Texas A&M stuns Notre Dame: Last-minute go-ahead TD pushes Aggies past Irish in wild shootout

Texas A&M's Marcel Reed led his team on a 13-play, 74 yard drive for the game's winning touchdown

No. 16 Texas A&M stunned No. 8 Notre Dame 41-40 on Saturday night, snapping a 13-game road losing streak against top-10 opponents dating back to 2015.

The Aggies' breakthrough came on a fourth-and-goal play that will live in program lore. Quarterback Marcel Reed fired an 11-yard strike to blocking tight end Nate Boerkircher, a former Nebraska walk-on with just 21 career catches entering his sixth season. Boerkircher hauled in the game-winner, sealing a historic victory at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame had briefly taken the lead after coach Marcus Freeman opted to go for it on fourth-and-one in the red zone. Running back Jeremiyah Love converted, then scored on a 12-yard touchdown run one play later. But the Irish botched the extra point when holder Tyler Buchner mishandled the snap, leaving the door open for A&M.

Reed finished with 360 yards passing and two touchdowns, while wideout Mario Craver erupted for 207 yards and a score on seven catches. Love led Notre Dame with 94 rushing yards and a touchdown but came up just short.

Read on below for takeaways from Texas A&M's big win over Notre Dame on Saturday. 

[Sep 14, 2025 at 12:00 am ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M went a full decade without a road win over a top 10 opponent. In every moment like this in previous years, they've crumbled. The Aggies only needed to go on the road and beat Auburn to make the SEC title game last year. They blew it. They had a chance to beat Notre Dame in the fourth quarter last year. It slipped away. 

This has been the story of Texas A&M football for nearly the entire 21st Century. Outside of a brief glimpse of Johnny Manziel's brilliance, the Aggies don't even have a 10-win season to their name since 1998. 

Will the arm of Marcel Reed and catch of former walk-on tight end Nate Boerkircher prove to be the magic moment that lifts the curses holding Texas A&M right in the good-but-not-good-enough reality? Who knows. But under the watchful eye of Football Jesus, it sure felt like breaking through those final moments and finally landing on the right side of some magical luck is a moment that will be remembered. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 11:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Heading into the weekend, Notre Dame's path to the College Football Playoff appeared straightforward. After Saturday's loss to No. 16 Texas A&M, that clarity has vanished. The Fighting Irish are 0-2, falling to two ranked opponents, and the rest of the schedule offers few opportunities for signature wins.

USC could climb back into the rankings, and Boise State might make a return as well. Beyond that, Notre Dame faces a tough road to accumulate quality victories.

Last season, the Irish lost to Northern Illinois in Week 2 yet still climbed to the No. 7 seed in the CFP, aided by a win over then-No. 20 Texas A&M and three additional ranked victories. This year, that kind of runway doesn't exist. Barring chaos elsewhere, Notre Dame's playoff hopes are effectively over.

[Sep 13, 2025 at 11:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver has already made his mark in College Station, but his breakout against No. 8 Notre Dame was on another level.

The Mississippi State transfer torched the Irish's highly regarded secondary for seven catches, 207 yards and a touchdown in the Aggies' 41-40 upset. He opened the scoring with an 86-yard strike in the first quarter, breaking a tackle and racing to the end zone.

Craver's 200-yard performance was the first by an Aggie since Mike Evans went for 279 yards against No. 1 Alabama in 2013. It also continued a fast start to the season after he totaled 13 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games.

Craver managed just 368 yards last year at Mississippi State, but Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said his own defensive backs considered Craver one of their toughest matchups. Now, he's quickly become the Aggies' go-to playmaker.

[Sep 13, 2025 at 11:41 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

FINAL: Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40

No. 16 Texas A&M stunned No. 8 Notre Dame 41-40 on Saturday night, snapping a 13-game road losing streak against top-10 opponents dating back to 2015.

The Aggies' breakthrough came on a fourth-and-goal play that will live in program lore. Quarterback Marcel Reed fired an 11-yard strike to blocking tight end Nate Boerkircher, a former Nebraska walk-on with just 21 career catches entering his sixth season. Boerkircher hauled in the game-winner, sealing a historic victory at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame had briefly taken the lead after coach Marcus Freeman opted to go for it on fourth-and-one in the red zone. Running back Jeremiyah Love converted, then scored on a 12-yard touchdown run one play later. But the Irish botched the extra point when holder Tyler Buchner mishandled the snap, leaving the door open for A&M.

Reed finished with 360 yards passing and two touchdowns, while wideout Mario Craver erupted for 207 yards and a score on seven catches. Love led Notre Dame with 94 rushing yards and a touchdown but came up just short.

[Sep 13, 2025 at 11:19 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M returner Terry Bussey seemed to have a game-changing return for a touchdown, but tight end Theo Ohrstrom was called for a costly hold that brought the points back. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 11:17 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

4Q: Notre Dame 40, Texas A&M 34

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman leaned on his best player in the biggest spot. Facing fourth-and-one with only minutes remaining, running back Jeremiyah Love took a direct snap and converted a huge first down. One play later, he broke through for a 12-yard touchdown to give them a huge lead. 

