Notre Dame escapes College Station, Texas, with a hard-fought week one victory.
Photo Via Notre Dame Athletics
This past year, Marcus Freeman told his team to "choose hard." With 107,315 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, the Fighting Irish had no other choice.
The storyline coming into the game was the head-to-head matchup between the Notre Dame offensive line and the Texas A&M defensive front. Throughout the game, the Aggies front seven had their way with the inexperienced youth of the Notre Dame offensive line. Only totaling six total starts heading into the game, the Fighting Irish pass protectors had to improvise and learn on the spot.
Communication was the biggest issue for the Fighting Irish early on. A couple offsides penalties on hard clap counts lengthened Texas A&M drives and eventually led to a pair of field goals.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Fighting Irish evaded the running back room in the first half of the game. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price only combined for nine total carries in the first half.
The Notre Dame offense was given great field position by the work of the Notre Dame defense. Sophomore safety Adon Shuler had a crucial interception that led to three points, and Xavier Watts, the nation's leading ball-hawk last year, picked off Conner Weigman, as well.
Going into halftime tied 6-6, adjustments needed to be made.
With the Irish deferring the opening kick, Marcus Freeman had a chance to display how far he's matured as a head coach. Two years ago, against Ohio State, the Irish were playing in Columbus trying not to lose. This year, Freeman showed his aggressive nature that featured two fourth down runs from Riley Leonard. The first was successful, the latter was not*, (replay review is a joke).
Nonetheless, the aggressive nature and trust that Freeman had in his team was eventually rewarded. After the Irish turned the ball over on downs, the Aggies' next drive ended the same way on a miscommunication on whether or not Jordan Botelho jumped offsides; he didn't.
With great starting field position, the Irish finally got a chunk play in Jadarian Price's 47-yard touchdown run. The Denison, Texas, native had a good showing, ending with 44 total yards on eight carries.
After a pair of punts, one from each team, the Aggies scored on a 10-play, 65-yard drive that was aided by three Notre Dame penalties. With the score knotted up at 13 a piece, both the Irish and Aggies had short drives that ended with punts.
Enter Freeman's "choose hard" mantra.
Tied game.
6:12 left.
Ball at your own 15.
107,315 people.
Go win the game.
With their backs against the wall, the offensive line provided their best drive of the night. An acrobatic catch by Beaux Collins jumpstarted the drive, but the Irish running attack finished it. Jeremiyah Love had his first big game moment, as he put the Irish ahead on a hard-nosed 21-yard touchdown run between the tackles.
With the Irish defense knowing the passing attack was coming, Al Golden dialed up his best work. The Aggies eventually worked themselves to a 4th and 2, but a quick pass was snuffed out by sophomore corner Christian Gray. Gray, who won his spot in fall camp, made the biggest play of the game, and iced the fate of the Aggies.
A couple of runs set up a Mitch Jeter 46-yard field goal that put the nail in the coffin. Jeter finished the game 3/3, and was one of the game's biggest impact players.
While the game wasn't pretty in the slightest, Notre Dame found a way to win in one of the most raucous environments in college football. The Irish leaned on their stellar defense all game, but in the end, the offense won the game. There's a reason why defensive coordinator Al Golden and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock are two of the highest paid coordinators in all of college football: they get it done when it mattered the most.
What a win for the Irish, and what a way to start the season.
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I agree replay is a joke, he was a good foot passed the line to gain!