaks through for a TD. It’s getting interesting now.
Brandin🏵 @gotmybrands_onJadarian Price has NFL speed we just saw it on full display on that touchdown
Notre Dame struggled to get the ball back into the end zone following Price’s score, eventually allowing Texas A&M to tie the game with a rushing touchdown from Le’Veon Moss.
But the Fighting Irish offensive line stood tall late to help get the ball down the field before Love scored his go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes.
Notre Dame finished the game with 158 passing yards compared to 198 rushing yards. Leonard connected on 18 of 30 passes for 158 yards, while adding 63 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Chris ‘Deuce’ Waddell @deucemuneyNotre Dame must lean on their rushing attack moving forward. Key identity for their offense as they have something SERIOUS brewing w/ Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, & even Riley Leonard.
Vince Miller @vincemiller170 sacks allowed. 198 rushing yards. 3.6 yards per play allowed. If the passing game comes around, Notre Dame will be a legit contender.
Notre Dame returns to action next Saturday for the home opener against Northern Illinois. Texas A&M meanwhile will look for the team’s first win of the season when they return to Kyle Field to take on McNeese State the same day.
