NCAAF: Notre Dame at Texas A&M 8/31/24

>>>> Y YOUOU'R'RE E WAWATCTCHIHO KIKICKCKOF >>> OFYOU'RE WATCHING MODELO KICKOFF WEEK. ♪♪ WE ARE READY TO START THE MOST ANTICIPATED GAME IN THE SEASON. >> IT WILL BE BIGGER. IT WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER. >> LET'S GO! >> ALL THE ENERGY YOU COULD ASK FOR. >> PAGEANTRY AND TRADITION. THESE ARE THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE COLLEGE FOOTBALL UNIQUE. >> INTO THE ACTION. TOUCHDOWN! A 4th AND A MILE. >> DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? >> 30, 20, 10, HE WON'T BE CAUGHT. >> I WANT FOOTBALL. YOU WANT FOOTBALL. EVERYBODY WANTS FOOTBALL. >> THIS PLACE IS GOING BANANAS RIGHT NOW. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL! >> THIS IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS IF YOU ARE A COLLEGE FOOTBALL FAN. ♪♪ >>> A SWELTERING, SCORCHING SATURDAY NIGHT IN TEXAS. AND HERE COME THE AGGIES. THIS SETTING MAKES THEM SLIGHT FAVORITES. FOR THE FIRST TIME MIKE ELKO WILL EXPERIENCE WALKING OUT THE TUNNEL IN THIS CAULDRON OF NOISE. DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR UNDER JIMBO FISHER, HE WAS UP IN THE PRESS BOX. >> Kirk: YOU COULD SEE IT WHEN WE WERE TALKING TO HIM PREGAME. THIS IS HAPPENING IN STADIUMS ALL OVER COLLEGE FOOTBALL. LOOK AT THIS SCENE. >> Chris: NOTHING QUITE LIKE THIS. >> Kirk: NO, NO, NO. LIKE YOU SAID, DIFFERENT BEING THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR THAN THIS IS YOUR SHOW. THIS IS YOUR TEAM AS THE HEAD COACH. >> Chris: NOT HIDING FROM THE FACT THAT THESE VETERAN AGO GUY PLAYERS ARE UNDER 500. HE'S REINFORCED THAT TO THEM, TRYING TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THEM. >> Kirk: IT'S HARD TO DEFINE WHAT IS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL ABOUT A&M. AND THE MIKE ELKO ERA BEGINS AT COLLEGE STATION. >> Chris: LAST THREE TOP TEN TEAMS TO COME HERE IN, KIRK, FOLKS ALABAMA, FLORIDA AND LSU HAVE LOST IN THIS BUILDING. >> Kirk: TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY. HERE'S MARCUS FREEMAN AND THE IRISH. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE FACING TONIGHT. HE HAS PREPPED THEM FOR EVERY INCH OF THIS STADIUM AND ITS CHALLENGES. SEE IF THAT PREPARATION PAYS OFF. >> Chris: IT REQUIRES A LOT OF POISE AND COMPOSURE. IT'S A VETERAN TEAM. >> Kirk: MARCUS MAY BE PLAYING TONIGHT. HE'S READY TO ROLL. >> Chris: HE'S BEEN IN THE SQUAD RAP IT LOOKS LIKE. AND HERE COME THE IRISH INTO THE HEART OF ALL THIS HOSTILITY. IT'S BRAND-NEW FOR LEONARD. HE PLAYED ONE BIG ROAD GAME IN A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT AGAINST THE SEMINOLES. WE HAD THAT GAME WHEN HE RE-INJURED HIMSELF. BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE NORM FOR HIM IN HIS CAREER AT DUKE. >> Kirk: GREW UP A NOTRE DAME FAN HIS WHOLE LIFE. HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TWO AND PLAY NOW AS THE STARTING QUARTERBACK. HE'S HEALTHY, WHICH IS GREAT AFTER THAT INJURY HE SUSTAINED A YEAR AGO. HAD A FOLLOW-UP SURGERY IN MARCH, MISSED SPRING BALL. NOW HERE HE IS, THE STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR NOTRE DAME. >> Chris: THEY HAVE COACH TO PLAYER COMMUNICATION IN THE HELMET LIKE THE NFL. THERE IS A GREEN DOT ON DEFENSE THAT GETS THE SAME. IT WILL BE FASCINATING TO SEE HOW THEY USE THAT. >> Kirk: FOR PEOPLE AT HOME THAT AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT IN A COLLEGE GAME, LIKE THE NFL, IT WILL SHUT DOWN. YOU HAVE UP TO 15 SECONDS ON THE PLAY CLOCK, AND THEN IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN. SO IF YOU GET TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE WITH 25 SECONDS TO GO, YOU CAN COMMUNICATE AND TRY THE GET THEM ON THE RIGHT PAGE. >> Chris: LEONARD SMILES A LOT. HE IS SO EXCITED. WEIGMAN IN HIS OWN WAY, YOU SAID WITH INTENSITY, READY FOR THIS COLLISION, TOO. ACC CREW IN CHARGE OF THE GAME. LET'S HEAD DOWN THERE FOR THE COIN TOSS. >> Referee: GOOD EVENING, GENTLEMEN. WELCOME TO THE 2024 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON. THIS IS HEADS. THIS IS TAILS. NOTRE DAME, YOU ARE THE VISITING TEAM. WHAT IS YOUR CALL? >> HEADS. >> Referee: HEADS IS THE CALL. IT IS HEADS. YOU HAVE WON THE TOSS. NOTRE DAME HAS WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO DEFER THEIR OPTION. TEXAS A&M WILL RECEIVE. WHICH WAY WOULD YOU LIKE TO KICK? PLEASE SWITCH SIDES. TEXAS A&M WILL RECEIVE ON THE NORTH END OF THE FIELD. GOOD LUCK. >> Chris: IRISH PUTTING THAT STOUT DEFENSE ON THE FIELD FIRST. THERE IS A SLIGHT WIND LIGHT TO LEFT IN THIS FIRST HALF. HOLLY JOINS US. >> COACH, YOU PLAYED LOUD MUSIC, TRIED TO PREPARE FOR THIS ENVIRONMENT, BUT WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO HAVE THIS COMPOSURE FOR YOUR TEAM? >> WE JUST HAVE TO EXECUTE, KEEP OUR COMPOSURE, NOT LET THE LAST PLAY AFFECT THE NEW PLAY. IT WILL BE LOUD. WE'RE PREPARED FOR THIS ENVIRONMENT. IT IS A GREAT ENVIRONMENT. WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU WANT? >> YOU HAVE GOT A NEW QUARTERBACK, BUT PROTECTING HIM IS A VERY YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE. WHAT CONFIDENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT THEY COULD PROTECT HIM TONIGHT? >> I KNOW WE HAVE SOME NEW STARTERS, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE OUT THERE IF WE DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD PROTECT OUR QUARTERBACK. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR OFFENSIVE LINE MEN. >> THANK YOU, COACH. >> THANK YOU. >> Chris: THAT IS THE KEY FACTOR, HE HAS CAN HAVE. LET'S SEE IF THE IRISH FAITHFUL HAVE CONFIDENCE AT THE END OF THE GAME. TOUGHEST PLACES TO PLAY. IN SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL '25, TOP OF THE LIST. WE TALKED TO SABAN, HE ECHOED THAT. THAT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT TEAM HERE THAN WHEN THEY GO ON THE ROAD. >> Kirk: THERE IS NEW ENERGY HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A NEW HEAD COACH. IT IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS TEAM GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. LET'S SEE. >> Chris: MITCH JETER, TRANSFER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO BOOT IT AWAY. TRUE FRESHMAN BUSSEY IS AT THE GOAL LINE FOR THE AGGIES. SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE BEST ENVIRONMENT YOU'LL SEE THIS OPENING WEEKEND. THE BREEZE AT HIS BACK, JETER DRIVES IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK. SO HERE COMES CONNOR WEIGMAN, THE SOPHOMORE. MANY PEOPLE PROJECT HIM AS A FIRST ROUND NFL DRAFT PICK, WHETHER IT IS THE NEXT DRAFT OR THE DRAFT AFTER THAT. HE'S NOT THINKING ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW. HE'S JUST THINKING ABOUT REESTABLISHING HIMSELF AS AN AGGIE. >> Kirk: NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. JUST A QUICK SCOUTING REPORT ON HIM. WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW HE'S A DROPBACK GUY. WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT AND HOW SOPHISTICATED THAT SYSTEM IS. THIS GUY IS AN ATHLETE. GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER MOST OF HIS LIFE. NOW HE'S A QUARTERBACK AND REALLY FEELS HE HAS GREAT COMMAND OF THIS NEW SYSTEM. >> Chris: BOTH PROGRAMS HAVE GONE TO THE TRANSFER PORTAL TO ADD PLAY MAKERS IN THE RECEIVER POSITION. WE'LL FEATURE THEM TONIGHT. LE'VEON MOSS IS THE BACK TO THE RIGHT OF WEIGMAN. NOAH THOMAS, THE TOP TARGET, GOES IN MOTION. AND WEIGMAN LOOKS ACROSS THE MIDDLE AND ZIPS A STRIKE FOR A FIRST DOWN AFTER THE 40s. HE FINDS CYRUS ALLEN FOR 15. >> Kirk: GREAT JOB. HE GETS PRESSURE. CAME LATE. HE LOOKED OUT TO HIS LEFT. NOTRE DAME TOOK IT AWAY. DOES A GOOD JOB COMING TO HIS SECOND OPTION THERE AND GOT IT OUT IN A HURRY. >> Chris: COLIN KLEIN CALLING THE PLAYS USING TEMPO HERE, NOT SOMETHING HE FEATURED ALL THAT OFTEN AT KANSAS STATE, BUT HE'S A RESPECTED OFFENSIVE LINE. HERE'S THE IMPACT PLAYERS TONIGHT WHEN THE AGGIES HAVE THE FOOTBALL. >> Kirk: THAT'S RIGHT. NOAH THOMAS AT 6'6", NUMBER 3, 6'6". THEY WILL MOVE HIM AROUND. AMARY DANIELS, 5. DOES A NOT JOB IN THE BACK FIELD. JACK KISER. AND BENJAMIN MORRISON COULD BE THE TOP CORNER WHEN THE TOP CORNERS IN ALL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL. >> Chris: SECOND DOWN. THEY BEAT MOSS. IT WILL BE TOUGH TO RUN AGAINST THIS IRISH DEFENSIVE FRONT. THE AGGIE DEFENSIVE LINE IS MASSIVE. THE THIRD YEAR STARTER ON THE LEFT TACKLE. >> Kirk: SOME EXPERIENCE THERE. A COUPLE PORTALS, CENTER AND RIGHT TACKLE. THESE FIRST FEW SNAPS, THESE GUYS ARE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO HIT OTHER PLAYERS IN ANOTHER COLOR JERSEY. THEY ARE FLYING AROUND. >> Chris: THIRD AND LONG WILL BE TOUGH FOR BOTH OFFENSES TONIGHT. THEY NEED SEVEN. THERE IS A FLAG BEFORE THE SNAP. PASS THE INCOMPLETE. INTENDED FOR ALLEN. COVERED BY MORRISON, WHO HAS BEEN A LOCKDOWN CORNER. >> Referee: OFF SIDE DEFENSE NUMBER 5. FIVE YARD PENALTY. THIRD DOWN. >> Chris: THAT WILL MAKE IT 3rd AND 2 NOW. >> Kirk: COUNT OF THE HAND, BOOM, HARD COUNT RIGHT THERE. IT IS NOT LIKE AARON RODGERS USING HIS CADENCE IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS, EVEN WITH THEM HOLDING THE BALL. USING THAT HARD CLAP, NOW IT IS MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE FOR COLIN KLEIN INSTEAD OF BEING BACK 3rd AND 7, NOW THEY'RE 3rd AND 2. >> Chris: A HUGE PART OF COLIN'S ATTACK, OF COURSE, GOING BACK TO HIS PLAYING DAYS, BY THE WAY, WITH THE WILDCATS. HANDOFF AND GETTING TO THE EDGE IS MOSS, AND HE SCOOTS INTO IRISH TERRITORY FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: NICE JOB OF GETTING THAT BALL OUT OF THE EDGE. REALLY GOOD BLOCK BY REED-ADAMS, THE RIGHT TACKLE. HE'S ABLE TO SQUEEZE THAT DEFENSIVE END, PUSH HIM TO THE INSIDE. THEN IT WAS REALLY JUST ABOUT THE SPEED THERE TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP THAT FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: PRE-SNAP PENALTIES. FREEMAN SAYS WE MUST AVOID THEM. THAT WAS A GHASTLY FIVE YARDER. MOSS HAMMERS AHEAD. LIMITED TO TWO YARDS. HE'S A JUNIOR. WE WILL SEE ANOTHER JUNIOR OUT OF MIAMI ROTATE IN. SMITH ON THE FIELD. HIS SON EJ COMES FROM STANFORD. HE'S HOPING TO GET A COUPLE CARRIES TONIGHT AS WELL. >> Kirk: BY THE WAY, THAT HOLE OPENED UP NICELY. THAT THING HAD A CHANCE. THAT WAS AN EASY SEVEN OR EIGHT YARD GAIN. >> Chris: DANIELS INTO THE GAME NOW. ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS A FLINCH, BUT THE IRISH DEFENSIVE LINEMAN GOT BACK. IT WAS RYLIE MILLS WHO CAME ACROSS. >> Kirk: GOT HIM AGAIN WITH THAT HARD CLAP. >> Chris: EACH SIDE POINTING AT THE OTHER SIDE. >> Kirk: I THINK NOTRE DAME, MILLS, ENDED UP JUMPING OFF SIDES. LIKE THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN REACTED TO HIM. >> Referee: OFF SIDES DEFENSE NUMBER 99. FIVE YARD PENALTY, SECOND DOWN. >> Kirk: AGAIN, WATCH THE HANDS. YOU WORKED ALL OF CAMP, BOOM, HARD SNAP RIGHT THERE, A HARD COUNT WITH THE CLAP. SEE NABOU ACTUALLY REACTS, REED-ADAMS REACTING TO MILLS. >> Chris: SECOND AND FOUR, FIRST DOWN. SECOND DOWN CALL SO CRUCIAL TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO STAY OUT OF THOSE THIRD AND LONGS. >> Kirk: BIG CUSHION RIGHT HERE. >> Chris: PRESSURE OFF THE EDGE. WEIGMAN GETS IT OUT, GETS IT TO TRE WATSON. AND THE BIG TIGHT END HAS A FIRST DOWN INSIDE THE 25. THEY BEAT THE CORNER BLITZ. >> Kirk: YEAH, THEY SURE DID. THEY BROUGHT THE BLITZ. SHULER IS BACK. THE BLITZ COMES FROM RIGHT HERE. LOOK AT HOW MUCH ROOM THE BIG TIGHT END HAS TO WORK. WATSON, A NICE JOB OF GETTING UNDERNEATH HIM AND REALLY GOOD RECOGNITION BY WEIGMAN ON THAT BLITZ FROM THE BOUNDARY, FROM THE CORNER, MORRISON. >> Chris: 18 YARD GAIN. SHARP START FOR WEIGMAN. IT'S TIMED, GOOD PROTECTION. STEPS UP. HE CAN SCRAMBLE. NOT A SPEEDY DUDE. HE'S MORE OF A NORTH/SOUTH SCRAMBLER, BUT HE CAN MAKE A DEFENSE PAY. >> Kirk: YEAH. COLIN KLEIN, I THINK, REALLY LIKES HIS SKILL SET HE HAS TO WORK HERE. HE DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB OF ADAPTING. HE MADE A POINT OF EMPHASIS TO US IN OUR MEETING. IT IS NOT LIKE HE HAS A SYSTEM AND THIS IS WHAT I DO. I WILL PLAY TO MY QUARTERBACK AND WHAT MY GUYS DO BEST. AS THIS SEASON GOES ON, HE AND WEIGMAN HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP, A LOT OF RAPPORT ON HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DEFENSES. >> Chris: KLEIN WOULD LOVE TO BE IN THIS WORLD, SECOND AND THREE. IRISH LOOK LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO COME OFF SIDES. STAYED ON THAT TIME. PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY. WEIGMAN FLIPS IT INTO TRAFFIC. A DANGEROUS THROW. >> Kirk: HE WAS JUST TRYING TO GET RID OF THAT WITH THE PRESSURE THAT TIME. HE GOT RIGHT IN HIS FACE. JUST FOR FANS, THAT HARD COUNT WITH THE HANDS AND GETTING NOTRE DAME TO JUMP A COUPLE TIMES, WHAT THAT DOES BEYOND GETTING YOU FIVE YARDS, THAT'S GOING TO SLOW DOWN THAT DEFENSIVE LINE. IT IS GOING TO HELP THE OFFENSIVE LINE MAN GET ANGLES AND LEVERAGE ON RUN PLAYS, AND IT WILL SLOW DOWN THE PASS PRESSURE BECAUSE THEY'RE A LITTLE HESITANT MAKING SURE THAT THAT BALL IS SNAPPED. >> Chris: EJ SMITH IS IN THE GAME FOR THE FIRST SNAP HERE ON THIRD AND TWO. WEIGMAN LOOKS FOR THE FLAT, AND IT IS OFF HIS FINGERTIPS. SO EMMITT COULD NOT COLLECT IT. JAIDEN AUSBERRY PROVIDING PRESSURE, AND HERE COMES A FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT. >> Kirk: NOTRE DAME BROUGHT THE BLITZ. SEE THAT BLITZ RIGHT THERE. THAT'S WHERE THAT BALL NEEDS TO GO. JUST OUT A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR IN FRONT. BUT SMITH SET UP THIS FIELD GOAL. >> Chris: RANDY BOND WHO JUST GOT HIS DEGREE IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING THIS MONTH. NOT A DUMMY. >> Kirk: THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT. >> Chris: VERY ACCURATE KICKER, A VETERAN. FROM 34 TO GIVE THE AGGIES THE LEAD. DRIVES IT RIGHT THROUGH. SO TEXAS A&M AIDED BY TWO PENALTIES, MOVES IT TEN PLAYS, 