One massive swing: Notre Dame holder Tyler Buchner whiffed the hold. The lead is only six. Texas A&M can win with a touchdown. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 10:58 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

After getting evaluated in the medical tent, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed returned to the game and immediately delivered a strike to receiver Terry Bussey. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 10:55 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed needed medical attention after getting smashed on a hit by a Notre Dame defender. There appeared to be a miscommunication on a play, so Reed took the ball himself into the teeth of the Notre Dame defense, where he was pummeled by Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler. 

After the play, Shuler was called for targeting and assessed a 15-yard penalty. He will now miss the first half of the Irish's next game against Purdue in Week 4. 

Backup quarterback Miles O'Neill started warming up after seeing Reed go down. The redshirt freshman won the backup job before the season and has completed 57% of his passes for 101 yards, one touchdown and one interception in limited opportunity. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 10:43 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

End 3Q: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 31

Notre Dame and Texas A&M are knotted up at 31-31 heading into a pivotal fourth quarter. The Aggies nailed a 43-yard field goal late in the period to tie the game after Notre Dame used some special teams magic to set up a touchdown to take the lead. 

The defenses shave started to settle into the game in the second half. After 52 combined points in the first two quarters, the teams combined for only 10 points in the third quarter. However, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is starting to come alive. For the first time of the evening, he found Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard reception and the Fighting Irish are driving. 

The Aggies managed to get a key fourth down stop on the previous drive, but quarterback Marcel Reed has been unable to get the ball to top targets Mario Craver and KC Concepcion in the second half. Both have game-breaking ability. Texas A&M is also down two starters -- linebacker Scooby Williams and safety Bryce Anderson -- due to injuries suffered during the game. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 10:17 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

3Q: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 28

Notre Dame punt returner Jordan Faison swung the game with a 19-yard return in the third quarter to give the Irish the ball at the 29-yard line. Five plays later, running back Jadarian Price punched it in for a 17-yard touchdown. Price has been the best rusher in the game, recording 56 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns. 

While punter James Rendell won't record any stats, that touchdown belongs to him after landing a punt at the one-yard line. The Irish don't start with such incredible field position otherwise. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 10:08 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M stormed back late in the second quarter to take a lead, and the defense showed up with a fored punt thanks to a sack from Albert Regis that blew up the drive. The only bright spot for Notre Dame: Punter James Rendell just landed an incredible punt right at the one-yard line. Good on ya, as they say Down Under. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 9:38 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

HALF: No. 16 Texas A&M 28, No. 8 Notre Dame 24

Texas A&M overcame a special teams miscue on the first drive of the game to take a 28-24 lead into halftime against Notre Dame in South Bend. The Aggies got a monstrous 173 yards and a touchdown from receiver Mario Craver, a former Mississippi State transfer, as Craver establishes himself as one of the best receivers in the nation. 

Quarterback Marcel Reed has also been responsible for 258 yards passing, 26 yards rushing and a passing touchdown. Running back Le'Veon Moss only has 43 yards rushing, but scored three touchdowns on short-yardage plays to break the game open. 

Notre Dame blocked a Texas A&M punt and returned it for a touchdown, and also got big scores from running backs Jeremiyah Love (36-yard reception) and Jadarian Price (7-yard run). However, quarterback CJ Carr threw a costly interception on an attempted screen pass to give Texas A&M the ball, which they converted into a critical touchdown before the half. 

When these two teams played last season, the game was tied 6-6 at halftime at Kyle Field. With new quarterbacks and weapons all over the field, both offenses have found their rhythm throughout the game. Notre Dame gets the ball to start the second half with a chance to retake the lead. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 9:29 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M safety Bryce Anderson appears to have suffered a serious head injury last in the second quarter against Notre Dame. Anderson completed a tackle against Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon and appeared to get knocked out cold when he ricocheted against the turf. He remains surrounded by trainers several minutes after the play, and they are bringing out both the stretcher and cart. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 9:07 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

2Q: Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21

As opposed to the explosive plays of the previous scoring drives, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed simply did his thing. Reed completed 3-of-4 passes for 56 yards and added a pair of rushed for 21 yards to key a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a Le'Veon Moss touchdown drive. Texas A&M's offensive line is really starting to find its consistency and is playing bullyball against the talented Irish front. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

2Q: Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 14

Wheel routes remain undefeated, as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love proved once more. The stud running back got lost out of the backfield and collected a one-handed catch for a 36-yard touchdown to go up by 10 points once again. Hope you didn't take the under (49.5). This one is a shootout. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:47 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

3Q: Notre Dame 17, Texas A&M 14

Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver took the first few shots, but KC Concepcion finally got into the mix in the second quarter. The NC State transfer broke free downfield and Marcel Reed delivered a great pass to a leaping Concepcion for 45 yards. Running back Le'Veon Moss finished the job with a one-yard score. 

