No. 16 Texas A&M pulled off one of the most dramatic upsets of the college football season, defeating No. 8 Notre Dame 41-40 with a spectacular last-second touchdown pass at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night. The victory marked a historic achievement for the Aggies, who snapped a 13-game losing streak against ranked opponents on the road dating back to 2014.
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Game-Winning Drive Caps Instant Classic
With Texas A&M trailing 40-34 and just 2:41 remaining on the clock, quarterback Marcel Reed orchestrated a masterful 74-yard scoring drive that will be remembered for years. The 13-play drive culminated in a fourth-down touchdown pass from Reed to tight end Nate Boerkircher with only 13 seconds left on the game clock.
Reed escaped pressure in the pocket before finding Boerkircher on an 11-yard touchdown pass that sent the Texas A&M sideline into celebration. Kicker Randy Bond converted the crucial extra point to give the Aggies their first lead since earlier in the contest.
Reed’s Breakout Performance Leads Aggies
Marcel Reed delivered a career-defining performance that showcased his development as a complete quarterback. The dual-threat signal-caller completed 17 of 37 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns while adding 37 rushing yards. Reed’s ability to extend plays with his legs proved crucial throughout the contest, particularly on the game-winning drive where he scrambled to create time for his receivers.
Le’Veon Moss provided exceptional support in the ground game, rushing for 81 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. The running back scored three rushing touchdowns in the first half alone, helping Texas A&M build momentum against the Fighting Irish defense.
Notre Dame’s Late Lead Wasn’t Enough
Notre Dame appeared to be in control when Jeremiyah Love scored on a 12-yard touchdown run with 2:53 remaining to give the Fighting Irish a 40-34 advantage. However, a botched extra point attempt that kept the lead at just six points would prove costly, as it allowed Texas A&M to win with a touchdown rather than needing a two-point conversion.
Love finished the game with 94 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with 50 receiving yards and another score through the air on four receptions. Quarterback CJ Carr completed 20 of 32 passes for 291 yards and one touchdown in his second career start.
Historic Achievement for Texas A&M Program
The victory represented Texas A&M’s first road win against a Top 25 opponent since defeating then-No. 3 Auburn on November 8, 2014. Coach Mike Elko, in his first season leading the Aggies, guided his team to a perfect 3-0 start with this signature victory.
The win also marked a significant moment in the series between these programs, as Texas A&M improved to 3-4 all-time against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish had won the previous meeting 23-13 at Kyle Field in 2024, making this victory even sweeter for the Aggies.
Fighting Irish Drop to 0-2 Start
Notre Dame’s loss dropped the Fighting Irish to 0-2 for the season, a disappointing start for a program that reached the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season. The defeat followed their season-opening 27-24 loss to No. 5 Miami, where they allowed a game-winning drive with 1:04 remaining.
The Fighting Irish struggled defensively throughout the contest, allowing 488 total yards to the Aggies offense. Notre Dame’s defense, under new coordinator Chris Ash, has now surrendered seven touchdowns in their first six quarters of the season.
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Key Statistical Breakdown
The high-scoring affair featured balanced offensive performances from both teams. Texas A&M accumulated 488 total yards, with 360 coming through the air and 128 on the ground. Notre Dame managed 427 total yards, including 291 passing yards and 136 rushing yards.
Both teams converted crucial fourth-down attempts, with Texas A&M going 1-for-1 and Notre Dame converting 2-of-4. The Aggies’ lone fourth-down conversion proved to be the game-winner, while Notre Dame’s struggles in those crucial situations contributed to their defeat.
Injury Concern Mars First Half
The game was delayed in the first half when Texas A&M safety Bryce Anderson was injured making a tackle and required medical attention on the field for approximately 10 minutes. Anderson was carted off the field and taken to a hospital but gave a thumbs-up sign to the crowd and reportedly had feeling in all his limbs.
Looking Ahead
Texas A&M returns home to face Auburn on Saturday, September 27, riding high on their signature road victory. The Aggies will look to maintain their perfect record as they enter SEC conference play with tremendous momentum.
Notre Dame faces another challenging matchup as they host Purdue next Saturday, seeking their first victory of the season. The Fighting Irish must regroup quickly to avoid falling into a deeper hole early in the season.
This thrilling contest will be remembered as one of the finest college football games of the 2025 season, showcasing the drama and excitement that makes the sport so compelling. For Texas A&M, it represents a statement victory that announces their arrival as a legitimate contender, while Notre Dame must use this heartbreak as motivation for the remainder of their campaign.