58 YARDS AND THE TEXAS A&M MARCHING DOWN THE FIELD. A COUPLE NOTRE DAME PENALTIES A KEY PART OF THAT. AS THE AGGIES STALL AND TAKE THE LEAD WITH A FIELD GOAL, WE'RE GOING TO SEE RILEY LEONARD AND THIS OFFENSIVE LINE THAT HAS COMBINED SIX STARTS AMONG THE FIVE STARTERS. TWO GUYS THAT STARTED THREE GAMES AND THREE GUYS MAKING THEIR DEBUT AS STARTERS, INCLUDING A TRUE FRESHMAN AT LEFT TACKLE, ANTHONIE KNAPP. >> Kirk: STORY OF THE GAME. THAT'S THE STORY OF THE GAME IN THIS ATMOSPHERE. >> Chris: JARED ZIRKEL OVER FROM GEORGIA TO BOOT IT AWAY. HE'S A VERY, VERY TALENTED GUY THAT WILL TRY TO PROTECT RILEY LEONARD. HE SEEMS COMPLETELY UNDAUNTED BY THIS CHALLENGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN A LEADER. >> Kirk: NO, OF COURSE. THAT'S WHAT HE LIKES TO BRING TO THE TABLE, BUT WITH THE INEXPERIENCE UPFRONT, VERY TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE, THEY HAVE TO AVOID THE 3rd AND 6, 3rd AND 8 SITUATIONS. HOW THEY RUN THE FOOTBALL AND HOW THEY GET IT GOING EARLY IS BIG TO TAKE THE HEAT OFF OF RILEY LEONARD AND THAT OFFENSIVE LINE. >> Chris: JEREMIYAH LOVE IS THE BACK. JAYDEN HARRISON GOES IN MOTION. RILEY PUTS IT IN THE FLAG. AND THAT IS LOVE WHO CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THOMAS WHO STEPS IN AS THE STARTING CORNER. >> Kirk: YEAH. WE HAVE A COUPLE AT NOTRE DAME. IT IS HARD TO WEEK ONE FIGURE OUT WHO THE MAIN GUYS ARE. BUT I WENT WITH LOVE OUT OF THE BACK FIELD. KNAPP IS A TRUE FRESHMAN AT LEFT TACKLE THAT CHRIS JUST TALKED ABOUT. HE HAD TEN SACKS A YEAR AGO. AND WORK IS A TRUE CAPTAIN ON THE TEXAS A&M DEFENSE. HE'S LIKE A COACH ON THE FIELD, 21. >> Chris: HE'S WEARING THE HELMET TO GET COMMUNICATION FROM JAY BATEMAN. >> Kirk: PLAY CLOCK AT THREE, LOW SNAP THREW THE TIMING OFF. THE RECEIVER GETS A FIRST DOWN, PICKS UP EIGHT. >> Chris: AND GREAT JOB OF KEEPING HIS COMPOSURE HERE. WATCH THE SNAP. SNAP IS DOWN LOW. YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD JOB TO HANDLE THE SNAP, BUT THEN THE COMPOSURE TO LOOK DOWN FIELD AND TRY TO FIND A RECEIVER. AND GREATHOUSE DOES A NICE JOB OF SETTLING IN THAT OPEN SPOT WHERE THE VACANCY OF THESE LINEBACKERS WAS. COMES FROM AUSTIN. ON FIRST DOWN, LOVE HAS TO STUTTER STEP INTO THE FIELD. THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ON FIRST DOWN. JUST A YARD. THAT WAS MARCUS RATCLIFFE FILLING. >> Kirk: THAT ZONE READ LOOK HE JUST GAVE YOU, HE WILL PULL THAT EVENTUALLY AND GO AROUND THE EDGE. GO BACK TO THAT SNAP. THIS IS A BIG PLAY. THEY GOT IT AT FIRST DOWN, BUT IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE COMPOSURE AND EXPERIENCE. >> Chris: THAT'S LOVE IN THE SLOT TO THE RIGHT. LEONARD LOOKS THAT WAY, THROWS IT INTO TRAFFIC. CATCH MADE. AND THEN THE IMMEDIATE PHASE ON FAISON BY WILL LEE. >> Kirk: WILL LEE HAD NINE STARTS AT KANSAS STATE. HAD A TENDENCY TO GIVE UPSHOTS DOWN THE FIELD. BUT I THOUGHT THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR HAD A GOOD POINT. HE SAID LAST YEAR HE PLAYED A LOT OF OFF COVERAGE. HE WILL BE PRESSED. YOU CAN SEE HOW TWITCHY HE WAS THERE TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION TO MAKE THAT PLAY AND SET UP THIS THIRD DOWN. >> Chris: MIKE CAME FROM LSU WHERE YOU DIRECTED THE ALL WORLD TIGERS OFFENSE WITH HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER JADEN DANIELS A YEAR AGO. LET'S SEE WHAT HE CALLS HERE ON THIRD AND MEDIUM. LEONARD TRYING TO ESCAPE. EXCELLENT SCRAMBLER. CAN HE GET THERE? YES, HE CAN. SLIDES DOWN AND COMES IN ON THE HIT. HE WENT DOWN LOW. HE DID PICK UP FIRST DOWN YARDAGE RIGHT AT THE 50. SEE WHAT THE ACC CREW OF OFFICIALS HAS SPOTTED THERE. HE WAS GETTING A BLOCK ON THE EDGE. >> Kirk: YEAH. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE HIT THAT CAME IN LATE, LEADING WITH THE HELMET. DALTON BROOKS, THAT'S WHAT I THINK IT WAS. THAT'S WHERE THE PENALTY CAME IN. >> Chris: BROOKS A SOPHOMORE, PART OF A SECONDARY THAT IS PART OF THE QUESTION MARKS OF THIS TEAM. >> Kirk: FROM THE RIGHT, SEE HOW HE LOWERED HIS DEFENSE. >> Referee: DEFENSE NUMBER 0. 15 YARD PENALTY. TARGETING IS UNDER FURTHER REVIEW. >> Chris: BILL, HOW DID YOU SEE THIS AS THEY REVIEW THIS, THE ACC REPLAY CENTER? >> NO QUESTION WE HAVE A LATE HIT BECAUSE OF THE FEET FIRST SLIDE. HE DOES COME IN, BECAUSE HE'S DEFENSELESS NOW. >> Kirk: THIS ISN'T A CROWN OF THE HELMET ISSUE. >> NO. THIS IS A HIT TO THE HEAD AND NECK AREA OF A DEFENSELESS PLAYER. >> Chris: HE DID SAY NUMBER 0. I THINK HE MEANT 25. >> REPLAY CAN CORRECT THAT. >> Chris: THEY WILL NEED TO. IF IT IS TARGETING OF COURSE IT IS AN EJECTION. ALREADY THEY DON'T HAVE JADEN HILL WHO IS A NICKEL BACK BECAUSE HE WAS SUSPENDED WHEN HE PLAYED FOR FLORIDA STATE LAST YEAR, FOR FLORIDA AGAINST FLORIDA STATE. >> CHRIS, THIS IS THE FIRST REAL THIRD DOWN. KNAPP IS A TRUE FRESHMAN OUT HERE. HOW IS HE GOING TO DO AGAINST 11? THIRD DOWN, YOU KNOW THAT PRESSURE IS COMING. GIVE HIM A PLACE TO STEP UP. NOW THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE. WITH 0, SCOOBY WILLIAM, HE'S ABLE TO GET OUT OF THERE. WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE ON THIRD DOWN? >> Referee: TARGETING IS CONFIRMED. TEXAS A&M NUMBER 25 IS THE FOULING PLAYER, AND HE IS DISQUALIFIED. >> Chris: SO IT IS A 9 YARD SCRAMBLE AT THE 15. THE IRISH WILL BE AT THE 35 YARD LINE AND STARTING SAFETY FOR THE AGGIES IS OUT. >> Kirk: YEP. THEY HAVE SOME DEPTH THERE, BUT THERE WAS A REASON HE WAS STARTING TONIGHT. AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT TIME ON THAT THIRD DOWN, THE QUARTERBACK SAW AND WASN'T CONFUSED, STEPPED UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THAT FIRST DOWN MARKER TO TAP ON THE 15 AT THE END. A LITTLE TEACHING OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR MIKE ELKO AND DALTON BROOKS. >> Chris: JADARIAN PRICE INTO THE BACK FIELD. NOW IT COMES BACK. AND PENETRATION QUICKLY BY THE AGGIES. RATCLIFFE GOT HIM. WILL LEAD OFF THE CORNER. THEY WILL LOSE YARDAGE ON FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: YEAH. RAD CLIFF JUST CAME INTO THE GAME WAS BROOKS HAS BEEN THROWN OUT OF THE FOOTBALL GAME. HE'S ON THE SIDELINES SAYING HE SEES THE LOOK HE WANTS BECAUSE OF THIS MOTION COMING BACK. WATCH HIS QUICK REACTION. THESE SAFETIES AND THESE DEFENSIVE BACKS ARE NOT HESITATING. THEY'RE GETTING DOWNHILL IN A HURRY AGAINST THESE QUICK PASSES TO THE PERIMETER AND THE RUN GAME. >> Chris: SO THE IRISH BEHIND THE SIX ON SECOND DOWN. THAT'S A PATTERN THEY NEED TO QUICKLY REVERSE. LEONARD FROM THE POCKET, LOOPING THROW, MISCOMMUNICATION, BREAKING OFF THE ROUTE WAS FAISON. NOW IT'S 3rd AND 13. >> Kirk: YEAH. DEFINITELY A MISCOMMUNICATION. FAISON TURNS TO THE INSIDE AND CLEARLY RILEY LEONARD IS EXPECTING THIS FOLLOWING MORE TO THE OUTSIDE. ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUP MORE OUTSIDE THERE AWAY FROM THAT DEFENDER AND MAYBE A CHANCE. BUT, AGAIN, WEEK ONE, MISCOMMUNICATION, HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT. BUT NOW A BIG THIRD DOWN AND LONG. NOW THE ROOKIE LEFT TACKLE HAS SHAMAR STEWART, WHO IS 6'6", 290 LINED UP AGAINST HIM HERE ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Chris: THEY'RE IN MARGINAL FIELD GOAL RANGE. IF THEY CAN'T GET THE FIRST DOWN, THEY WOULD LOVE TO GET IT CLOSER. THEY GET IT IN THE FLAT THERE. THE CLEMSON TRANSFER GETS NEAR THE MARKER BEFORE HE'S DRAGGED DOWN AT THE 26 BY LEE. IT WILL BE 4th DOWN AND ABOUT THREE. >> Kirk: REALLY SMART CALL ON THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE THE FOOTBALL, YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IT INTO FIELD GOAL RANGE. QUICK, SIMPLE, EASY THROW. LET BEAUX COLLINS DO SOME DAMAGE AFTER THE CATCH. YOU SEE THE TIGHT END, MITCHLL EVANS. YOU CAN GIVE YOUR KICKER A SHOT HERE TO TIE IT UP. >> Chris: HE WAS VERY ACCURATE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 12 OF 14 A YEAR AGO. ONLY MISSED TWO IN HIS CAREER. THIS FROM 46 YARDS, WITHIN HIS RANGE, TO TIE THE SCORE. LOW KICK, AND HE DRIVES IT RIGHT THROUGH. SO PENALTIES ON THE DEFENSE WILL FACTOR IN EACH OF THE OPENING POSSESSIONS FOR THESE TEAMS. TH >>> CAPITAL ONE CARDHOLDERS CAN REDEEM THEIR CREDIT CARD REWARDS FOR EXCLUSIVE EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES. SCAN THE CODE ON YOUR SCREEN TO LEARN MORE. CAPITAL ONE, WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? >> Chris: SUMMER NIGHT HERE. AERIAL COVERAGE PROVIDED BY GOOD YEAR, CELEBRATING THE CHALLENGE OF ROAD GAMES EVERYWHERE. ARE YOU READY FOR THE ROAD? GOOD YEAR, MORE DRIVEN. ARE THE IRISH READY FOR THE ROAD? 85 DEGREES. IT WILL BE, DON'T WORRY, KIRK, ABOUT 80 BY THE TIME THE JOB ENDS. >> Kirk: I LOVE THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WITH A SUIT ON UNDER LIGHTS. IT'S GREAT. I JUST TRY TO WEATHER THE STORM MYSELF UNTIL WE GET TO LIKE OCTOBER. >> Chris: YOU KNOW, IT'S A FACTOR. NICK SABAN WAS SAYING AMONG THE THINGS THAT COULD BE AN INTANGIBLE TONIGHT, YOU GET A TEAM FROM THE NORTH. BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS, CAN'T REALLY PREPARE FOR THIS. >> Kirk: NOTHING LIKE THIS. >> Chris: JETER WHO JUST TIED THE GAME TO BOOT IT AWAY. BUSSEY MIGHT NOT BE BUSY TONIGHT. THAT KICK DRIVEN WAY OVER THE GOAL LINE. 68 DEGREES IN THE STUDIO WHERE OUR BUDDY IS HANGING OUT. >> YEAH. TIME FOR OUR DR. PEPPER FANSVILLE STUDIO UPDATE. CHRIS IS JEALOUS OF THAT WEATHER AT KYLE FIELD. NEW CONFERENCE, NEW QUARTERBACK. >> I LOVE A NICE LITTLE PICK PLAY ON TIME. TOUCHDOWN ON DUCKS. >> SWEATING AT 68 DEGREES IN THE STUDIO, KIRK. >> Chris: KEVIN, THANK YOU. OREGON, MICHIGAN, ALABAMA, TOP TEAMS ALL IN ACTION TODAY. WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED. >> Kirk: OH, YEAH. GABRIEL IN EUGENE, OREGON, THE QUARTERBACK. >> Chris: FROM THE 25. WEIGMAN HAS GOOD PROTECTION. LONG THROW BUT JUST OUT OF THE REACH OF LE'VEON MOSS. >> Kirk: AL GOLDEN DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB OF DIALING UP A LOT OF DIFFERENT LOOKS. VERY, VERY MULTIPLE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT MATCHUP WITH COLIN KLEIN GOING UP AGAINST AL GOLDEN. WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT MIKE ELKO AND THE JOB HE COULD DO. HIS EXPERIENCE AS A COLLEGE COACH, WENT UP TO THE NFL AS A LINEBACKER COACH. BRINGS A LOT OF THAT STYLE WITH HIM INTO SOUTH BEND. NOW IN HIS THIRD YEAR WITH HIS SYSTEM, ALONG WITH MARCUS FREEMAN. >> Chris: JET STREAM. THERE'S BUSSEY, THE RETURNER WHO CUTS IT BACK. THE IRISH ALL OVER IT. THEY SPRING IT OUT. IT WAS JAYLEN SNEED, THE ROVER. >> Kirk: THAT TOOK ME BACK TO THE LATE '70s WITH THE TEAR-AWAY JERSEY. THE T-SHIRT UNDERNEATH. HE HAD A GOOD HANDFUL OF IT AND HELD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. THAT'S PRETTY GOOD STRENGTH GRIP RIGHT THERE. THE REST OF THE DEFENSE WILL RALLY. >> Chris: BUSSEY WAS WISHING IT WAS MORE TEAR-AWAY BECAUSE HE DID GET SLOWED DOWN BY THAT. BRINGS UP 3rd AND 10. IRISH CROWD MAKING A LITTLE NOISE HERE. AGAIN THEY JUMP OFF. AGAIN IT WILL BE A FREE PLAY AS WEIGMAN LAUNCHES DOWN THE SIDELINE. IT'S BROKEN UP THERE. AND NOW A FLAG COMES IN FOR A SECOND NOTRE DAME PENALTY. CYRUS ALLEN WAS BEING DEFENDED ON THE SIDELINE BY CHRISTIAN GRAY. SO OFF SIDE AND PI, IT LOOKS LIKE. >> Kirk: I THINK JAYLEN SNEED JUMPED AGAIN. WEIGMAN USING THAT HARD CLAP GETS THEM TO JUMP AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. SEE HOW FRUSTRATED MARCUS FREEMAN IS. THEY NEED TO MENTALLY LOCK IN THERE. AND THEN THE INTERFERENCE AT THE END. THE OFFICIAL CLOSEST TO IT, HE WANTED TO WAIVE IT OFF. HE THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY, IT WAS A CLEAN PLAY. IT WAS THE OFFICIAL TRAILING THAT ACTUALLY MADE THE CALL. >> Referee: TWO FOULS ON THE PLAY BOTH BY THE DEFENSE. PASS INTERFERENCE NUMBER 29. 15 YARD PENALTY, AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: THAT'S THE CORNER OPPOSITE OF MORRISON, THE ALL-AMERICAN. WHAT DID YOU THINK, BILLY, ON THAT CALL? >> I'VE GOT THE DPI ON IT. >> Kirk: HE DIDN'T LOOK UNTIL LATE? >> LATE LOOK, EARLY CONTACT ON IT. >> Kirk: THE THIRD PENALTY. THAT ONE STINGS WHEN IT IS 3rd AND 10. YOU WILL GET OFF THE FIELD, EVEN IF THEY HADN'T SPOTTED THAT. IT WAS GOING TO BE 3rd AND 5. BUT THE AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN NOW TO THE 39 YARD LINE. HANDOFF GETTING TO THE EDGE IS MOSS, AND HE FALLS FORWARD. THAT'S A SOLID FIRST DOWN PICKUP OUT NEAR THE 45. >> Chris: I THINK TEXAS A&M FANS WILL LOVE WHAT MOSS CAN DO IN THIS SYSTEM. SIX FEET, 215 POUND JUNIOR. HE'S PHYSICAL. HE'S ATHLETIC AND HE'S VERSATILE. THEY WILL MOVE HIM ALL OVER THE FIELD. THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE ATHLETICISM OF JORDAN CLARK. THE PASS IS COMPLETE TO WALKER. HE IS BROUGHT DOWN RIGHT NEAR THE MARKER. HE WILL BE JUST SHORT. XAVIER WATTS, THE TOP INTERCEPTER IN THE COUNTRY A YEAR AGO. >> Kirk: THEY'RE GOING TO PULL CHRISTIAN GRAY OVER AND TALK TO HIM. ACTUALLY, HE'S COMING HERE TO THE WIDE SIDE. CAM HEART MOVED ON. HE'S NO LONGER A PART OF THIS TEAM. EVERYONE WANTED TO KNOW WHO THE CORNER OPPOSITE WILL BE. CHRISTIAN GRAY HAS WON THE JOB. HERE EARLY IN THIS GAME, COLIN KLEIN TRYING TO GO AFTER HIM ON SOME THROWS TO THE FIELD. >> Chris: 3rd AND 1. EMPTY BACK FIELD NOW. DANIELS MOTIONS BACK IN. WEIGMAN UNDER CENTER, AND HE'LL SNEAK IT. THERE IS A FLAG DOWN AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF THE IRISH WERE IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE ONE MORE TIME. >> Kirk: I DON'T KNOW IF A&M WAS SET. I THINK THE RECEIVER ON THE RIGHT SIDE DIDN'T GET COMPLETELY SET THERE. I THINK THIS WILL BE AGAINST TEXAS A&M. >> Referee: FALSE START OFFENSE NUMBER 9. FIVE YARD PENALTY, THIRD DOWN. >> Chris: SUCH A FACTOR. THERE IS NO DRESS REHEARSALS IN THIS SPORT. THAT'S PART OF THE BEAUTY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL. BUT YOU EXPECT MISCUES LIKE THIS. THIS IS COSTLY. >> Kirk: NINE AT THE TOP THERE. JUST GETTING SETTLED IN. YOU CAN SEE THE FRUSTRATION AND THE BALL