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As the Fighting Irish football team prepared themselves for a game in the nation’s toughest stadium to play in, I, a Notre Dame senior donned in Irish green, stood proudly in the front row of the Aggie student section. I had enjoyed true College Station festivities leading up to the game, including hanging out at O’Bannon’s Taphouse and tailgating with the “orgs,” or student organizations. Now, I was one of many Irish fans scattered throughout Kyle Field but one of few sitting among A&M students right behind the goalpost, excitedly waiting for kickoff.
A&M was the first team to put points on the board with a field goal minutes into the first quarter. A large cannon exploded to let everyone know the Aggies had scored. Despite the cannon blast, graduate student kicker Mitch Jeter kicked a 46-yard field goal for the Irish just a few minutes later, making his debut as the team’s kicker. The second quarter continued in a similar fashion. A&M scored a second field goal to regain the lead. However, on the next Aggie drive, an interception by sophomore safety Adon Shuler gave the ball back to the Irish, which they used to tie the score with another field goal. After a few more punts from both sides, an interception from graduate safety Xavier Watts gave the ball to the Irish right before the end of the second quarter and offered Irish fans a jolt of hope for what was to come.
During halftime, Aggie and Irish fans alike were on the edge of their seats as the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band marched onto the field to perform. The band, comprised solely of Corps of Cadets members thus making it the largest collegiate military marching band in the nation, performed their traditional “Aggie War Hymn.” While the performance did not include the diverse song choices and skillful formations of a typical Band of the Fighting Irish show, it was an interesting aspect of the Kyle Field culture.
After both teams turned the ball over on downs to start the third quarter, the Irish ramped up their performance. Junior running back Jadarian Price ran the ball 47 yards for the first touchdown of the game and the only points of the quarter.
Just steps away from both an Aggie Yell Leader and the Leprechaun, I was truly immersed in the post-third quarter festivities. When the Aggie student section began performing one of their “yells,” rocking the stands side to side as they did, I had no choice but to rock with them. I was in such a prominent position in the student section that the jumbotron videographer had to keep skipping over me when filming the Aggies. Despite the Aggies’ passion, “Let’s Go Irish” cheers were heard from throughout the stadium.
The beginning of the fourth quarter kept everyone on their toes. The Aggies scored a touchdown , tying the score once again. Then, after a 4 minute, 29 second-long drive, sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love ran the ball 21 yards for another Irish touchdown. The Notre Dame defense kept the Aggies to only four plays and punted the ball back to the Irish one last time. With only 30 seconds left on the clock, Jeter drilled a 46-yard field goal and secured a 10-point spread for the Irish, a successful triumph over A&M.
Overall, the game served as an exciting start for the season. It marked the debut of senior quarterback Riley Leonard, a transfer from Duke University. It also gave Irish fans confidence in the strength of the team and in Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman’s third full season. As the Aggies trickled out of the stadium, I joined with the many other Irish fans to sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater, enjoying every last moment of victory before traveling back to South Bend.