Reed now has 171 yards, with all of them going to either transfers Craver or Concepcion. Heisman favorite Carson Beck recorded only 205 yards across the entire game in a 27-24 upset against the Fighting Irish in Week 1. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:31 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

End 1Q: Notre Dame 14, Texas A&M 7

No. 8 Notre Dame is threatening to take a two-score lead, holding a 14-7 edge over No. 16 Texas A&M in what has been a messy game for both offenses.

The Aggies' lone touchdown came on an 86-yard catch-and-run by Mario Craver, who broke multiple tackles to reach the end zone. Notre Dame scored on a 2-yard rush by Jadarian Price and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

The Irish have split carries between Price and Jeremiyah Love, who have combined for 60 yards on 13 attempts. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr has added 55 passing yards. Reed, meanwhile, has completed just 1 of 6 passes outside of the long touchdown and was intercepted by Leonard Moore.

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:22 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed made yet another mistake, throwing his first interception of the year to top Notre Dame corner Leonard Moore to give Notre Dame the ball with tremendous field position. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:18 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

1Q: Notre Dame 14, Texas A&M 7

Notre Dame is back in the end zone and the shootout is on after an explosive play set up yet another touchdown against the Aggies. The big play was a flea flicker to tight end Eli Raridon for a 47-yard reception to get Notre Dame within the five-yard line as the Texas A&M defense simply lost him. Texas native Jadarian Price punched it in two plays later on his first carry. 

Notre Dame has leaned heavily on running back Jeremiyah Love, giving him six carries on its first 11 plays after only 10 total carries last week. The Aggies have sold out to stop Love, and quarterback CJ Carr is finally making them pay. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 8:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

2Q: Texas A&M 7, Notre Dame 7

Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver pulled off one of the craziest spin moves of the season to evade Notre Dame tacklers and break through for an 86-yard touchdown to tie up the game. Craver came in motion before the play and quarterback Marcel Reed faked to running back Le'Veon Moss. 

Craver flew up the sideline nearly untouched with the ball, and then spun through a pair of Notre Dame defensive backs to run free for a touchdown. The Mississippi State transfer has been a revelation, posting 236 yards and three touchdowns through his first two games. He's off to a huge start tonight. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 7:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

1Q: No. 8 Notre Dame 7, No. 16 Texas A&M 0

Notre Dame's defense shut down Texas A&M on the first drive of the game, but special teams was the first unit to get on the board. Defensive lineman Loghan Thomas broke right through the poor protection and Notre Dame blocked its seventh punt of the past two years and returned it for a touchdown. 

The start was a sensational one for Notre Dame, which got down early against Miami in its season-opening loss. Tae Johnson was credited with the 24-yard return for a touchdown. 

[Sep 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

It's been 11 years since Texas A&M defeated a ranked team on the road. Avenging a 10-point loss at home to Notre Dame last season with a win Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium sure would be a nice break from the trend. Marcel Reed provides the Aggies' offense a different dynamic that the Irish did not have to contend against last season, and for as much as Marcel Reed wants to be known for his passing, the key for him is sparking the rushing attack, which means he needs to tuck the ball and run for hard yards. Notre Dame has the better rushing attack with Jeremiyah Love and has a quarterback, CJ Carr, who proved himself a capable runner when needed. The feeling here is that the Irish run the ball more than the 28 times for 93 yards they had against Miami. Pick: Notre Dame ML -258

Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M pick, odds, spread: No. 8 Fighting Irish seek CFP resume boost against No. 16 Aggies

Brandon Marcello

[Sep 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Ahead of another showcase game for No. 16 Texas A&M against the No. 8 team in the country on Saturday -- this time at Notre Dame -- Aggies quarterback  Reed hopes he can accomplish one of his overriding individual goals for the year.

Yeah, he can run. Yeah, he may have only completed 56% of his passes in high school. But he's ready for everyone to view him as a quarterback. "A passing quarterback," Reed emphasizes.

Go inside Reed's passing transformation. 

After offseason mechanics overhaul, Texas A&M's Marcel Reed ready to shed run-first QB label for good

Chris Hummer

[Sep 13, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET · Brad Crawford]

No one likes to slap the "must-win" label on a Week 3 game, but for Notre Dame, opportunities to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee are slim outside of Saturday's matchup with Texas A&M.

Slotted No. 16 in this week's AP poll, the Aggies (2-0) are the only remaining opponent on Notre Dame's schedule currently ranked in the top 25. USC (2-0) is on the fringe, pulling the fifth-most points in the "receiving votes" category, and Navy (2-0) could climb, but the rest of the slate looks barren.

It's only Week 3, but here's why Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M feels like must-win for Irish's CFP future

Brad Crawford

[Sep 13, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr was inconsistent in his first start against Miami, but the redshirt freshman came alive in the second half. When the dust settled, Carr completed 19-of-30 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and hit a couple of pinpoint passes to lead a near-comeback. 

Against Texas A&M, Carr will have to take further advantage of his opportunities. The Aggies have been shaky defensively in two games, including allowing three passing touchdowns in a 44-22 win against Utah State. this could be a potential breakout opportunity on the big stage.