SNAPPED. HE WAS LOOKING OVER TO HIS OWN SIDELINE TRYING TO GET THE ADJUSTMENT, BUT NOW INSTEAD OF AN EASY QUARTERBACK SNEAK, WE HAVE SEEN IT GO THE OTHER WAY. NOW THEY GO BACKWARDS. NOW IT'S 3rd AND 6. >> Chris: IRISH SHOWING PRESSURE, CROWDING THE LINE. THEY BRING PRESSURE. WEIGMAN BACK PEDDLING ACROSS THE MIDDLE. LOW THROW IS INCOMPLETE, MAKING THE LONG RUN TO GET IN HIS FACE THERE ON THE BLITZ WAS JORDAN BATELO. >> Kirk: ALSO THE SAFETY. I'M IN COVERAGE, JUST KIND OF DISGUISING, COMPLETELY FOOLS THE OFFENSIVE LINE WITH THAT DIFFERENT LOOK. AND BECAUSE HE HAD TO PICK UP THE BLITZ, IT DID FREE UP PATELLO THERE TO BE ABLE TO GET THE PRESSURE. NICE JOB BY WEIGMAN DROPPING, DROPPING, DROPPING, DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO GIVE HIMSELF A CHANCE. BUT NOTRE DAME TOO MUCH PRESSURE DOWN THE FIELD. >> Chris: SO THE VERY COSTLY FALSE START AND POTENTIALLY A COSTLY MOMENT HERE AS MARK NABOU, THE STARTING CENTER FOR THE AGGIES TONIGHT IS BEING TENDED TO BY THE ATHLETIC TRAINING SNAP. BOTH COACHES TALKED ABOUT IT, IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS, THE AGGIES ARE EXCITED, TOO. THEY'RE NOT BATTLING THE CROWD NOISE, BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR POISE. >> Kirk: YEAH. GO BACK TO WHAT MARCUS FREEMAN SAID TO HOLLY ROWE. IT IS ABOUT THE NEXT PLAY. ALL COACHES TALK ABOUT THAT. MARCUS, HE TRAVELED AROUND THE NFL VISITED WITH A LOT OF GMs AND HEAD COACHES. A LOT OF THEM KEPT ECHOING THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE AND BEING ABLE TO ADAPT AND MOVE PASSED A NEGATIVE PLAY. THAT'S GETTING CHALLENGED TONIGHT. >> Chris: NABOU, THEY HAVE TAKEN THAT BRACE OFF HIS LEFT KNEE, THE JUNIOR FROM WASHINGTON STATE. ONE OF THE MASSIVE AGGIE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN. ALL OF THEM AT LEAST 315 POUNDS. AS A BIG EDGE, NOTRE DAME'S ATHLETIC FRONT IS QUICK, BUT NOT AMONG THE BIGGEST. LOOKS LIKE HE'S ABLE TO AT LEAST WALK OFF. >> Kirk: SO THAT FALSE START BY THE RECEIVER PUSHES IT BACK, AND NOW INSTEAD OF THAT FIRST DOWN TO KEEP IT ALIVE. NOW THEY WILL GIVE THE BALL BACK TO THE IRISH. >> Chris: THIS COULD BE A DEFENSIVE FIELD POSITION KIND OF GAME. BOTH PUNTERS ARE DEBUTING TONIGHT. THIS IS FRESHMAN TYLER WHITE. AND GETS IT AWAY AND DRIVES IT BEAUTIFULLY INTO THAT BREEZE. AND THE FAIR CATCH MADE BY FAISON BACK AT THE 12 YARD LINE. SO THE AGGIES FIFIGHGHT T FIFIGHGHT T FIFIGHGT >> WELL, I'M HERE ON THE SIDELINE WITH RILEY LEONARD'S BACKUP HELMET SO WE CAN LISTEN IN TO THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. I LISTENED TO COACH GIVE HIM THOSE COMMANDS. THEY ARE VERY SHORT AND EFFICIENT. AN ECONOMY OF WORDS. HE WILL GIVE HIM TEMPO. HE WILL REMIND HIM OF DOWN AND DISTANCE. TRYING TO LISTEN IN NOW TO SEE IF HE COULD GET THE PLAY CALL. THEY'RE CUTTING IT OFF AT 20 SECONDS. THEY ARE GIVING RILEY A LITTLE TIME TO PROCESS, CALL THE PLAY AND LET HIS FELLOW LINEMEN KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. >> Kirk: YOU TALK ABOUT TRUST. HOLLY IS DOWN THERE WITH A HELMET LISTENING TO PLAYS. >> Chris: WELL, LEONARD ROSE TO HIS RIGHT. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT? IF THESE GUYS ARE QUARTERBACK THAT HAVEN'T PLAYED A TON OF FOOTBALL, IT IS A LOT TO THINK ABOUT? >> Kirk: YEAH. BUT I THINK THEY'VE GOTTEN SO MANY REPS. HOLLY IS DIALED IN. SHE'S GETTING A CALL HERE. HE HAS 15 SECONDS TO GET THE COMMUNICATION. IF YOU GET IT QUICK ENOUGH, HOLLY, YOU CAN TALK TO HIM RIGHT NOW. >> OKAY. HE JUST CUT IT OFF. SEE HOW MUCH TIME THEY'RE GIVING HIM TO PROCESS BEFORE THE PLAY. NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO DO IT EXACTLY THIS WAY, BUT I LOVE THAT HE'S REMINDING HIM OF DOWN AND DISTANCE AND TEMPO, PLUS THE PLAY CLOCK. >> Kirk: HOLLY, I JUST SAY YOU THROW THAT HELMET ON. >> Chris: OH! INACCURATE THROW, ALMOST INTERCEPTED. TRIED TO FIND BEAUX COLLINS. >> Kirk: THEY BROUGHT THE PRESSURE. NOBODY PICKED IT UP RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, OFFENSIVE LINE. AGAIN, THE YOUTH, INEXPERIENCE, TALENTED. AT TIMES JUST A MISCOMMUNICATION TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT PRESSURE RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF RILEY LEONARD. >> Chris: YOU PRACTICE WITH THAT HELMET IN CROWD NOISE AND PRACTICE. BUT IT'S BEEN TOUGH FOR QUARTERBACKS. YOU CAN TELL IN THE EARLY SEASON WHEN THE CROWD IS DEAFENING TO HEAR CLEARLY. 3rd DOWN AND 7. >> Kirk: HIS THIRD THIRD DOWN OF THE GAME. >> Chris: PRESSURE. HE SPINS FREE. AND LEONARD SHORT ARMS THE BALL. HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT THERE, FORD WAS WIDE OPEN. BUT KENNEDY PROVIDED THE PRESSURE. >> Kirk: YEAH. KENNEDY IS STACKED RIGHT HERE. AGAIN, SEE HOW THEY HAVE A DEFENSIVE LINE MAN HERE. THEY HAVE ONE OUT HERE AND OUT HERE. THAT PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH GUYS ARE COMING BESIDES THOSE THREE, SO YOU ARE GUESSING AND WAITING TO SEE WHO COMES. NOBODY AGAIN PICKS UP THE PRESSURE. KENNEDY COMES FREE. HOW ABOUT THE EFFORT BY RILEY LEONARD? SOMEHOW KEEPS THAT PLAY ALIVE AND ALMOST CAME UP WITH A BIG PLAY. >> Chris: FIRST BUMP FOR THE IRISH AND THE 25-YEAR-OLD FROM AUSTRALIA, MAKES HIS COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND AMERICAN FOOTBALL DEBUT. HE WANTED TO GET IT OFF JUST QUICKLY. IT IS LIKE A KNUCKLEBALL, NOT VERY PRETTY. BUT IT WILL GET A DECENT ROLL DOWN TO THE 37. IMAGINE HIS HEART RATE. HE PLAYED AUSSIE FOOTBALL, BUT IS BRAND-NEW TO THIS SPORT. >> Kirk: RIGHT. A HECK OF A WAY TO GET STARTED. >> Chris: TOMORROW NIGHT ON ABC, YOU GUYS ARE OFF TO VEGAS IN THE BOOTH. I'M BACK TO THE U.S. OPEN. HOW ABOUT THIS ONE, USC AND LSU. >> Kirk: CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THAT. CALEB WILLIAMS AND JADEN DANIELS OFF TO THE NFL. ONE GUY WON THE HEISMAN TWO YEARS AGO. DANIELS WINS IT LAST YEAR. BOTH THESE COACHES IN THIS THIRD YEAR. IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE HOW THIS GO. MAYBE THE BEST MATCHUP OF THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. >> Chris: 6:30 BATON ROUGE TIME. 4:30 IN L.A. FIRST DOWN HANDOFF. MOSS HAMMERS AHEAD OFF THE RIGHT SIDE. ON THE OTHER SIDE, JACK KISER IS WEARING THE HELMET. COMMUNICATING WITH THE GRADUATE LINEBACKER THAT CAN RELY THINGS TO HIS TEAMMATES. HE'S NUMBER 24. SEE RIGHT THERE AT THE FIRST DOWN STRIPE, SIGNALING. WEIGMAN PUMP FAKE, HAS TIME, MAKES THE CUT AND WILL SCRAMBLE AND DIVE FOR A FIRST DOWN UP NEAR MID-FIELD BEFORE KISER GOT HIM DOWN. THAT'S WHAT HE CAN DO. >> Kirk: A LITTLE CONFUSING BY AUSBERRY IN THE MIDDLE. THE BALL IS ABOUT TO BE SNAPPED. YOU CAN SEE KISER. EVERYONE IS TRYING TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE. BECAUSE OF THAT, HE CLEARS EVERYBODY OUT. THERE IS NO ONE EXCEPT KISER THERE TO BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE QUARTERBACK. SO THAT EMPTY LOOK THAT TIME FOR WHATEVER REASON REALLY CAUSED AN ISSUE FOR THE COMMUNICATION AND THE BACKERS TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE. >> Chris: A COUPLE SCRAMBLES FOR WEIGMAN WHO MOVES THE STICKS AGAIN. WALKER ON THE JET SWEEP, HAS A LEAD BLOCKER. IT IS A NICE PLAY DESIGN FOR COACH COLLINS. THEY PICK UP SEVEN. >> Kirk: AND THIS IS KIND OF A WRINKLE HERE THAT COLIN KLEIN LIKES TO DO. HE'S GOING TO PULL LINEMEN THIS WAY. USUALLY THAT'S AN INDICATOR FOR THESE GUYS TO THINK THE BALL IS GOING THIS WAY. SO YOU READ THE LINE MEN. OKAY, FOLLOW THE BALL. INSTEAD, IT GOES THE OTHER WAY. AGAIN, A LITTLE WRINKLE TO MESS WITH THE MINDS OF THOSE LINEBACKERS. >> Chris: YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS IF YOU ARE COLIN KLEIN TO PICK IT UP. NICE GAME. MOSS AGAIN TRIES THE LEFT SIDE. AND BEHIND THAT BIG OFFENSIVE LINE, THEY MOVE THE SIX AGAIN, INSIDE THE 40. >> Kirk: YEAH. THIS TIME THEY PULL THE CENTER AND GET OUT IN FRONT. IF YOU ARE AN A&M FAN, THIS IS KIND OF WHAT I THINK THIS OFFENSE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR, A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. GOOD JOB OF WINNING THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, GETTING BEHIND THE CENTER, 61. NICE CREASE THERE. NOW YOU GO TO THE PASS. >> Chris: WEIGMAN AGAIN TAKES A LOOK. COMES BACK TO THE LEFT. THEN THE THROW IS LOW AND INCOMPLETE TOWARDS CYRUS ALLEN. >> Kirk: YOU'RE SEEING MULTIPLE FORMATIONS, DIFFERENT PERSONNEL GROUPINGS. YOU ARE SEEING A BALL RUN TO THE OUTSIDE. YOU ARE GIVING DIFFERENT INDICATORS FOR THE LINEBACKERS, FALSE READS FOR THEM. THIS IS A LOT WHEN YOU TRY TO UNWRAP THIS OFFENSE WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEFENSE COMMUNICATING AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BUST A GAP AND GIVE UP A BIG PLAY. >> Chris: OGUNBIYI IS THE BACKUP CENTER NOW. AND THE HANDOFF AGAIN. THIS TIME IT'S DANIEL WHO MUSCLES DOWN NEAR THE 32. >> Kirk: I WILL LET YOU SAY THAT TIME AGAIN, CHRIS, BECAUSE HE'S A PART OF A NICE DOUBLE TEAM HERE WITH REED-ADAMS. HE PICKS UP THE BLITZ RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. JACK KISER IS ABLE TO TRY TO GET PRESSURE. BUT NICE JOB BY YOUR GUY IN THE MIDDLE THERE PICKING THAT BLITZ UP. >> Chris: SO AS EXPECTED, PLENTY OF DEFENSE. EACH TEAM WITH A FIELD GOAL ON THE BOARD AFTER THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER HERE IN COLLEGE STATION. IT IS THREE APIECE. BACK AFTER THIS MESSAGE AND A WORD FROM YOUR LOCAL ABC STATION. YOU'RE WATCHING THE SEC ON ABC. C >> Chris: GLAD YOU ARE WITH US. THE S.E.C. ON ABC. SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE. LARGEST STADIUM IN THE S.E.C. FOURTH LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY. LONG ANTICIPATED COLLISION ON OPENING NIGHT. JUST THE SIXTH EVER MEETING BETWEEN THESE PROGRAMS. AND THE FIRST IN 23 YEARS. THE QUARTER BEGINS WITH A 3rd AND 3 FOR THE AGGIES. AND THAT TIME THE IRISH ARE PUTTING ACROSS AT TEXAS A&M, ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PRE-SNAP PENALTIES. THIS WILL BACK THEM UP AND MAKE IT A MUCH TOUGHER PROPOSITION ON THIRD. >> Referee: OFFENSE NUMBER 71. FIVE YARD PENALTY. THIRD DOWN. >> Chris: HOLLY, YOU TALKED TO MIKE ELKO MOMENTS AGO. >> COACH ELKO, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOUR QUARTERBACK WAS UNDER CENTER AND PLAYING. WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN WITH HIM AND HIS OPERATION SO FAR? >> I THINK HE'S DOING GOOD. I THINK A COUPLE THROWS WE WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE ON TARGET, BUT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, FOR THE FIRST TIME BACK, HE'S DOING REALLY WELL. >> THANKS, COACH. >> YEP. >> Chris: TWO PENALTIES ON THE THIRD DOWN FOR THIS AGGIE OFFENSE. THEY NEED EIGHT NOW. WEIGMAN IN THE FLAT. CATCH MADE BY WALKER, WHO LOOPED AROUND BUT DOES NOT GET NEAR THE MARKERS. TOP OF THE 32 BY DONOVAN. >> Kirk: I LOVE HOW SHULER WHO IS A NEW STARTER FOR THIS DEFENSE HOW HE COMES IN AND FORCES THIS BACK INSIDE RIGHT THERE. HE DIDN'T MAKE THE PLAY, BUT HE TOOK AWAY THE OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITY, PUT THE FOOTBALL BACK TO THE MIDDLE WHERE THE REST OF THE WHITE JERSEYS COULD FLY TO THE BALL. THAT'S A NICE PLAY THERE. >> Chris: THE EXPERIENCED KICKER SAID, HEY, IT IS PRETTY BREEZY DOWN HERE. IT DOESN'T USUALLY GET THAT WINDY INSIDE THIS CAVERNOUS STADIUM, KIND OF SWIRLING. AND THIS FIELD GOAL WILL SNEAK INSIDE THE LEFT UPRIGHT. AND THE AGGIES WILL RECLAIM THE LEAD. NICE BOOT FROM 49. IRISH GO BACK TO >> Chris: MIKE ELKO A RESPECTED DEFENSIVE LINE. HE HAS DRAMATICALLY AND QUICKLY TURNED AROUND DEFENSES ONCE HE GETS THERE. DID IT AT WAKE. DID IT AT NOTRE DAME A COUPLE COORDINATORS BEFORE MARCUS FREE MAN GOT THERE. DID IT UNDER JIMBO FISHER. THIS IS A METRIC SIXTH HIS LAST YEAR BEFORE HE WENT TO DUKE AS THE HEAD COACH. LOOK AT THE TURN-AROUND THERE AT DURHAM. >> Kirk: IT IS INCREDIBLE. I THINK A LOT OF THE REASON WHY HE GOT THIS OPPORTUNITY IS BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST SAW ON THAT LIST. HE IS A DEFENSIVE MASTERMIND IN THIS SPORT. >> Chris: ZIRKEL'S KICK SAILS OVER THE HEAD OF HARRISON. NOW, ELKO'S KITCHEN, HE SAYS THE INGREDIENTS WERE NOT QUITE AS ROBUST AS HE'S GOT NOW. 58th. THEN SOME FOUR AND FIVE-STAR RECRUITS. THEN THEY MADE SOME MAC AND CHEESE AND A COUPLE OF EIGHT-WIN SEASONS. LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS IN THIS KITCHEN. A LOT MORE TO WORK WITH, ALL OF THOSE HYPED RECRUITS. HE SAID YOU HAVE TO DEVELOP GRIT AND COHESIVENESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THOSE HAVE BEEN THE MAIN AMBITIONS SINCE COMING HERE. >> Kirk: I'M EATING AT DUKE'S TRAINING TABLE. YOU ARE DEFINITELY AT A&M. >> Chris: I LIKE IT RARE, PLEASE. RILEY PULLS IT, TRIES TO GET IT IN THE FLAP, BUT THE TIGHT END COULDN'T REALLY GET FREE. RYE LAND KENNEDY BROUGHT THE PRESSURE. >> Kirk: CHRIS, YOU'RE RIGHT. WE ALL LOVE JIMBO FISHER. IT DIDN'T WORK OUT. THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THINGS GOT SIDEWAYS. MIKE ELKO BRINGS ACCOUNTABILITY, WORK ETHIC, DISCIPLINE, AND THAT'S WHO HE IS. HE WILL DEMAND THAT FROM HIS TEAM. HE WILL DEMAND THAT FROM THE CULTURE HE WILL CREATE HERE IN COLLEGE STATION. >> Chris: HE SAYS YOU DON'T BECOME A NATIONAL BRAND. YOU LEAD WITH FACILITIES AND RECRUITING. IT HELPS, BUT IT IS ON FIELD GRIT AND TOUGHNESS, WHICH IS WHAT HE'S TRYING TO BRING. THE CROWD REALLY NOISY ON SECOND AND TEN. IT'S PICKED OFF AND THE PITCH IS MADE TO THE PERIMETER. AND THAT'S A NICE COMPLETION FOR A FIRST DOWN, CAUGHT BY KRIS MITCHELL. >> Kirk: AND MITCHELL IS KNOWN FROM FIY AS A GUY THAT COULD GO VERTICAL. DO YOU THINK HE'S GOING DEEP? NO, BREAKS OUT EARLY AND AWAY TO THE OUTSIDE. PERFECTLY THROWN BALL THAT TIME BY RILEY LEONARD AND GREAT TIMING THAT TIME. >> Chris: HE'S THEIR FASTEST RECEIVER. LEONARD CLIMBS THE POCKET AND PUTS IN SHORT. JAYDEN THOMAS MAKES THE CATCH AND HE DIVES ACROSS MID-FIELD. >> Kirk: CHRIS, HOW ABOUT THAT? YEAH, I KNOW HE CAN RUN, BUT WHAT CAN HE DO AS A PASSER. HOW ABOUT THIS. WATCH HIS HEAD LEFT, STEP UP, EYES