Texas A&M is looking for redemption when it heads to South Bend this weekend. The Aggies dropped their season opener to Notre Dame at Kyle Field in 2024, and Saturday’s primetime meeting offers a chance to even the score against the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame will enter the matchup with a new face at quarterback. With Riley Leonard moving on to the NFL after last season, head coach Marcus Freeman has turned to CJ Carr. The redshirt freshman made his first career start in Week 1 on the road at Miami, a difficult debut for any young passer.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said his defense has limited film to study, but he offered a clear assessment of Carr’s skillset.
“He’s a really talented kid,” Elko said. “I think he’s got a big arm. I think you saw that in the Spring game. You saw that on his high school tape. Obviously, him making his first start on the road down at Miami. … Those are always challenging situations for a young quarterback."
He added,
“I’m sure he’ll make tremendous growth coming out of that experience now knowing what the emotions of all of that feel like. He played well, he made a lot of plays, and I’m sure he’s going to have plans and hopes to make a lot more Saturday night.”
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CJ Carr vs Marcel Reed could decide Saturday’s showdown
Carr showed flashes in the loss to the Hurricanes, completing 19 of 30 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He led a late rally that produced 17 points in the fourth quarter, though Notre Dame fell 27-24.
The Aggies, however, bring experience under center. Marcel Reed, who became the starter midway through last season, has returned in 2025 and has impressed early. Freeman praised Reed’s versatility, noting,
“He has a strong arm, and he still has an athletic skillset that it’s really a challenge to stop and tackle him. So we’ve got to continue to try to mix up some looks, try to get him to hold the ball, and then we got to keep him in the pocket. Man, he is a dangerous runner, but also can throw the ball.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium, with NBC carrying the broadcast. BetMGM lists the Aggies as a touchdown underdog, with the over/under at 50.5.