DOWN FIELD, FINDS HIS MAN, WELL DONE. >> Chris: IRISH PASS GAME GETTING SOME CHUCKS NOW. PICKED UP 13. THAT'S ONE WAY TO QUIET A HUGE CROWD. >> Kirk: ABSOLUTELY. HE SEEMS TO BE SETTLING IN HERE. REMEMBER, WORKING WITH THAT YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE, LEFT TACKLE AS A FRESHMAN. >> Chris: THREE-MAN RUSH TAKES ON QUICKLY THAT TIME. NO GAIN AS HE'S STOPPED BY THE LEADING SACKER A YEAR AGO FROM PURDUE. >> Kirk: TEN SACKS A YEAR AGO GOING UP AGAINST A TRUE FRESHMAN. HERE HE IS. WATCH THE SPIN MOVE THAT FREES HIM UP. HE'S LIKE A SEASONED PRO WITH THE VETERAN EXPERIENCE. WITH THE COLLEGE AT PURDUE, RIGHT HERE, WENT UP AS A LINEBACKER. PUT 50 POUNDS ON AND NOW HE'S BACK HOME PLAYING DEFENSIVE END. >> Chris: HE DIDN'T LIKE THE AGGIES GROWING UP. HE LIKES THEM FINE NOW. HE'S HELPED GUYS IMPROVE WITH HIS INTENSITY AT PRACTICE. HE'S FORCED DOWN FOR A LOSS. >> Kirk: YOU WANT TO SEE HOW TO DEFEND THOSE QUICK THROWS THAT SO MANY COLLEGE TEAMS DO? TYREKE SHAPEL JUST SHOWED YOU HOW TO DO IT. OKAY, WE GOT A BUBBLE. THROW IT OUT THERE. SEE HOW HE GOT OFF THAT BLOCK FROM THOMAS, GOT TO THE OUTSIDE, BEAUTIFUL PLAY THAT TIME DEFENSIVELY. >> Chris: SHAMAR STEWART, THESE GUYS LOOKING TO GET AFTER LEONARD RIGHT NOW ON 3rd AND 13. FLUSHED. TRIES TO CREATE ON THE RUN. HE HAS TO TUCK IT AND HE'S PUSHED OUT FOR ANOTHER SHORT LOSS. SCOOBY WILLIAMS GAVE CHASE AND THE AGGIES RISE UP AND GET A STOP. >> Kirk: YOU HAVE THE YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE. LOOK AT HIS PRESSURE. ALL THESE GUYS UP TOP. WHO IS GOING TO COME? THEY COME HERE. THEY DROP HERE. AFFECTS THE COMMUNICATION. FREES UP THAT PASS RUSH. SIMULATED PRESSURE AND AWAY HE GOES. WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE OPEN. THAT'S THE STORY LINE FOR NOTRE DAME. IT IS NOT RILEY LEONARD. IT IS HOW THEY PLAY IN FRONT OF HIM. RIGHT NOW ON THOSE THIRD DOWNS, IT IS TOUGH. >> Chris: SCOOBY WILLIAMS, A GUY THAT GAME FROM FLORIDA ALONG WITH JAY BATEMAN, THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR. SO THE AUSSIE TO BOOT IT AWAY. THE FRESHMAN WAITING INSIDE THE TEN. GOT TO HURRY. I DON'T THINK THEY'RE TOO CAUGHT UP IN A DELAY OF GAME. THE TIME-OUT JUST BEFORE. IS IT WHAT YOU EXPECTED SO FAR? >> Kirk: I REALLY WANTED TO SEE, AND I THINK WE ALL WANTED TO SEE, THE NOTRE DAME OFFENSIVE LINE. TALENTED GUYS. JUST THE COMMUNICATION ASPECT OF IT WITH THIS CROWD NOISE. I MEAN, IT IS TOUGH FOR VETERANS, LET ALONE THESE GUYS AND ESPECIALLY THE TRUE FRESHMAN ON THE LEFT SIDE, KNAPP. BUT AS THE GAME GOES ON, THE IN GAME ADJUSTMENTS WILL HAPPEN. TALKING WITH NICK SABAN TODAY ON "COLLEGE GAME DAY," WEEK ONE YOU ARE SPECULATING. THINK ABOUT A&M, YOU ARE GETTING READY FOR NOTRE DAME'S OFFENSE. YOU ARE LOOKING AT DUKE FILM BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT RILEY LEONARD DID. AND YOU ARE STUDYING LSU FILM BECAUSE OF WHAT HE DID LAST YEAR AT LSU. SO IT TAKES A FIRST HALF TO SETTLE IN, GO IN AND MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. >> Chris: YOU HAVE TO LOOK THROUGH 50 SCHOOLS' FILM. >> Kirk: ESPECIALLY THESE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS. >> Chris: DROPS THE BOOT AND POINTS IT HIGH. BUSSEY WILL FIELD IT AT THE EIGHT. MAKES A COUPLE OF GUYS MISS AND SPINS DOWN AT THE 17 YARD LINE. NINE YARD RETURN. AGGIES BACK TO WORK FROM THEIR 18. One Bank Guy! That's me! Could we get a selfie? Of course! Say, "no fees or minimums on your Capital One checking account!" >>> SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? >> Chris: BOTH THOSE GUYS HAD OTHER SPORTS AS FIRST LOVES. LEONARD WAS A HOOPER FIRST. HIS DAD PLAYED BASKETBALL. SAID ABOUT WEIGMAN, HE WAS A BASEBALL PLAYER. CERTAINLY A MAJOR LEAGUE PROSPECT. COULD HAVE PLAYED BASEBALL HERE AT A&M BUT MADE THE SMART CHOICE TO FOCUS ON FOOTBALL WHEN HE FOUND OUT HE COULD WIN THE JOB. >> Kirk: HE SAID HIS GOAL WAS TO PLAY BASEBALL, BUT ONCE HE HAD THE INJURY IT WAS JUST ABOUT GETTING BACK HERE AND BEING A QUARTERBACK FOR THIS FOOTBALL TEAM. >> Chris: WEIGMAN 4 FOR 10. HAS RUN A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR FIRST DOWNS. FROM THE POCKET HERE, HAS PLENTY OF TIMES AND FIRES. INTERCEPTED! HE THREW IT OVER THE RECEIVER'S HEAD! AND AIDEN SHULER HAS THE PICK. TOUGH JERSEY KID. HE SAID HE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO JOIN XAVIER WATTS IN THAT SECONDARY AS AN ELITE SAFETY. THAT'S A HECK OF A PLAY. >> Kirk: YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB OF? HE WILL SIT BACK HERE IN CENTER FIELD, READ THE QUARTERBACK'S EYES. THE QUARTERBACK STEPS UP, THAT IS NOT AN ACCURATE BALL. YOU CAN SEE WHY HE THREW IT WITH THE RECEIVER FINALLY GETTING SEPARATION. BUT THE BALL SAILS ON HIM OVER THE RECEIVER'S HANDS AND RIGHT INTO THE ARMS THERE OF THE SAFETY, SHULER. LIKE I SAID, HE'S HAVING A GREAT GAME HERE TONIGHT. IT'S HIS FIRST START. PHYSICAL PLAYER, BUT THERE IT SHOWS HE CAN ROAM IN CENTER FIELD AND PLAY INSTINCTIVELY. >> Chris: IRISH OFFENSE SET UP INSIDE THE 30. THE FIRST TAKEAWAY TONIGHT. LOVE TOUCHBACK. KNOCKED DOWN AFTER ABOUT FOUR YARDS. THEY CHECK THE TABLET THERE. THIS IS A NEW WRINKLE, TOO. BESIDES THE COMMUNICATION IN THE HELMET, YOU CAN CHECK THAT TABLET AND DO IMMEDIATE TEACHING ON THE SIDELINES. >> Kirk: THAT TABLET IS VIDEO. MARCUS FREEMAN LOOKING AT IT. THE NFL, IT'S JUST SHOTS. IT IS A SNAPSHOT OF THE ACTUAL PLAY. THIS IS VIDEO IN THE COLLEGE GAME THIS YEAR THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT. >> Chris: HUGELY IMPORTANT, RIGHT? >> Kirk: YEAH, IT IS. >> Chris: IT'S A RUN ALL THE WAY. LEONARD GETS AROUND THE EDGE. HE GETS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AND THE CONVOY HELPS HIM DIVE FORWARD. AGGIES ARE POINTING AT NOTRE DAME. >> Kirk: I THINK THEY HAD A HOLDING THERE AND TIGHT END. COOPER FLANAGAN GOT A HOLD OF THE JERSEY. >> Referee: 10 YARD PENALTY, SECOND DOWN. >> Chris: FLANAGAN AN INCREASED ROLE BECAUSE THEIR PASS CATCHING TIGHT END HAD AN ACL IN OCTOBER. STILL NOT FULLY BACK AND READY FOR COMPLETE ACTION. THERE HE IS. WHEN HE'S IN THERE, MAN, HE IS A GUY DEFENSES HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR. >> Kirk: YEAH. THAT'S A HUGE MISCUE THERE. EITHER IT WAS GOING TO BE A FIRST DOWN OR THIRD AND ABOUT A HALF A YARD. NOW YOU GO WAY BACK AND IN THEIR MINDS THEY HAVE GOT TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS TURNOVER IN PLUS TERRITORY. >> Chris: SECOND AND 16, UNDERNEATH SCREEN. AND TRYING TO WORK FREE IS BEAUX COLLINS. A NICE JOB. GETS BUMPED OUT, BUT THEY GET A HUGE CHUNK OF YARDAGE BACK. >> Kirk: WE REMEMBER HIM AT CLEMSON. HE CAME THERE FROM DJ. HE HAS SETTLED IN VERY NICELY TO THIS OFFENSE. MIKE TELLING US THIS WEEK OF ALL THESE NEW RECEIVERS, AND THEY FEEL GOOD ABOUT SIX OF THEM, THEY THINK COLLINS COULD HAVE A GOOD YEAR. >> Chris: SPOTTED HIM BACK FARTHER THAN I THOUGHT. NOW IT WILL BE 3rd AND 5. >> Kirk: THAT'S A BIG TIGHT END RIGHT THERE, EVANS. >> Chris: LEONARD LOOKING TO THE END ZONE. LOOPING THROW FOR GREATHOUSE, AND IT'S INTERFERENCE. A FLAG CAME IN LATE. HE WAS DEFENDED BY TYREKE CHAPEL, THE NICKEL BACK. >> Kirk: HE NEVER TURNED HIS HEAD TO LOOK FOR THE FOOTBALL. I WILL LEAVE IT TO BILL. BUT LOOK AT THE CORNER AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE. >> Referee: PASS INTERFERENCE DEFENSE NUMBER 7. >> HE'S NOT PLAYING THE BALL. RUNS HIM OFF TO THE OUTSIDE. CONTACT. PASS INTERFERENCE. >> Kirk: IF HE TURNED HIS HEAD AND WAS RUNNING STRIDE FOR STRIDE AND HAD THAT SAME CONTACT, WHAT WOULD THE CALL BE? >> I'D LEAVE IT ALONE. >> Kirk: THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. >> Chris: SO THAT'S THE FOURTH PENALTY ON THIRD DOWN AGAINST THIS A&M DEFENSE, CRUSHING. AND THE IRISH TRYING TO CASH IN THE INTERCEPTION AND HAVE A FIRST AND GOAL. >> Kirk: YEAH. I TALKED ABOUT EVANS. YOU JUST MENTIONED HIM. ALSO THE BIG TIGHT END, NUMBER 9, HE SETTLED UP ON THE LEFT SIDE. >> Chris: TWO TIGHT ENDS. HANDOFF LOVE. THAT'S NOT AS BIG A PART FOR THEM AS IT HAS BEEN AT NOTRE DAME. THEY DON'T EXPECT TO RUN AS MANY TIGHT END SETS THIS YEAR. >> Kirk: WE HAVE SEEN HIM IN A LOT OF TIGHT END RECEIVER LOOKS THIS YEAR. IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT LOOK HERE WITH THIS OFFENSE, WITH COACH. >> Chris: HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE RUNNING GAME GOING AT ALL. 15 RUSHING YARDS IN THEIR NINE PLAYS. >> Kirk: I THINK A LOT OF THAT, CHRIS, IS THEY'RE OUTNUMBERED IN THE BOX. THOSE SAFETIES AND BACKERS ARE FLYING DOWNHILL, LEAVING THE CORNERS ON ISLANDS. >> Chris: TWO TIGHT ENDS AND A RECEIVER BUNCHED RIGHT. LEONARD IS LOOKING THAT WAY, LOOPS TO THE END ZONE. AND TOGETHER MISCOMMUNICATION. LOVE TURNED THE WRONG WAY. THE THROW INTO THE OUTSIDE. >> Kirk: HE WANTED A BACK SHOULDER FADE THERE FROM THE SLOT. REMEMBER, LOVE IS A RUNNING BACK, AND THEY FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT THEY MATCH HIM UP AGAINST SAFETIES. HERE HE TRIES TO GO UP FIELD, AND THE EXPERIENCED QUARTERBACK IS TRYING TO PUSH HIM AWAY. YOU DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF ROOM TO GO UPFIELD. HE'S TRYING TO PUSH HIM HORIZONTALLY WHERE HE HAS ROOM TO WORK. BUT A RUNNING BACK TRYING TO GET OUT THERE IN THE SLOT. >> Chris: IT'S ONE FOR THREE ON THIRD. THIRD AND GOAL HERE. PLAY CLOCK AT FIVE. LEONARD SCRAMBLING, TIES TO CREATE ON THE MOVE. FIRES INTO THE TRAFFIC IN THE END ZONE. INCOMPLETE. WAS TRYING TO GET DEVYN FORD. AND AN AGGIE DEFENDER DOWN ON THE FIELD AFTER THE PLAY. IT'S NICK SCORETON, THE PASS RUSHER WHO AWKWARDLY FELL OVER A MAN AS HE WAS TRYING TO PURSUE LEONARD. >> Kirk: HE'S A GREAT PLAYER. WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HIS ABILITY TO RUSH THE QUARTERBACK THERE. BOY, RILEY LEONARD WAS GETTING AWAY FROM PRESSURE IN THE BACK OF THE END ZONE. THE BIG TIGHT END, MITCHELL EVANS, WAS THERE. >> Chris: WE ALWAYS HATE TO SEE THESE INJURIES ANY TIME WHEN A GUY FROM EAST LAFAYETTE COMES HERE, ONE YEAR AT A&M. >> Kirk: I LOVE THAT. OH, MAN. >> Chris: WAS ABLE TO GET UP AND JOG OFF. TURNED 20 JUST THREE DAYS AGO. GOT A VERY EXTENSIVE PASS RUSH REPERTOIRE, ALMOST 290 POUNDS, THICKLY BUILT. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN OVERCOME THIS. IN THE MEANTIME, THE AGGIES DO GET OFF THE FIELD. THE IRISH UNABLE TO CASH IN THE INTERCEPTION FOR A TOUCHDOWN. AND JETER A CHIP SHOT. 26 TO TIE THE GAME AGAIN. SO TWICE NOTRE DAME HAS ANSWERED AN A&M FIELD GOAL WITH ONE OF THEIR TETEAMAM >> Kirk: FIRST TOUCHDOWN WINS TONIGHT, CHRIS. WE EXPECTED A LOT OF DEFENSE, AND WE HAVE GOTTEN IT. TALK ABOUT THE LIVE MAS STUDENT SECTION, ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND LOUDEST AND MOST FAMOUS IN THE COUNTRY ALL SEASON LONG. DOWNLOAD THE TACO BELL APP TO LEARN MORE. BIGGEST CAMPUS IN THE COUNTRY. 70,000 STUDENTS STRONG. THE GOOD NEWS IS THE EAST STANDS ARE OUT OF THE SUN. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THEM IN THAT UPPER DECK FOR MOST OF THE GAME. BUT WE'RE GOOD NOW UP THERE. >> Chris: LITTLE NOTRE DAME GREEN DOTTING THIS BIG PLACE. IRISH FAITHFUL A CHANCE TO COME DOWN HERE AND GET THEIR FIRST LOOK AT KYLE FIELD IN A COUPLE OF DECADES. BUSSEY FIRST KICK RETURN OF THE NIGHT FROM THE TWO YARD LINE. HE WILL BE STOPPED JUST SHORT OF THE 20. IRISH DEFENSE WITH AL GOLDEN AND ALL THOSE VETERANS SO FAR. >> Kirk: THEY HAVE DONE A NICE JOB. THEY'RE AFFECTING NOT JUST THIS LINE BUT WEIGMAN REALLY NOT SELLING INTO THIS GAME WITH HIS ACCURACY. YOU SAW THE INTERCEPTION. THERE IS A GREAT BLITZ HERE FROM A GREAT DISTANCE, BUT SHULER IS ABLE TO AFFECT THAT ONE. ONLY 42 YARDS. HERE IS THE BALL THAT GOT AWAY FROM THEM. A LITTLE BIT OF PRESSURE LATE. BUT THAT BALL SAILS. THERE'S SHULER AGAIN. HE'S BEEN SHOWING UP. WATTS IS THE ALL-AMERICAN. BOY, WE HAVE TALKING ABOUT 8 WHO HAS BEEN ROAMING IN CENTER FIELD. >> Chris: AND OFF AND FALLING FORWARD FOR A SOLID FIRST DOWN IS MOSS. STOPPED BY BOWEN. >> A&M DOES NOT DO INJURY UPDATES BUT THEY DID A LIGAMENT STABILITY TEST. HE WENT INTO THE INJURY TENT FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. HE IS BACK OUT ON THE BENCH WITH AN URGENCY AS IF HE CAN RETURN. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED. >> Chris: CATCH MADE. ALLEN CURLS AND MAKES A FIRST DOWN ACROSS THE 35. THAT'S GOOD NEWS. >> Kirk: THAT IS GREAT NEWS, GREAT REPORT THERE FROM HOLLY. WE'LL GET ANOTHER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN NOW DOWN FROM TEXAS A&M. >> Chris: ALREADY NABOU THE STARTING CENTER HAS GONE OUT. FAAIU STEPPED IN TO REPLACE HIM. THIS IS REED-ADAMS, THE STARTING RIGHT GUARD. ONE FIRST DOWN, THE OFFENSE HASN'T GOTTEN TO 100 YARDS YET. I'M NOT SURPRISED. >> Kirk: I'M NOT. I THINK THIS IS WHAT THE WEEK ONE BIG-TIME MATCHUPS ARE ABOUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL. NOTRE DAME ON THE ROAD. TO ME, I KEEP TALKING ABOUT IN GAME ADJUSTMENTS, ESPECIALLY AT HALFTIME. RIGHT NOW THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR FROM A&M, HE'S TRYING TO GET HIS QUARTERBACK TO JUST SETTLE IN. THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO RUNNING THE FOOTBALL, GIVING THOSE MULTIPLE LOOKS. ON THE OTHER SIDE, BECAUSE OF THIS ATMOSPHERE, THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH WHATEVER PLAN HE CAN. THEY HAVE GREAT FIELD POSITION AND ONLY CAME AWAY WITH A FIELD GOAL. >> Chris: BIG PROBLEM, THE AVERAGE THIRD DOWN YARDS TO MAKE TONIGHT 9.2. THAT IS NEVER GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AGAINST MIKE ELKO ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY. REED-ADAMS ABLE TO WALK OFF. I THINK 330-POUND JUNIOR FROM KANSAS. WEIGMAN TRYING TO GET A LONG MARCH. AND GREAT PENETRATION OFF THE EDGE TO MAKE A TACKLE THERE, AS ROD HERN, THE FREE SAFETY. >> Kirk: YOU CAN SEE THE DEPTH THAT THEY HAVE ON THE BACK END. SHULER, WATTS, THIS TIME THE TRANSFER FROM NORTHWESTERN. HE CAN PLAY EVERYWHERE, SAFETY, NICKEL, CORNER. HE'S ALMOST LINED UP IN THAT MONEY SPOT LIKE A LINEBACKER. >> Chris: ALL COMPLIMENTING THE UNANIMOUS ALL-AMERICAN FROM A YEAR AGO, XAVIER WATTS. WEIGMAN SHORT THROW ACROSS THE MIDDLE. HE LED HIS RECEIVER RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC. THAT WAS WALKER, DANGEROUS THROW. >> Kirk: VERY, VERY DANGEROUS. YOU LIKE THE ROUTE CONCEPT MOTION HERE TO GET UP AND WORK ACROSS. YOU WILL SEE THE RECEIVER COMING IN. WALKER IS JUST TRYING TO GET BEHIND NOAH THOMAS, NUMBER THREE. YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT IS IN TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT'S GOT TO BE A VERY, VERY ACCURATE THROW TO HAVE A CHANCE. >> Chris: MORRISON IS CLOSING IN. SO IS KISER, TWO OF THE BEST DEFENDERS ON THE FIELD. AND NOW ANOTHER THIRD AND LONG. THE AGGIES, THEY NEED 12. THE IRISH RUSH FOR WEIGMAN, BACK PEDDLING, TRYING TO STAY ALIVE AND HE CAN'T. HE'LL BE SACKED BY HOWARD ACROSS THE THIRD. ONE OF THE VETERANS ON THAT DEFENSIVE LINE. HE'S BEEN DOING THAT FOR A FEW YEARS. >> Kirk: HE IS A GREAT PLAYER. HE'S UNDERSIZED, BUT HE BRINGS A PASS RUSH ELEMENT TO THE INTERIOR RIGHT HERE. WATCH HIS SWIM MOVE GOES RIGHT AROUND THE GUARD. NABOU, THE CENTER, IS OVER LATE. WHEN YOU CAN RUSH FOUR ON THIRD DOWN LIKE THIS AND PLAY MAN COVERAGE WITH A COUPLE SAFETIES BACK DEEP, THAT IS TOUGH ON THE QUARTERBACK. GOOD JOB BY THE BIG MAN THERE. >> Chris: HE TWEAKED A HAMMY EARLY IN PRACTICE. HE'S HEALTHY NOW. HE'S KIND OF NIMBLE. >> Kirk: NO DOUBT. >> Chris: HAVE TO HURRY. PLAY CLOCK AT ZERO. TYLER WHITE, THE TRUE FRESHMAN GETS THE BOOT AWAY. THAT'S A GOOD ONE. IT'S A TREMENDOUS ROLL AS THE AGGIES STALL. BUT THEY FLIP THE FIELD WITH A MONSTER PUNT OF 61 YARDS. FIVE SECOND HANG TIME, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT. >> Kirk: IN A GAME LIKE THIS, RIGHT? IT IS ALL ABOUT FIELD POSITION. >> Chris: NOTRE DAME THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE DECENT POSITION. NOT ANYMORE. BOSTON COLLEGE GOES TO TALLAHASSEE WITH AN URGENCY TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER THE LOSS IN DUBLIN. CAPITAL ONE LABOR DAY KICKOFF AT 7:00 EASTERN. THAT'S THE COUNTDOWN. AND THEN THE BALL GAME AT 7:30, ALSO ON THE APP. MIAMI LOOKS LIKE THE TEAM TO BEAT IN THE ACC. >> Kirk: THEY LOOK GREAT. THEY LOOK GREAT TODAY. >> Chris: THEY WENT TO THE SWAMP. THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT CROWD NOISE. THEY WENT IN THERE AND DESTROYED THE GATORS. IRISH IN THERE FROM 14. BRYCE, HE STILL CANNOT RUN INTO THAT HEAVY BOX WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS SO FAR. >> Kirk: THESE DEFENDERS FROM TEXAS A&M WENT INTO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, GETTING OFF BLOCKS. I MENTIONED EARLIER THE BACKERS ARE GETTING DOWNHILL. THEY REALLY DON'T FEEL THE THREAT OF THE VERTICAL PASS GAME. LAST YEAR RILEY LEONARD DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS THROWING THE BALL 20 YARDS OR LONGER. ONLY 23 PASSES. HIS PERCENTAGE WAS 23% DOWN FIELD. SO THEY DON'T FEAR THAT RIGHT NOW. THEY GOT TO MAKE HIM FEAR IT TO GET HIM TO BACK UP. >> Chris: BIG EMPHASIS FOR NOTRE DAME TO COMPLETE THAT PLAY. THAT'S A QUICK STRIKE. ELECTRIC ATHLETE COMES OUT OF THE SLOT. THOMAS KNOCKED HIM DOWN. GREAT LACROSSE PLAYER. JUST A SUPERB ALL-AROUND ATHLETE. CHAMPIONSHIP LACROSSE PLAYER, BY THE WAY. HOBBLES OFF. IT IS A FIRST DOWN. BURSTING UP THE MIDDLE IS PRICE. AND FINALLY A POSITIVE PLAY. RUNS THROUGH A TACKLE. STILL GOING. DEEP INTO AGGIE TERRITORY. PRICE FINALLY GETS LOOSE. THERE IS A FLAG BACK NEAR THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. SO HOLD ON. >> Kirk: WELL, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS. HERE'S A BLOCK RIGHT HERE. IT'S JUST ONE-ON-ONE. ASHTON CRAIG IS ABLE TO CLIMB INTO THAT BACKER. THAT TIME HE HAS ROOM TO GET IT DOWNHILL, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK. >> Chris: TAKES AWAY A 37 YARD GAIN ON THE HOLDING PENALTY. >> Kirk: FINALLY CREASE NOTED IN THIS A&M DEFENSE. IT'S BEEN THAT KIND OF NIGHT. YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE FACIAL EXPRESSION OF MARCUS FREEMAN. MISCUES. HE BROUGHT IT UP ALL WEEK TO US. HERE'S THE HOLD RIGHT HERE. JUST KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THAT BLOCK. I DIDN'T REALIZE HE GOT HIS HANDS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BACKER. THEN HE GRABS ON TO THE JERSEY THERE. GREAT CALL THERE BY THE UMPIRE. >> Chris: NIC SCOURTON BACK IN THE GAME. THAT KNEE DID NOT LOOK TO BE SERIOUS, AND THIS IS GREAT NEWS. 1st AND 14 AFTER THE SPOT FOUL. AND TRY A LOB OFF THE LEFT SIDE, AND HE GETS THE EDGE. JEREMIYAH LOVE SCOOTING DOWN THE SIDELINES HAS RUN OUT-OF-BOUNDS FINALLY BY BRYCE ANDERSON. BUT SUDDENLY THE IRISH RIPPING OFF CHUNKS. THIS ONE WILL COUNT. >> Kirk: YEAH. A NICE KICKOUT BLOCK HERE. WATCH THE GUARD DOING A NICE JOB BEING ABLE TO SEAL THIS TO THE OUTSIDE. GIVES HIM ROOM TO WORK. GOOD EFFORT THERE BY THE WIDE RECEIVER THAT'S GETTING INVOLVED IN BLOCKING. THAT WAS BEAUX COLLINS. >> Chris: A TALENTED CORNER, A TRANSFER FROM ALABAMA AND BEATEN AROUND THE EDGE THERE. AND NOW FROM THE POCKET, LEONARD ZIPS IT INCOMPLETE, INTENDED FOR MITCHELL. >> Kirk: AND YOU GET THAT RUNNING GAME GOING. THEN YOU GO TO THE 1st AND 10 PASSES. IT PUTS YOUR OFFENSIVE LINE OBVIOUSLY IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO BE ABLE TO DICTATE AND HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT PASS PRO. INSTEAD OF SWIMMING UPSTREAM AT 3rd AND 12s AND 3rd AND 9s, GET THAT RUNNING GAME GOING AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOU ATTACK OFFENSIVELY. >> Chris: SEE WHAT THEY CALL HERE ON 2nD AND 10. THEY WILL KEEP IT ON THE GROUND. AND LOVE, NICE WORK WITH SOME QUICK FEET. DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE WAS GOING TO HAVE MUCH SPACE. PICKS UP ABOUT 10. >> Kirk: WE'RE ALL WAITING TO SEE WHO WILL BE THE BACK WITH ESTEME MOVING ON TO THE NFL. HE'S A SPEED GUY LAST YEAR. PUT ON ABOUT 10 TO 15 POUNDS OF MUSCLE. THEY FEEL NOW THIS YEAR HE COULD BECOME THE COMPLETE BACK THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. >> Chris: YEAH. YOU HAD TO ADD STAMINA AND STRENGTH TO BECOME AN EVERY DOWN BACK. ESTEME WAS THAT GUY A YEAR AGO. TRYING TO CLEAN THE LEAD BEFORE HALFTIME. AND ANOTHER FLAG PRE-SNAP. EVERY FIVE YARDS MATTERS WHEN YOU ARE FACING DEFENSES AS GOOD AS THIS, ESPECIALLY ON THE ROAD. >> Referee: OFFENSE NUMBER 54. FIVE YARD PENALTY. FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: THAT'S THE TRUE FRESHMAN KNAPP. >> Kirk: YEAH. I THINK THE SNAP CAME UP LATE. I DIDN'T THINK 54 -- WATCH THE LEFT TACKLE. WATCH THE BALL. I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, THE BALL CAME UP LATE THERE, BILL. WHAT DO YOU THINK. >> WELL, THE LINE MOVED. >> Kirk: YEAH, THE WHOLE LINE MOVED. >> YOU HAVE TO BLAME SOMEBODY. >> Kirk: YEAH, RIGHT. THROW IT ON THE LEFT TACKLE, THE TRUE FRESHMAN. >> Chris: BEHIND THE SIX, SEVEN FORGED IT BACK. AROUND THE END, THEY GIVE IT TO HARRISON, AND HE WILL BE TRACKED DOWN AFTER A SHORT GAIN BY YORK, THE TACKLING MACHINE. >> Kirk: MIKE IS LOOKING DOWN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THIS OFFENSE OUT, GET A LITTLE BIT OF FOOTING. WHAT I SEE IS THIS IS THE BEST DRIVE THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER. THEY'RE WORKING MORE ON THE PERIMETER, THAT TIME THE JET SWEEP. THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET INSIDE WITH GOOD BLOCKING. MUCH BETTER JOB BY THE OFFENSIVE LINE CONTROLLING THINGS ON THIS DRIVE. >> Chris: PICKED UP 7. SECOND AND EIGHT. WEISS BACK IN THE GAME. THEY FAKE IT TO HIM. LEONARD BATTED DOWN AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. HE GOT A HAND UP. WHEREVER HE'S GONE, MIKE ELKO'S DEFENSES HAVE BEEN GREAT AT GETTING HANDS UP AND BATTING DOWN PASSES. >> Kirk: HE TALKED ABOUT HIM GOING OUT AND BEING BACK HERE. REMEMBER, HE WAS A MIDDLE LINEBACKER IN HIGH SCHOOL. THAT'S WHAT HE WENT TO PURDUE AS. HE HAS GOOD INSTINCTS AT TIMES. VISUALLY, HE SEES THE QUARTERBACK, KNOWS HE CAN'T GET TO HIM, JUST GETS THAT HAND UP TO KNOCK IT DOWN. >> Chris: ONCE AGAIN, THIRD AND LONG. THIS IS RIGHT WHERE THEY HAVE AVERAGED ALL NIGHT. THEY NEED NINE. LEONARD IN THE FLAT. FORD, NOWHERE TO RUN. THE AGGIES PURSUED AND THEY HAVE HIM DOWN. IT'S FOURTH DOWN. >> Kirk: HE'S A BEAUTIFUL PLAYER. HE IS FUN TO WATCH. WATCH THIS DEFENSE FLY TO THE BALL AND BE ABLE TO GET OFF THESE BLOCKS. THEY SEE THE MOTION GO BACK. THEY WILL JUST FOLLOW THAT. THE BALL IS OUT IN A HURRY. LOOK AT THESE GUYS FLYING. NOTRE DAME VERY TOUGH. >> Chris: OFFENSE ON THE FIELD. NOT QUITE IN JETER'S FIELD GOAL RANGE, SO 4th AND 8. LAST PLAY BEFORE THE TWO-MINUTE TIME-OUT, IF THEY GIVEN IT IT OFF. LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL RUN DOWN THE TIME AND THINK ABOUT IT. IT WILL BE A PRETTY AGGRESSIVE PLAY CALL HERE. SEE IF THE IRISH DO, IN FACT, WEREN'T MAKING AN ADJUSTMENT. YOU CAN SEE THEY HAD TEN DEFENDERS ON THE FIELD, AND NOTRE DAME LED THE PLAY, THE TIME-OUT ENDED UP OCCURS. THEY WILL NOT GO FOR THIS. MAYBE A&M CATCHES A BREAK THERE. >> Chris: THAT SEEMS LIKE THE SENSIBLE PLAY. YOU DON'T MAKE IT, YOU ARE GIVING THE A&M GREAT FIELD POSITION WITH A CHANCE TO TAKE THE LEAD BEFORE HALFTIME. JUST KICKS IT HIGH AND VERY SHORT, THE BACK SPIN. AND IT IS GOING TO BOUNCE. SO YOU WANT TO GET IN THE WAY OF THAT. IF YOU ARE AN AGGIE, THEY CAME CLOSE TO TOUCHING IT. IT'S DOWN AT THE TEN YARD LINE. AND YOU FIGURE IN A GAME LIKE THIS, AS BAD AS HI WOULD LIKE TO GET THINGS GOING, COLIN KLEIN WILL BE PRETTY CONSERVATIVE. WEIGMAN HAS THROWN A COUPLE OF PASSES INTO TRAFFIC. HAS THE INTERCEPTION, OF COURSE. >> Kirk: MIKE ELKO COMING DOWN AND TALKING WITH THE OFFENSE HERE. I MEAN, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DRIVES WITH ALL THREE TIME-OUTS, YOU KIND OF WAIT TO SEE HOW IT GETS STARTED. YOU KNOW, IF YOU GET A FIRST DOWN AND MAYBE YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF MOMENTUM, MAYBE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND. BUT YOU KIND OF WAIT TO SEE HOW THESE FIRST COUPLE OF PLAYS GO BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, THIS FIRST HALF HAS NOT BEEN A GREAT FIRST HALF FOR THIS OFFENSE. LET'S GIVE CREDIT TO THE NOTRE DAME DEFENSE. THEY LOOKED REALLY, REALLY GOOD. >> Chris: BIG-TIME, AS WE EXPECTED. THE AGGIES TEN YARDS IN THE SECOND QUARTER. THEY CAN GET A COUPLE MORE TO THAT TOTAL RIGHT THERE. SHORT COMPLETION TO WALKER. IMMEDIATE TACKLE BY JADEN MICKEY. SO THAT WAS NOT WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. LET'S SEE IF THEY JUST TRY TO BLEED THE CLOCK DOWN HERE. NOTRE DAME HAS A COUPLE OF TIME-OUTS IF THEY WANT TO START USING THEM. REED-ADAMS, THE RIGHT GUARD WHO LEFT IS BACK IN THE GAME. AND THEY WILL HAND IT OFF TO MOSS. AND SEE IF FREEMAN SPENDS ONE HERE. >> Kirk: YEAH, HE DID. HE'S RIGHT BY THE OFFICIAL THERE. TELL HIM. >> Chris: SO LET'S CHECK OUT WHAT KEVIN HAS GOT IN STORE FOR US AT HALFTIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FORD HALFTIME REPORT MINUTES AWAY. WE'RE IN THE NEW STUDIO. ALABAMA EAST FIRST GAME WITHOUT NICK SABAN IN 28 YEARS. THEY LOOKED GOOD. SO DOES OLE MISS, SO DOES FLORIDA. SO DOES TEXAS. MICHIGAN STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? WELL, HOW ABOUT NO HEAD COACH, DIFFERENT ONE, NEW QUARTERBACK. WE WILL HAVE THOSE HIGHLIGHTS. WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THIS GAME FROM THE QUARTERBACKS? >> BOTH QUARTERBACKS ARE DINKING AND DUNKING. WHICH COACH WILL ALLOW THE QUARTERBACK TO PUSH THE FOOTBALL DOWN THE FIELD? >> PLUS, MIAMI LOOKING PRETTY GOOD. A PRIME TIME PERFORMER COMING YOUR WAY. BACK TO YOU GUYS. >> Chris: CAM WARD REALLY IMPRESSIVE. 'CANES NASTY ON DEFENSE AS WELL. SO 3rd AND 5. A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOLKS CROWDING NEAR THE LINE. MOSS IS THE BACK. TRYING TO DRAW HIM OFF SIDES. YEAH. THEY'VE LEARNED FROM THE POCKET. SHORT PITCH AND THE CATCH IS MADE. NOAH THOMAS TURNS THE CORNER. AND THE LONG RANGY JUNIOR RECEIVER PICKS UP 10. >> Kirk: YEAH. JORDAN CLARK DID A NICE JOB OF REACTING TO THAT BALL IN THE FLAT, BUT THAT BALL IS PERFECTLY THROWN OUT IN FRONT OF THE RECEIVER. ROLL THE DICE THERE A LITTLE BIT. >> Chris: HE DID. >> Kirk: DECIDED TO THROW THAT FOOTBALL. NOTRE DAME SAVES THAT ONE TIME-OUT. THEY GET THE FOOTBALL BACK IN RELATIVELY GOOD FIELD POSITION. BUT THAT CONVERSION, NO MATTER HOW THIS HALF ENDS IS BIG FOR A&M. >> Chris: MAYBE PLAY A LITTLE KEEP-AWAY. THIS IS A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET IN FIELD GOAL RANGE. WEIGMAN ON THE MOVE, SCANNING DOWN FIELD. HE WILL TAKE OFF AND SCOOT FOR ABOUT EIGHT. 1:05 TO PLAY. >> Kirk: YEAH. NOTRE DAME IS MORE FOCUSED REALLY ON THE COVERAGE DOWN FIELD. A LITTLE RUSHING THREE. THAT TIME WE'RE BRINGING FOUR. BUT YOU ARE NOT SEEING THEM COME AFTER THE QUARTERBACK. THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THAT BIG PLAY ON THE BACK END. AGAIN, A&M, TO REITERATE, ALL THREE TIME-OUTS REMAINING. >> Chris: THAT CATCH JUST THE SECOND FIRST DOWN THEY HAVE HAD IN THE QUARTER. MOSS MAKES A CUT. AND MUSCLES FOR A FIRST DOWN. THE CLOCK WILL STOP FOR A SECOND HERE AT THE 39 YARD LINE. >> Kirk: YOU GO BACK TO THAT NOTRE DAME TIME-OUT AFTER THIS SECOND DOWN CALL. YOU REALLY COULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT A&M CHANGED THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THEY WILL TRY TO END THIS HALF BASED ON HAVING TO THROW THE BALL IN FIRST DOWN. NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO THINK ABOUT GETTING INTO FIELD GOAL RANGE HERE WITH STILL 58 SECONDS TO GO. >> Chris: THEY SPEND THEIR FIRST TIME-OUT. >> Kirk: THEY WERE WILLING TO JUST SHUT IT DOWN NOW. THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO GET POINTS. >> Chris: DOWN FIELD PASSING PLAYING. BOOGER JUST MENTIONED IT, HAVE BEEN ALMOST NONEXISTENT TONIGHT. 32 PLAYS EACH. IT'S ONE OF THOSE GAMES WITH JUST NOT THAT -- NOT THAT MANY OPPORTUNITIES. >> Kirk: SOMETIMES IT'S -- YOU KNOW, WE ALL LOOK AT QUARTERBACK PLAY AND WHY AREN'T THEY THROWING THE BALL DOWN FIELD. I THINK WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THE RECEIVERS AGAINST THE SECONDARY. WHO CAN WIN? LIKE WHO CAN GET DOWN FIELD? THAT WAS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR MARCUS FREEMAN AND HIS NOTRE DAME TEAM WHEN HE GOT INTO RECRUITING, LIKE WHO CAN WE GET TO HELP OUR RUNNING GAME BY BEING ABLE TO STRETCH THE FIELD? THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION COMING INTO THIS GAME FOR BOTH THESE TEAMS. WHO ARE OUR GUYS THAT CAN HELP US WHEN IT COMES TO THAT VERTICAL PASSING GAME? >> Chris: HARRISON, COLLINS, MITCHELL, THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, BUT NOT IN A HUGE WAY SO FAR. THEY BRING PRESSURE. AND THERE IS A DOWN FIELD SHOT. BUT WAY OVER THE HEAD OF CYRUS ALLEN, WHO IS WELL COVERED. MORRISON WAS RIGHT ON HIM. TOUGH TO BEAT HIM. >> Kirk: WELL, YEAH. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY YOU ARE NOT HAVING MANY COMPLETIONS DOWN FIELD. BY THE WAY, YOU ARE GOING AGAINST MAYBE THE TOP CORNER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. THEY MOVE HIM INTO THE SLOT FOR THIS MATCHUP. HE'S STRIDE FOR STRIDE. HE'S IN HIS HIP POCKET. IF THAT BALL IS THROWN ACCURATELY, THIS IS AN INTERCEPTION. YOU SEE THAT RIGHT BAR, HIS HAND USING THAT BAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WHEN YOU ARE IN PHASE RIGHT NEXT TO THE RECEIVER, YOU CAN DO THAT. HE IS A REALLY TALENTED CORNER, NUMBER 20. >> Chris: SECOND DOWN WEIGMAN STEPS UP ACROSS THE MIDDLE. IT IS A LOW THROW AND IT'S INTERCEPTED. THE MAN WHO SHARED THE NATIONAL LEAD A YEAR AGO, XAVIER WATTS HAD SEVEN OF THEM. THIS IS THE THIRD NOTRE DAME PLAYER EVER TO LEAD THE NATION IN PICKS, COMES UP WITH HIS FIRST OF 2024. >> Kirk: ON TOP OF THAT, CHRIS, I WANT YOU TO SEE THE COMMUNICATION. HERE HE IS RIGHT HERE. AND WATCH THE ROUTE. AND WATCH HOW HE COMES OFF OF ONE RECEIVER, DOES A GOOD JOB OF SLIPPING TO THE INSIDE. AND THEN THE INSTINCTS. I MEAN, HIS VISION IS WHAT MAKES HIM SPECIAL WHEN IT COMES TO DEFENDING THE BALL IN THE AIR. KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. YOU MENTIONED THE SEVEN INTERCEPTIONS. AND IT BACKFIRES ON A&M. THEY TRIED TO GET AGGRESSIVE, TRIED TO GET INTO FIELD GOAL RANGE. NOW YOU GET RILEY LEONARD AND THIS OFFENSE NEAR MID-FIELD. >> Chris: WATTS ONCE A RECEIVER, TREMENDOUS INSTINCTS. YOU TALK ABOUT A COMBINATION OF MORRISON AND WATSON, TWO SERIOUS SUNDAY GUYS. >> Kirk: THAT'S A GOOD STARTING POINT. >> Chris: WHAT CAN THE IRISH DO? THEY HAVE THE ONE TIME-OUT HERE NEAR MID FIELD. LEONARD CHECKS IT DOWN. A FLAG IS DOWN. IT'S A LOSS AFTER THE COMPLETION TO PRICE. >> Kirk: I THINK THEY WILL GET A HOLD BY THE ROOKIE COMING UP ON THAT LEFT SIDE. HE JUST PULLED HIM DOWN. >> Chris: SO THAT PENALTY WHICH HAD BEEN FAR TOO FREQUENT FOR FREEMAN'S LIKING. MAY CHANGE THEIR APPROACH HERE AT HALFTIME. >> Referee: HOLDING OFFENSE NUMBER 54. 10 YARD PENALTY. FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: ANTHONIE KNAPP BEAT OUT TWO GUYS WHO ARE FAR MORE EXPERIENCED. HE'S, THEY THINK, A FUTURE STAR. >> Kirk: ONE OF THE TOP LINEMEN IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. WE WILL REMEMBER THIS NIGHT. EVERYBODY STARTS SOMEWHERE. HE'S STARTING AT KYLE FIELD AGAINST NIC SCOURTON AND IN THE HOME OF THE 12th MAN. IT IS ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE. >> Chris: FIRST AND 20 AS THE SECONDS TICK DOWN. THE IRISH TAKING A VERY CAUTIOUS APPROACH AFTER THAT HOLDING PENALTY BACKED HIM UP. LOVE IS MUSCLED OUT-OF-BOUNDS. >> Kirk: HE HAS SOME LIVE LEGS. HE'S JUST BEGGING TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO WORK. >> Chris: SO A COUPLE OF TURNOVERS, A COUPLE OF PICKS BY WEIGMAN, THIS IRISH DEFENSE. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CASH THEM IN TO TOUCHDOWNS. THEY WILL LET THE CLOCK RUN OUT. FIELD GOAL DUAL IN KYLE FIELD. THE IRISH WILL GET THE FOOTBALL TO BEGIN THE THIRD QUARTER. AND WE'LL SEE WHICH QUARTERBACK WAITED A LONG TIME TO GET BACK ON THE FIELD TO MAKE IMPACT PLAYS. CAN MAKE ONE TONIGHT AGAINST SOME VERY BRIGHT DEFENSIVE MINDS AND A WHOLE BENCH OF VETERAN TOUGH DEFENDERS. HOLLY? >> WELL, COACH FREEMAN, YOUR DEFENSE HAS BEEN AS GOOD AS ADVERTISED, BUT WHAT CAN YOU CHANGE RIGHT NOW AT THE HALFTIME OPERATIONALLY ON OFFENSE? A LOT OF MISCUES AND MISCOMMUNICATIONS. >> YEAH. WE GOT TO STAY OUT OF NEGATIVE YARDAGE PLAYS AND THE HOLDING PENALTIES. SOME OF THOSE SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS. WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE POSITIVE WAYS. IT IS A GREAT BATTLE. DEFENSE IS DOING A GREAT JOB. WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A BATTLE, AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES ON DEFENSE AND PUT IT IN GOOD SITUATIONS. THEN WE HAVE TO CONVERT AND TURN IT INTO POINTS. >> YOU STARTED TO GASH THEM A BIT IN THE RUNNING GAME. WHAT DID YOU FIND THERE THAT YOU CAN LEAN ON? >> WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR RINGING GAME. WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THEM BOTH. WE HAD SOME SUCCESS. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE HAVE TO BE A RUN FIRST OFFENSE. AND THEN WHEN WE OPEN THE PASS GAME, WE HAVE TO EXECUTE. >> THANKS, COACH. >> THANKS, HOLLY. >> Chris: IT WILL COME DOWN IN THE SECOND HALF TO A KEY PLAY HERE OR THERE OR A KEY MISTAKE. TWO STRONG DEFENSES DOMINATING SO FAR. SIX A PIECE IN KYLE FIELD. THE FORD HALFTIME REPORT IS COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES. YO YOYOU'U'RERE W WATATCH >>> YOU'RE WATCHING MODELO KICKOFF WEEK. >> Chris: SET FOR THE SECOND HALF AT KYLE FIELD. THE S.E.C. ON ABC. SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE. PART OF MODELO KICKOFF WEEK. A LOT OF FOLKS CHOSE TO PLAY CUPCAKES IN THE OPENING WEEKEND. NOT THESE TWO PROGRAMS. TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE ON CAMPUS GAMES. 6-6. WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE GREAT DEFENSIVE. CHRIS FOWLER, KIRK HERBSTREIT. SO WHICH OFFENSE CAN USE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE A DOWN FIELD PLAY? IT'S BEEN TOUGH. >> Kirk: YEAH. AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS NOT JUST COMING UP WITH WAYS TO GET THE BALL DOWN FIELD, BUT IT IS ABOUT TRYING TO FIND -- I THINK WE SAW SOME EXAMPLES OF TRYING TO FIND SOME RHYTHM. GETTING THE BALL OUT IN DIFFERENT FORMATIONS. TRYING TO GET THE DEFENSIVE END ON THE FEELS. THEY ARE PLAYING WITH A LOT OF CHARACTER. >> Chris: YOU CAN SEE THE FIVE BOUNCED OFF THE TEAMMATE ON THE FIVE YARD LINE. THE PLAY BOOK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MODELO. >> Kirk: YEAH. YOU CAN SEE 3rd AND 7 HERE. THEY FACED A LOT OF THAT. THE PRESSURE, THE CONFUSION. NICE JOB HERE. THE DEFENSE INSIDE. HERE'S THE 3rd AND 13. REMEMBER, YOU HAVE AN OFFENSIVE NIGHT THAT CAME IN TONIGHT WITH SIX CAREER STARTS. SO THEY'RE TALENTED. THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. TRYING TO GEL. COMING OFF THE LEFT SIDE AGAINST THE TRUE FRESHMAN WITH A SPIN MOVE. THEY HAVE BEEN AVERAGING ON THIRD DOWNS, THEY WERE 3rd AND 9.2. THEY HAVE TO HAVE, AGAIN, BETTER SUCCESS ON EARLY DOWNS TO HELP OUT RILEY LEONARD. >> Chris: LEONARD 11 FOR 19. HASN'T BEEN SACKED. HASN'T THROWN A PICK. AND FINALLY FINDS THE TIGHT END, COOPER FLANAGAN WHO HAS TRIED TO STEP IN. >> Kirk: YEAH. IT'S -- HE'S MORE OF AN IN LINE TRADITIONAL BIG TIGHT END. THAT TIME THEY FLEXED HIM OUT, CREATED A ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUP AND GOT HIM THE FOOTBALL. THAT'S KIND OF THE BY THE YARDS BALL THROWN DOWN FIELD. THAT'S WHAT HE DID AT DUKE. EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE HIM TAKE THAT NEXT STEP ABOUT GETTING THE BALL THROWN DOWN FIELD, BUT HE NEEDS HELP FROM HIS RECEIVERS. >> Chris: LOVE DIDN'T GET ANYTHING, STEPPING IN THERE WITH SHAMAR STEWART, DEFENSIVE END, PART OF THIS DEFENSIVE LINE THAT MIKE ELKO TOLD HIM NFL SCOUTS TOLD HIM, HEY, WE WOULD TRADE OURS FOR YOURS. THAT'S A BIG STATEMENT. >> Kirk: IT SURE IS. >> Chris: AND ON THIRD DOWN, THE IRISH TRY TO RUN INTO THAT FRONT, AND THEY DON'T GET IT. SCOOBY WILLIAMS CAME UP AND MADE THE HIT. SEE WHERE THEY SPOT THIS. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE SHORT. >> Kirk: GREAT EFFORT HERE. NOTRE DAME GOING A LITTLE BIT FAST, JUST TRYING TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY. BIG HIT THERE BY BRYCE ANDERSON, AND IT'S CLEANED UP THERE. THEY'RE STAYING ON THE FIELD. FOURTH AND A HALF A YARD. >> Chris: THEY GOT NINE YARDS ON THE FIRST SACK COMPLETION AND NOTHING ON TWO RUNS. >> Kirk: IF YOU MISS THE FIRST HALF, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WAS HAPPENING. A&M WENT INTO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. AND THOSE LINEBACKERS AND SAFETIES FLYING DOWN TO HELP OUT IN THE RUN GAME. >> Chris: THERE IS NO WAY HE'S GOING TO SNAP IT, IS HE? PLAY CLOCK AT FOUR? >> Kirk: NO. >> Chris: THEY CAN'T POSSIBLY GO FOR IT AT THE PLUS 32 HERE IN A 6-6 GAME. >> Kirk: MARCUS FREEMAN FRUSTRATED. HE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO RESET THE PLAY CLOCK. >> Chris: DID THEY SPEND THE TIME-OUT? >> Kirk: YEAH. THEY USED THE TIME-OUT. >> Chris: I'M SURPRISED THEY DIDN'T LET IT WIND DOWN. WE APPLAUD AGGRESSION IN MOST CASES, BUT YOU ARE AT YOUR OWN 34 YARD LINE. YOU JUST BEEN STOPPED TWO RUNS IN A ROW. >> Kirk: RIGHT, RIGHT. I KNOW. DO YOU WANT TO HOP IN HERE? I KNOW HE'S TRYING TO GET THE PLAY CLOCK RESET? WHAT DETERMINES THAT? THE OFFICIAL IS PUTTING HIS ARM OUT. >> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THERE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO RESET A PLAY CLOCK. >> Chris: WHAT WOULD, THOUGH? WHAT DID HE THINK? >> LET'S SAY THAT WE MISSPOTTED THE BALL OR THE TO IF I RECALLS HAD SOME ERR IN HOW THEY WERE HANDLING THE END OF THE PLAY. >> Kirk: THAT'S ALL THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT? >> YES. >> Kirk: SO HE MUST HAVE SEEN SOMETHING TO THINK HE WAS GOING TO GET THE CLOCK RESET. >> IF THERE WAS, I WOULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. >> Chris: HE KNEW IT WAS FOURTH DOWN. WE KNEW ABOUT THE DOWN AND DISTANCE. >> Kirk: IN A GAME LIKE THIS, TIME-OUTS REALLY MATTER. THEY JUST USED ONE. >> Chris: MAYBE THEY COULD GET THE DEFENSE TO FLINCH. LEONARD IN THE SHOTGUN. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS MOMENT IF THEY ACTUALLY RUN A PLAY. AND THEY WILL! AND LEONARD BULLDOZES FOR A FIRST DOWN AND MORE. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THAT IS TRUSTING YOUR FRONT, WHEN YOU HAVEN'T DONE A WHOLE LOT ON THE GROUND TONIGHT. >> Kirk: IT REALLY IS. GUTSY CALL. LOVE THE AGGRESSIVE NATURE. LOVE THE LEAD BLOCK RIGHT HERE. YOU WILL LOVE THE QUARTERBACK. THEY KNOW IT'S COMING. HECK OF AN EFFORT THERE TO LEAD THE WAY IN THERE. HE GOT RIGHT BEHIND HIM. >> Chris: LEONARD ABOUT 218 POUNDS. THAT WAS PHYSICAL. NOW FROM THE POCKET, STEPS UP AND DELIVERS OVER THE HEAD OF FORD. LEONARD IS HOLDING HIS RIGHT THUMB THROUGH THAT RUN. >> Kirk: THAT'S BECAUSE NIC SCOURTON GOT INTO HIS FACE. I THINK THE FOLLOW THROW MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HELMET THERE. THE RIGHT TACKLE JUST PUSHED HIM, REGGIE WHITE STYLE, BACK INTO THE QUARTERBACK'S FACE. SO ON THAT FOLLOW THROUGH, HE DEFINITELY CAME THROUGH AND EITHER HIT HIS OWN LINEMAN'S HELMET OR SCOURTON. >> Chris: HE'S NOT COMING OUT OF THE GAME AFTER WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH IN HIS CAREER. RIGHT INTO THE TEETH OF IT. PRICE KNOCKED DOWN MIND THE LINE BY BRYCE ANDERSON. HERE IS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> Kirk: LET'S SEE THAT FOLLOW THROUGH. YEAH, HE DID HIT THE TOP OF THE HELMET OF THE BIG MAN RIGHT AWAY. HE STARTED TO FEEL IT. HOW ABOUT THESE SAFETIES, MAN? BRYCE ANDERSON THAT TIME, ELITE SPEED. HE'S JUST PLAYING WITH NO FEAR AT ALL. BOTH THESE SAFETIES. >> Chris: SO YOU TAKE THE RISK. YOU MAKE THE FIRST DOWN. AND NOW YOU FACE ANOTHER THIRD AND LONG. ONE FOR SEVEN TONIGHT, WHICH IS ABOUT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT, GIVEN HOW LONG THEY HAD TO MAKE HERE. CAN HE SCRAMBLE AND MAKE IT? LEONARD WEAVING AND IS SLAMMED DOWN AT THE 50, SHORT OF THE FIRST DOWN. DO YOU GO FOR IT AGAIN? >> Kirk: HOW MUCH FUN IS HE TO WATCH ON THIRD DOWN. HERE THEY ARE. MARCUS FREEMAN NOT PLANKING, NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT. THIS ONE IS A LITTLE LONGER. THE LAST ONE IS ABOUT A HALF A YARD. THIS ONE IS ABOUT A YARD, YARD AND A HALF. >> Chris: ALMOST TWO YARDS. YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY NOISY. >> Kirk: DOES HE GO BACK TO THAT, OR DOES HE SHOW THAT, GET THE SAFETIES UP AND THEN TRY TO MAYBE SNEAK BY HIM? >> Chris: GREATHOUSE COMES ACROSS IN MOTION. KEEPER AGAIN. LEONARD LOWERS HIS HEAD. IT'S CLOSE. IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON THE SPOT. IT'S RIGHT AT THE AGGIES 49. SCOOBY WILLIAMS MADE THE TACKLE. >> Kirk: I THINK IT IS A FIRST DOWN BASED ON THAT SPOT. I THINK HE'S GOT A FIRST DOWN. LOOK AT THE FOOTBALL. >> Chris: IT IS RIGHT ON THE LINE TO MAKE. >> Kirk: HOW ABOUT MARCUS FREEMAN COMING OUT HERE GOING FOR THINGS TWICE. IN A 6-6 GAME. >> Chris: ONIONS AS THEY SAY. >> Kirk: YEAH. THERE ARE GOING TO BE A BUNCH OF FOLKS AT THIS. A HUGE PLAY RIGHT AT MID-FIELD. 11:14 TO GO IN THE THIRD QUARTER. PLAY CLOCK WAS RUNNING DOWN. >> Chris: THEY ALMOST PHASED OUT THE CHAINS. TALK ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL. YOU SPOT IT. AND LOOK AT IT ELECTRONICALLY. >> Kirk: LOOK AT HIM TRYING TO HELP OUT. MISSED HIS BLOCK. SO HE ENDS UP TRYING TO JUST PUSH TO TRY TO HELP OUT. >> Chris: BRING THE SIX OUT. OF COURSE, THEY CAN REVIEW THIS SPOT, BILL. HAVEN'T HAD A DEFINITIVE LOOK TO SAY HE DIDN'T GET IT. RIGHT AT THE 49 YARD LINE. THEY STRETCH THE STICKS, AND IT IS SHORT! A&M MAKES A FOURTH DOWN STOP AS FREEMAN'S SECOND GAMBLE IN THE DRIVE DOESN'T PAY OFF. THEY'RE AN INCH SHORT, AND THEY WILL TAKE OVER AT MID-FIELD. >> Kirk: YOU TALK ABOUT AN HALF INCH TO AN INCH. I MEAN, THAT WAS NOT VERY MUCH. I PERSONALLY -- I KNOW IT'S RISKY. IN A GAME WHERE HE'S TRYING TO GET HIS OFFENSE TO BUY IN, I DON'T MIND THIS AGGRESSIVE APPROACH. WATCH FOUR ON THE RIGHT HERE, LOVE, WHO JUST KIND OF WHIFFS, ALLOWS THE REST OF THE DEFENSE, ESPECIALLY ON THE OUTSIDE, FORCE HIM BACK IN. NOW IT IS JUST ABOUT TRYING TO PUSH WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. GREAT EFFORT HERE BY A&M. >> Chris: HE'S TRYING TO DRIVE HIS LEGS AND LIFTED HIS LEGS OFF THE GROUND. >> Kirk: THAT'S ONE WAY TO STOP HIM. >> REPLAY HAS STOPPED IT FOR A REVIEW NOW. >> Kirk: ALL RIGHT, BIG FELLA. THIS IS WHERE YOU STEP IN AND HELP US. >> Chris: HE'S TRYING TO POINT WITH HIS LEFT HAND, I GOT IT. SO WHERE IS THE BALL? HIS HEAD IS CERTAINLY ACROSS THE 49. HE'S STILL ALIVE RIGHT THERE DRIVING, THE THIRD EFFORT, GET THE FIRST DOWN. HE'S POINTING FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: FIRST DOWN. WOW. BILL, YOU MAKE THAT CALL, THAT'S A GUTSY CALL. YOU'D MAKE THAT CALL? >> THE REPLAY CENTER IN THE S.E.C. IS INVOLVED HERE. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS REVIEW. CALLED ON THE FIELD SHORT, SO IT HAS TO BE CLEAR AND OBVIOUS, DOES IT NOT? >> THAT VIEW WE HAD THERE THAT SHOWED HIM THAT BODY, BALL OVER THE LINE. >> Kirk: ALMOST DIDN'T MATTER WHERE THE BALL WAS. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF HIS BODY GOT ACROSS. >> Chris: SPOTTED IS AN INEXACT SCIENCE. WE THOUGHT LIVE HE HAD GOTTEN JUST ENOUGH. THEY RUN IN FROM THE SIDE AND SPOT IT AN INCH SHORT. >> THAT LOOKED A LOT MORE -- >> Referee: AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, THE RULING ON THE FIELD STANDS. >> Chris: NOT ENOUGH TO TURN IT OVER, APPARENTLY, SAYS THE S.E.C. REPLAY CENTER. SO LEONARD, AS HE WAS FIGHTING AND CLAWING TO GET THERE, COMES UP AN INCH SHORT. >> Kirk: I THINK THAT'S A COMBINATION OF MARCUS FREEMAN TRYING TO IGNITE SOMETHING WITHIN HIS OFFENSE, GOING FOR IT IN HIS OWN TERRITORY AND ALSO HAVING THE CONFIDENCE IN HIS DEFENSE AND BEING ABLE TO HOLD THIS TEXAS A&M OFFENSE IN CHECK. >> Chris: HE WILL BE FRUSTRATED WHEN HE SEES THAT REPLAY BECAUSE IT DID APPEAR THAT LEONARD HAD GOT THERE. SO THE AGGIES, OF COURSE, BY FAR THEIR BEST STARTING FIELD POSITION. AND THE IRISH DEFENSE WOULD LOVE TO STEP UP AND BAIL OUT THEIR HEAD COACH AND THEIR OFFENSE. AND THEY FLY TO THE FOOTBALL AGAIN. HOLLY, WHAT DO YOU HAVE? >> CHECKING IN WITH MIKE ELKO, HE SAID CONNOR WEIGMAN HAS TO RELAX A LITTLE BIT. IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE HE PLAYED. HE SAID THE FIRST SHOT WENT OVER HIS HEAD. I NEED HIM TO RELAX. I ALSO ASKED HIM ABOUT THIRD DOWN. NOW NOTRE DAME IS 2-8 ON THIRD DOWN. HE SAID WE ARE MIXING UP THE PACKAGES AND, LOOK, THEY HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET. >> Chris: WEIGMAN STEPS BACK. HE GETS THIS ONE OUT. AND WALKER HAS SOME ROOM. IT IS A FIRST DOWN INSIDE THE NOTRE DAME 40, PICKUP OF 11. >> Kirk: YOU ARE TRYING TO BEAT THE ALL-AMERICAN CORNER. HE'S MOVED OVER INTO THE CORNER. WEIGMAN HAS SEPARATION. THE BALL COMES OUT LATE. HE'S STILL ABLE TO COME BACK OUT TO THE FOOTBALL AND WITH HIS SIZE MAKE A NICE PLAY. 6'4", 205. >> Chris: THEY RUN LEFT WITH MOSS. THAT'S NOT BENJAMIN MOORE'S FINEST PLAY. >> Kirk: USUALLY HE PLAYS OUT ON THE OUTSIDE. BUT THEY HAVE SHOWN A LOT OF VERSATILITY AND TRUST IN HIM. MOVE HIM WHERE THEY WANT. BASED MORE ON MATCHUPS AS MUCH MATCHUPS AS THEY PLAY. BUT HE'S BEEN LINED UP THERE ON THE INSIDE QUITE A BIT TONIGHT. >> Chris: HE COMES OFF THE FIELD NOW ON 2 P AND 9. >> Kirk: AND BOTH THESE TEAMS ROTATING. A LOT OF BODIES TRYING TO STAY FRESH WITH THIS HUMIDITY, GETTING READY IN THIS SECOND HALF ONCE THE FOURTH QUARTER HITS. >> Chris: NEITHER OFFENSE HAS RUN A WHOLE LOT OF PLAYS, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S TOUGH. AN INACCURATE PLAY. HE'S TRYING TO FIND HIS TIGHT END. >> Kirk: YEAH. NOTRE DAME AGAIN GETTING PRESSURE. RYLIE MILLS THAT TIME WITH HIS SIZE. 6'5". REALLY KNOWN FOR HIS ABILITY AGAINST THE RUN. BUT AS A VETERAN THAT TIME, HE GOT GOOD OUTSIDE LEVERAGE ON THAT OFFENSIVE GUARD AND JUST GETTING HIS HAND UP AFFECTED THE ACCURACY FROM WEIGMAN. >> Chris: THEY ARE IN FIELD GOAL RANGE FROM BOND. ANY KIND OF GAIN WILL MAKE IT MORE REALISTIC TRY. AND MOSS CUTS IT BACK, DOESN'T GET ANYTHING. A YARD AND A HALF. AND DON SHULER HAD THE PICK EARLIER MAKES THE PLAY. >> Kirk: YEAH. HE GOT UP FIELD AND FORCED THAT BALL BACK TO THE INSIDE. AND HE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM THE OFFENSES RIGHT SIDE AND GOT INTO THE BACK FIELD, A HECK OF A PLAY. AND NOW HERE THEY ARE WITH A&M WITH FOURTH DOWN AND STILL OUT THERE WITH THEIR OFFENSE. >> Chris: NOT GOING TO TRY. WOULD BE ABOUT A 53 YARD FIELD GOAL. YOU NEED EIGHT. WELL, THEY TRY TO GET NOTRE DAME TO FLINCH. IRISH HELD THEIR WATER THAT TIME. AND A DOWN FIELD THROW HITS THE TURF. >> Kirk: NOTRE DAME'S SIDELINE, YOU WOULD THINK THEY JUST SCORED A TOUCHDOWN. THAT IS CALLED PLAYING COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL. EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T WORK OUT, LOOK AT NOTRE DAME'S REACTION ON THEIR SIDELINE RIGHT NOW. HERE'S THE PIT. THEY COME OUT AGAIN. SEE IF THEY -- NOW, THEY DIDN'T COME ACROSS. THEY MOVED. THEY FLINCHED, BUT THEY DIDN'T COME ACROSS. I WAS INTERESTED IN NOTRE DAME'S REACTION. THE ENTIRE FIELD CONGRATULATING EACH OT GO >> Chris: GOODGO YEAR BRINGING U THE AERIAL COVERAGE, ROAD TESTED AND GAME READY. GOOD YEAR, MORE DRIVEN. VERY INTERESTING SEQUENCE THERE AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPTED 4th DOWN CONVERSION COMBINED. AND NOW LEONARD FUMBLES THE SNAP, PICKS IT UP, SHOWS SOME EXCELLENT ATHLETIC ABILITY TO GAIN THREE YARDS WHEN IT WAS CLOSE TO A TURNOVER. >> Kirk: THERE IS A LOT THAT JUST HAPPENED THERE. BUT LET'S GO BACK TO THE FOURTH DOWN. THIS IS THE FUMBLE, JUST THIS PREVIOUS PLAY. YOU CAN SEE THE ZONE READ. HE HAS TO OVERCOME HIS BACK WHO RUNS ON TOP OF HIM FROM BEHIND. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER PLAYS OF THE NIGHT, PICKED UP BETTER YARDS. >> Chris: EASY. THEY GOT FOUR. LEONARD LOOPING THE BALL, AND THE CATCH IS MADE ON THE SIDELINES. THEY FIND COOPER FLANAGAN WHO HAD ONE CATCH LAST YEAR BUT IS STEPPING UP FOR MITCHELL EVANS. THEY PICK UP 16. >> Kirk: REALLY NICE FOR THE RIGHT TACKLE. REALLY GOOD JOB OF COMMUNICATING. THAT TIME THEY GAVE RILEY LEONARD ENOUGH TIME. HE MAKES A GOOD THROW AGAIN TO THE TIGHT END. >> Chris: A LOT HAPPENED. I WANT TO SHOW YOU AGAIN THE END OF THAT SEQUENCE. A&M I THINK THOUGHT THEY HAD A FREE PLAY. AND WEIGMAN JUST THREW IT DOWN FIELD. >> Kirk: YOU'RE RIGHT. THE CENTER THOUGHT THE DEFENSIVE LINE JUMPED, SO HE SNAPPED THE BALL. >> Chris: HE DIDN'T JUMP. LEONARD FLIPS IT AGAIN. ALL OF A SUDDEN, COOPER FLANAGAN, A BIG SOPHOMORE OUT OF CALIFORNIA, MAKES THE CATCH. THERE IS A FLAG ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE FIELD ON THE DEFENSIVE SECONDARY. THEY RUN A PICK. >> Referee: PASS INTERFERENCE, OFFENSE NUMBER 83. 15 YARD PENALTY. FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: IT WAS JAYDEN THOMAS WHO WAS OUT THERE BLOCKING FOR FLANAGAN. >> Kirk: THE TRICKY THING IS WITH THAT TRIPLE OPTION. YOU ARE THROWING IT DOWN FIELD. IT'S A LITTLE BIT TRICKY ON THE WIDE RECEIVER BECAUSE HE'S READING IT. THE DEFENSIVE END COLLAPSED. HE KEEPS THE BALL. YOU SEE A CAT AND MOUSE GAME WITH THAT SAFETY. IF THE SAFETY TAKES THE QUARTERBACK, WHICH HE DID, HE THROWS THE BALL. YOU'VE GOT RECEIVERS BLOCKING DOWN FIELD. THEY'RE THINKING THE QUARTERBACK IS GOING TO RUN IT. >> Chris: THE OFFENSE HAS ONE OF THE MOST DAMAGING PENALTIES IN FOOTBALL. IT IS USUALLY A DRIVE KILLER. 1st AND 25. LEONARD GOES FAR SIDE. AND THEY GET A NICE CHUNK OF THE YARDAGE BACK. >> Kirk: WE TALKED ABOUT THE END GAME ADJUSTMENTS, ESPECIALLY AT HALFTIME, GETTING A CHANCE TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT MIGHT WORK WITH ANY TIME A&M PLAYS WITH HIS SAFETY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. YOU LEAVE THOSE CORNERS ON ISLANDS. WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT ATTACKING DOWN FIELD. JUST TAKE THOSE 10 AND 12 YARD GAINS WITH THOSE OUTS. >> Chris: 2nd AND 14. >> Kirk: NOW THEY SPLIT THE SAFETIES UP TOP. >> Chris: IN THE RUN RIGHT DOWNHILL. PRICE MAKES A CUT, GETS THE EDGE. DA DARIAN PRICE HEADED FOR THE PILE ON. TOUCHDOWN NOTRE DAME! 47 YARDS! FINALLY SOMEBODY REACHES THE END ZONE. WHAT A RUN! >> Kirk: YEAH. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO EXPLOIT THIS. WHAT A PLAY BY THIS OFFENSE. GREAT JOB OF BEING ABLE TO JUST GET THIS THING GOING. YOU KNOW, THE OFFENSIVE LINE, THEY'VE HAD SUCH A TOUGH NIGHT. THIS TIME THEY'RE ABLE TO GET UP TO THAT SECOND LEVEL AND FINALLY GIVE A BACK SOME ROOM TO RUN. ACCELERATING INTO THAT SECOND LEVEL. WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT ALL NIGHT. >> Chris: THE AT&T TACKLE. RAN RIGHT THROUGH THE TACKLE OF YORK. PRICE SHOWED HE CAN BE THAT HOME RUN THREAT. AND NOTRE DAME, WHAT AN EVENTFUL COUPLE OF SEQUENCES. THEY FAIL ON FOURTH DOWN. THE AGGIES GO FOR IT. AND THE IRISH TAKE IT 63 YARDS IN JUST FOUR PLAYS. AND JADARIAN PRICE GIVES NOTRE DA ME >>>> T TONONIGIGHTHT'S >> Chris: TONIGHT'S SONIC DRIVE-IN RECAP. >> Kirk: I MEAN, YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THESE SEQUENCES. REMEMBER, THEY HAD THAT OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE THAT WENT WAY BACK TO THE 1st AND 25. GAVE THEM A CHANCE, MORE MANAGEABLE. THEY CAME RIGHT BACK AND DID SOME GREAT BLOCKING. MAKES A HECK OF A BLOCK. AND FINALLY PRICE GETS OUT THERE WHERE HE CAN SHOW YOU WHAT HE DID WITH THAT FOOTBALL. >> Chris: A TEXAN BACK IN HIS HOME STATE. CAME IN LAST YEAR, DIDN'T GET THAT MANY OPPORTUNITIES. IT WAS REALLY THE ESTEME SHOW. BUT THIS YEAR HE HAD EXACTLY FOUR YARDS ON FOUR CARRIES BEFORE THAT 47 YARD LIGHTENING STRIKE. >> Kirk: REMEMBER, HE HAD THE ACHILLES INJURY A COUPLE YEARS AGO. TRIED TO COME BACK. JUST WASN'T THE SAME. WHEN YOU WATCH HIM, DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES. NOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT HE'S CAPABLE OF DOING WHEN HE RUNS WITH THAT KIND OF CONFIDENCE. >> Chris: THE IRISH HAD THE LEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME TONIGHT AS JETER'S KICK HAS GIVEN INTO THE END ZONE AGAIN. NOW WEIGMAN WILL HAVE TO TAKE THIS OFFENSE DOWN A TOUCH. >> Kirk: I TALK ABOUT THAT BLOCK WITH PENDLETON. THIS IS A LEFT GUARD. BUT TRULY THIS TACKLE HAS TO BE MADE BY YORK. RIGHT THERE, MISSED TACKLE. YOU GET UP TO THAT NEXT LEVEL. A LITTLE BIT SLOW IN REACTING. JADEN HILL, 8. AND YOU CANNOT GIVE A TALENTED BACK AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THAT KIND OF SPEED WHEN YOU ARE SLOW TO REACT AS A DEFENSE. >> Chris: TALKED ABOUT JADEN HILL, SUSPENDED THE FIRST HALF BECAUSE OF WHAT HE DID A YEAR AGO AS A FLORIDA GATOR JUST IN THE GAME AND DIDN'T TAKE A GREAT ANGLE THERE. AGGIES BACK TO THE GROUND WITH LE'VEON MOSS. >> Kirk: HOW DO YOU RESPOND, TO YOUR POINT? YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH GAME FOR BOTH OF THESE OFFENSES. NOTRE DAME FINALLY HAS THAT MOMENT, PROUD IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THIS GAME. HOW WILL WEIGMAN RESPOND WITH THIS OFFENSE, GOING UP AGAINST A DEFENSE THAT'S PLAYING WITH THEIR HAIR ON FIRE, PLAYING WITH A LOT OF CONFIDENCE. >> Chris: JUST 144 TOTAL YARDS FOR THE AGGIES AND THOSE TWO INTERCEPTIONS BY WEIGMAN. THEY BRING PRESSURE. BALL IS OUT QUICKLY. MOSS CUTS IT BACK TO THE OUTSIDE. TAKES A HARD HIT. KNOCKED DOWN SHORT OF THE MARKER. AS I SIT UP HERE IN THIS FIRST HALF AND BEGINNING OF THE 2024 SEASON. BUT I FEEL LIKE MOSS IS THEIR BEST THREAT THAT WE HAVE SEEN BECAUSE HE CAN DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. TELL ME A RECEIVER RIGHT NOW THAT STRIKES FEAR IN YOUR HEART IF YOU ARE ANOTRE DAME DEFENSE. I DON'T THINK THEY FEAR THESE RECEIVERS. >> Chris: AND THE MATCHUP BETWEEN THOSE GUYS AND THE NOTRE DAME SECONDARY HAS NOT BEEN FAVORABLE FOR THE AGGIES AT ALL. THIRD AND SHORT. TRY THE MIDDLE WITH DANIELS. AND HE BANGS FORWARD FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: THE REASON WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS IT ALLOWS AL GOLDEN TO WALK UP AND TAKE AWAY THAT RUNNING GAME, TO TRY TO TAKE AWAY THOSE SHORT, QUICK THROWS TO THE OUTSIDE. AND UNTIL THEY PROVE THAT, HEY, YOU BETTER NOT LEAVE THIS GUY BY HIMSELF OR YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT, UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, MAN, YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ATTACK AND TRY TO OUTNUMBER THEM. >> Chris: LONG THROW TO THE SIDELINES. AND GOING DOWN LOW TO MAKE THE CATCH IS WALKER. YEAH. THE RECEIVERS HAVE NOT FEATURED MUCH. TRAY WALKER HAS THE LONGEST RECEPTION OF THE NIGHT. CYRUS ALLEN BACK WHERE A RECEIVER HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED, BUT IT'S NOT BEEN VERY DYNAMIC AT ALL. >> Kirk: NO. THE BIGGEST FEAR WAS HOW TO MATCH UP WITH THE SIZE. NOAH THOMAS 6'6". THEY HAVE HELD THEIR OWN IN THOSE MATCHUPS. >> Chris: SECOND AND THREE. FALLING FOR A FIRST DOWN AT MID-FIELD IS DANIELS. TRYING TO GRIND AWAY ON THE GROUND BEHIND THAT BIG O LINE. >> Kirk: IF I KNEW THAT THIS CENTER WHO IS IN THE GAME NOW FOR NABOU IS DOING A GOOD JOB AND PICKING UP SOME PRESSURE. TALKED ABOUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO ANSWER? SO FAR LOOKING GOOD HERE ON THIS DRIVE. >> Chris: DANIELS, PART OF THE OFFENSE. THEY DON'T GIVE THE DEFENSE MANY TELLS PRE-SNAP. SIMILAR LOOK, AND THEY RUN A LOT OF DIFFERENT RUNNING PLAYS OFF OF THOSE LOOKS. >> Kirk: YEAH, IT IS ALL CONNECTED. THAT IS ONE OF THE POINTS WEIGMAN MADE IS THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE BEEN CALLING PLAYS, TRYING TO MAKE PLAYS. BUT NOW HE JUST FEELS THAT EVERYTHING KIND OF FITS TOGETHER. BUT TONIGHT IT IS NOT FITTING TOGETHER BECAUSE OF WHAT NOTRE DAME IS DOING ON THAT OTHER SIDE OF THE FOOTBALL. >> Chris: NO GAIN ON THAT PLAY. NOW SMITH IS IN THE BACK FIELD. HE'S GOT IT. AND HE'S GOING ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE. THE NOSE TACKLE JUST SWALLOWED HIM UP. IT WILL BE THIRD AND LONG. >> Kirk: FAMILIAR NAME, FAMILIAR NUMBER. GOOD TO SEE HINISH GETTING IN THERE MAKING A PLAY. THEY SLANTED THAT DEFENSIVE LINE. I THINK IT CAUGHT A&M BY SURPRISE. HE'S ABLE TO FIT RIGHT THROUGH THAT GAP SOMETIME. SHOULD DELIVER THROUGH AND GET INTO THE BACK FIELD. >> Chris: SMITH MOTIONS IN. WHO CAN MAKE A PLAY IN THE PASSING GAME? THREE RECEIVERS BUNCHED LEFT. IRISH RUSH FOUR. WEIGMAN TAKES OFF VERY QUICKLY. AND IS GOING TO BE STOPPED SHORT. DIDN'T HANG IN THE POCKET VERY LONG. HOWARD KROS BRINGS HIM DOWN. IT'S FOURTH DOWN. >> Kirk: AND IT'S DECISION TIME NOW FOR MIKE ELKO. >> Chris: OFFENSE OUT THERE. >> Kirk: BOY, IT SEEMS LIKE ALL THE BIG DECISIONS IN THIS SECOND HALF ARE RIGHT EXACTLY IN THE SAME SPOT OF THE FIELD. >> Chris: YEP. REMEMBER, THE LAST FOURTH DOWN PLAY, THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD THE IRISH IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE. WEIGMAN JUST CHUCKED IT DOWN FIELD. THERE WASN'T A PENALTY, AND THEY GAVE UP THE FOOTBALL. >> Kirk: SHOWING THESE BACKERS PRESSURE. >> Chris: NOTRE DAME FLIRTED WITH JUMPING OFF SIDE. NOW THERE IS A FLAG. WOW. LOOKED LIKE HE GOT BACK. >> Referee: FALSE START OFFENSE NUMBER 78. FIVE YARD PENALTY. IT'S FOURTH DOWN. >> Chris: HE DID GET BACK AND THEN CROWNOVER JUMPED. ELKO BEGS TO DIFFER. >> Kirk: BILL, LOOK. HE JUMPS. HE GETS BACK. WHAT DO YOU SEE HERE? >> JUMP, BACK. OH, A LITTLE MOVE THERE BY THE RIGHT TACKLE. SO THE DEFENDER WAS FINE WITH HIS MOVEMENT. BUT THEN THE RIGHT TACKLE WELL AFTER A GLITCH. >> Chris: THAT'S REALLY TOUGH. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO ANY KIND OF MOVEMENT, ARE YOU, THERE? YOUR BIG BODY TRYING TO KEEP YOUR BALANCE. SO TYLER WHITE IN TO PUNT. AND IT WILL BOUNCE INTO THE END ZONE. CROWD STILL BOOING THE FALSE START CALL. SO NOTRE DAME WILL TAKE OVER. UP SEVEN. AND IT'S THE AGGIES MIDNIGHT YELL TRADITION CONTINUED LAST NIGHT IN HERE. ABOUT 50,000 ON HAND WITH A HOT CRCROWOWD D WAWAS S BOBOOIOINGNE >> Chris: TYLER WHITE TRYING TO WIN A PRIME TIME EMMY. REALLY NO CONTACT THERE. BUT WATCH THIS. OH, THE AGONY! HE HAMMERED ME. NO FLAG. ELKO DIDN'T THINK THE FALSE START WAS A GOOD CALL IN THE PREVIOUS PLAY. BUT NOTRE DAME GETS OFF THE FIELD, GETS THE BALL BACK FROM THE 20 YARD LINE. FINAL MINUTES OF THE THIRD QUARTER. LEONARD BEHIND A BLOCK, DIVES FORWARD. HE HAS BEGUN TO RUN THE BALL MORE AND MORE ON THESE DESIGN RUNS. HE PICKED UP SEVEN. THE IRISH COMING IN HERE TO WIN A HUGE ROAD GAME IN FRONT OF THE LARGEST CROWD IN HISTORY. MORE THAN 107,000 IN THE S.E.C.'S BIGGEST HOUSE. LEONARD LONG THROW TO THE SIDELINES. ALMOST INTERCEPTED AS WILL LEE JUMPED THE ROUTE AND HAD HIS HANDS ON IT THINKING ABOUT THE END ZONE. >> Kirk: REMEMBER WE TALKED ABOUT A CENTER FIELD SAFETY, ONE HIGH LOOK. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO PICK ON THESE CORNERS. TELL YOU WHAT, WILL LEE BAITED HIM TO THROW THAT. STEPPED IN FRONT OF IT. BALL COMES OFF OF THOMAS, ALMOST IS ABLE TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM. AND HE WOULD HAVE TALKED TO THE END ZONE FOR A PICK SIX. >> Chris: BOTH GUYS BODIES OFF HIS HELMET. AND THAT WAS POTENTIAL GAME-CHANGING PLAY AND A DANGEROUS THROW BY LEONARD WHO NOW NEEDS THREE ON THIRD DOWN IN THE FINAL MINUTE OF THE QUARTER. PRESSURE. THE BALL IS OUT. AND IT'S INCOMPLETE. SHAMAR STEWART HAMMERED THE QUARTERBACK AND FORCED THE QUICK THROW, AND HE'S FLEXING AS THE AGGIES GET OFF THE FIELD. >> Kirk: SIX GUYS OVER THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE ON THIS THIRD DOWN. THEY WILL MAKE THIS OFFENSIVE LINE TRY TO GUESS WHERE THAT -- LOOK AT THIS. WHO'S COMING? SIX GUYS UP. FOUR OF THEM COME. MISCOMMUNICATION UP FRONT. A LITTLE GUESSING GAME ON THE ROAD DEALING WITH THAT CROWD. BIG MAN AT 6'6", 290 POUNDS UNTOUCHED. >> Chris: SO RENDELL HAS BEEN SOLID IN HIS AMERICAN FOOTBALL DEBUT TO BOOT IT AWAY. IT'S A LOW KICK. BUSSEY HAS GOT A SHOT FROM THE 26. AND HE'LL BE DROPPED AT 35. 10 YARD RETURN AFTER A 47 YARD BOOT. TALKED ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN ATLANTA. 142 NIGHTS FROM THIS EVENING. THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY PRESENTED BY DR. PEPPER WILL BE THERE THAT NIGHT. SEMIFINALS IN MIAMI AND IN ARLINGTON. THE IRISH, IF THEY CAN HOLD THIS LEAD, WOULD GET OFF TO A VERY STRONG START. THEY WERE GIVEN A BETTER THAN 50% CHANCE BY THE COMPUTER OF MAKING THE PLAYOFF FIELD. A LOT OF THEIR FANS SAY, OKAY, THE PLAYOFF WOULD BE NICE. BUT LET'S MAKE A DEEP RUN. LET'S, YOU KNOW, SEMIFINALS, CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TYPE THING. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE HOPING FOR. THIS IS MOSS AGAIN. AND MOSS A NICE RUN FOR A FIRST DOWN, PICKS UP 12. >> Kirk: THAT'S THE ATHLETE. THAT'S THE PLAY MAKER WE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST SERIES. WHO IS THE ONE GUY YOU FEEL LIKE AT ANY MOMENT CAN MAKE A PLAY FOR THIS OFFENSE. I THINK IT'S MOSS. LINE HIM UP MAINLY IN THE BACK FIELD. THAT TIME HE HAD A NICE LITTLE SEAM THERE TO GET INTO. >> Chris: NOW WEIGMAN TAKES OFF, AND HE'LL SCRAMBLE FOR ABOUT SIX. FOUR SECONDS TO PLAY IN THE QUARTER. >> Kirk: NOTRE DAME ROTATING LINEBACKERS IN THERE, MAN. THESE GUYS ARE PLAYING PRETTY WELL. A LOT OF THEM ARE PLAYING THE FIRST FOOTBALL THEY EVER PLAYED. >> Chris: THE IRISH TRYING TO PROTECT THIS LEAD. A HUGE RESUME BUILDING WIN ON THE ROAD. THE AGGIES TRYING TO STAGE A FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK. BACK AFTER THIS MESSAGE AND A WORD FROM YOUR LOC AL ♪♪ >> Chris: YOU'RE WATCHING THE S.E.C. ON ABC. WELL, WE'LL START THE FOURTH QUARTER HERE. AGGIES ON THE MARCH AFTER THE GAME'S FIRST TOUCHDOWN BY NOTRE DAME. THEY HAND IT OFF TO MOSS. YOU SAY THAT'S THE GUY THEY WILL HAVE TO LEAN ON HERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. >> Kirk: AGAIN, I THINK HE'S GOT AN ABILITY TO MAKE PEOPLE MISS. HOW ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE DOING A NICE JOB OF PUSHING? YOU KNOW, WE WONDERED THE OFFENSIVE LINE WHO WOULD HOLD UP ON THE FOURTH QUARTER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FOOTBALL WITH THIS HEAT AND HUMIDITY. DEFENSE HAS BEEN TRYING TO ROTATE TO STAY FRESH. A&M THAT TIME ABLE TO GET A GREAT PUSH TO HELP OUT MOSS FOR THAT FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: OFFENSIVE LINE PLAYING WITHOUT THEIR STARTING CENTER WHO HAS BEEN OUT. WEIGMAN FROM THE POCKET OFF THE FINGERTIPS. THEY TRIED TO FIND MOSS OUT OF THE BACK FIELD. KISER WAS IN COVERAGE. >> Kirk: AND, AGAIN, THAT WENT JUST OFF OF HIS FINGERTIPS. THE BALL THROWN OUT IN FRONT OF HIM TOO MUCH. >> Chris: WERE YOU GUYS LISTENING TO COLIN KLEIN IN THE HELMET? YOU GOT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR YOUR QUARTERBACK AS YOU GET INTO THE FOURTH QUARTER AND HIS HEAD IS SPINNING. >> Kirk: HOW ABOUT THAT, 3rd OF 14 IN FIVE PASSES OR FURTHER DOWN FIELD. >> Chris: SIX SHORT COMPLETIONS. THIS IS AMARY DANIELS. A FLAG COMES IN AS HE'S MET RIGHT AT THE 36 YARD LINE. >> Referee: PERSONAL FOUL. HANDS TO THE FACE. DEFENSE NUMBER 56. PENALTY, AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: PENALTIES CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM. THAT'S HOWARD KROS WHO HAD HIS HAND UP IN THE FACE MASK. >> Kirk: 6'6", 320, A BIG, POWERFUL LEFT GUARD. FROM NEW JERSEY, A GREAT PROGRAM. THAT TIME HE AND KROS GOING AT IT. >> Chris: THE BALL MOVED TO THE 21. IT'S A HUGE NUMBER OF YARDS AND PENALTIES WHEN YOU'VE HAD A GAME LIKE THIS. WEIGMAN THROWS THE FAR SIDELINE. IT'S INCOMPLETE. TRYING TO FIGHT BACK AND MAKE THE CATCH WAS THE BIG TIGHT END FROM SWEDEN. THEY CALL HIM HOLMSTRÖM. >> Kirk: I THINK NOTRE DAME MAY HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH A PASS INTERFERENCE HERE. HE'S ON THE JERSEY, LOOKING AT THE BALL. REALLY, REALLY CLOSE THERE. BILL, WHAT DO YOU THINK. >> THAT RIGHT HAND IS UP ON THE SHOULDER. >> Chris: SO DON SHULER RECOVERS THERE ON THE TIGHT END. 2nd AND 10. IRISH ARE SHOWING PLEASURE. THEY RUN RIGHT INTO THE BLITZ. IT'S SMITH BREAKING FREE. HIS SON EJ SETS HIM UP FIRST AND GOAL RIPPING OFF A 14 YARDER. >> Kirk: THEY KNEW THAT BLITZ WAS COMING. THEY PICKED IT OFF. THEY SAW IT WITH THAT HARD COUNT. IT TIPPED IT. WATCH THE OFFENSIVE LINE DO THEIR JOB. NOTRE DAME ALMOST RAN THEMSELVES REALLY RIGHT OUT OF THAT PLAY WITH A BLITZ UP IN THE A GAP. THEY BOUNCED IT THERE TO THE LEFT, TO THE OUTSIDE THERE. THERE WAS NO ONE THERE FOR THE DEFENSE. >> Chris: LONGEST RUN OF THE DAY. A LONG, LOOPING THROW TO THE END ZONE AND OUT COMES A FLAG. WAS IT CATCHABLE? PENALTIES AGAIN ON NOTRE DAME. HELPING THE AGGIES CAUSE. >> Kirk: AND WALKER 6'4", MICKEY LISTED AT 5'11". I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS. >> Referee: PASS INTERFERENCE DEFENSE NUMBER 7. >> Kirk: I LOVE THE AGGRESSIVE CALL ON 1st AND 10 AFTER THAT BIG GAIN. THEY GO TO THE AIR, TO THE MATCHUP. LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IN SIZE THERE AND THE LENGTH THAT WALKER HAS. MICKEY THREW EVERYTHING HE HAD JUST TO HOLD ON THERE. THAT'S WHERE THE PENALTY COMES IN. >> Chris: THE LINEUP, TIGHT END SHANE CALHOUN AS A FULLBACK IN FRONT OF SMITH WHO TAKES THE PITCH. HE WILL BE DRAGGED DOWN MIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. IT'S JAYLEN SNEED. >> Kirk: WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT BATTLE. THE RED ZONE BATTLE. WHO IS SETTLING FOR FIELD GOALS? WHO IS SCORING TOUCHDOWNS? THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME A&M HAS BEEN IN THE RED ZONE. EARLIER THEY WERE IN THE RED ZONE. THIS FIRST DRIVE OF THE GAME, NOTRE DAME WON THAT AND FORCED A FIELD GOAL. >> Chris: BEST IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF TOUCHDOWN PERCENTAGE ONCE THEY GET IN THE RED ZONE. >> Kirk: NOTRE DAME ONE OF THE BEST LAST YEAR DEFENSIVELY. >> Chris: STRENGTH ON STRENGTH RIGHT NOW, 2nd AND GOAL. IT'S MOSS WHO GOES IN MOTION. IT IS WEIGMAN RUNNING ALL THE WAY, MAKES A CUT AND IS HIT AT IS TWO. THIRD DOWN COMING UP. A LOT OF QUARTERBACK RUNS IN KLEIN'S SYSTEM DOWN HERE. >> Kirk: NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. DRAYK BOWEN HERE, THIS IS AN EFFORT HERE. THE BACKSIDE DOESN'T GIVE UP. NEVER KNOWS WHERE THE BALL IS GOING TO BE. CHASES IT. CHASES IT. THERE IS A CUTBACK THERE TO HELP OUT. HE'S PLAYED WELL IN HIS FIRST START. >> Chris: SURE HAS. BIG SHOES TO FILL. NOTRE DAME LINEBACKERS LOST. THEY LOST A COUPLE OF GOOD ONES TO THE NFL. WHAT IS KLEIN GOING TO CALL HIM? 3rd AND GOAL FROM THE ONE. HANDOFF. MOSS, TOUCHDOWN AGGIES! PENALTIES A HUGE PART OF THAT DRIVE. BUT A&M RESPONDS AND ANSWERS. 65 YARDS IN 10 PLAYS. AND SPINNING, MOSS PAID OFF. BOND TO TIE THE SCORE. AUTOMATIC. >> Kirk: CHRIS, IT IS THIS KIND OF NIGHT. THIS OFFENSIVE LINE RIGHT HERE, HE WILL DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO TRY TO HELP OPEN THIS HOLE UP, TURN HIS BODY, USE HIS BACKSIDE, PUSH, DO WHATEVER, HELP MOSS GET INTO THAT END ZONE FOR THE FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF THE NIGHT T >>>> T TIEIED D ONONCECE A AGAGY >> Chris: TIED ONCE AGAIN EARLY FOURTH QUARTER IN KYLE FIELD. SMITH HAD A RUN TO SET UP THE TOUCHDOWN AND THEN LE'VEON MOSS TOOK IT IN. LOOK AWAY IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU A WARNING. THAT WAS WEIGMAN COMING TO THE SIDELINES. HE DID IT AGAIN ONCE HE GOT TO THE SIDELINES. HE WILL HAVE TO BOOT AND RALLY AS WE SAY. THAT'S WHAT COLLEGE STUDENTS DO THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE CAREER, ACTUALLY. SALUTE TO CURTIS WILSON WHO DROVE THE ALL STATE BUS FOR US FOR NINE SEASONS. WHAT IS YOUR ALLSTATE GOOD HANDS PLAY THIS WEEK? >> Kirk: VANDERBILT GOES UP 34-27. GETS THEM UP, BOTTOM OF THE FIRST HERE. HOW IS THE VIRGINIA TECH TEAM GOING TO RESPOND? 4th AND 11, THROWS IT UP. AND CANNOT COME DOWN WITH IT. HOW ABOUT VANDY? CLARK LEE WITH A BIG UPSET OVER THE HOKIES, WEEK ONE. >> Chris: IRISH NOW BACK TO THE RUNNING GAME. AND NOTHING DOING. JAMAR TURNER, HE'S TOUGH TO RUN OVER AND RUN THROUGH. >> Kirk: THAT'S PERFECT TECHNIQUE HERE. HE PLAYED A LOT ON THE EDGE LAST YEAR. THEY MOVED HIM TO THE INSIDE. LOOK AT HIM EXTEND WITH HIS ARMS. EYES IN THE BACK FIELD. THAT IS PERFECT JOB THERE AND INSIDE BY TURNER. >> Chris: A LOSS OF A YARD ON FIRST DOWN. SERIOUS NOISE TO DEAL WITH NOW FROM LEONARD. YOU PROTECT HIM WELL. HE GETS A LOW THROW. CATCH MADE, CAME BACK TO THE FOOTBALL, BUT IT IS ENOUGH FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Kirk: YEAH. HE DID A GOOD JOB. YOU HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT. BOOM. PUTS HIS FOOT IN THE GROUND. GOOD TIMING RIGHT AT THE STICKS THERE FOR THE FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: HE WOULD MAX PROTECT THERE. ONLY HAD HIM ON THAT LEFT SIDE. >> Kirk: ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUP. >> Chris: LEONARD STEPS UP AGAIN, DELIVERS DOWN THE SIDELINES. TRIED TO FIND COLLINS AGAIN. THREW IT BEHIND HIM. >> Kirk: I LOVE THAT THEY WENT RIGHT BACK TO IT. THEY LIKE THE MATCHUP. THEY HAD CONFIDENCE THAT HIS GUY WAS GOING TO CHECK OUT IN THE GAME. BUT WITH HIS SIZE AND LENGTH AND EXPERIENCE FROM HIS DAYS AT CLEMSON, BACK INTO THE BOUNDARY, HE'S GOT TO WIN THOSE ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUPS. THAT TIME THEY JUST MISSED IT. THOMAS COMES IN FOR HIM. >> Chris: BRICE TRYING TO GET THE EDGE. AND HE'S GOING TO BE FORCED OUT-OF-BOUNDS FOR A LOSS. THAT WAS THE FRESHMAN WHO STAYED AT HOME AND SHOWED THE MUSCLE. >> Kirk: BOY, THIS DEFENSE, MAN, AGAIN, TRYING TO GO AGAINST HIS FRESHMAN TACKLE. THEY GO INSIDE HERE AND THEY BRING THE SAFETY DOWN. SEE THAT LATE MOVEMENT RIGHT THERE? I THINK IT REALLY AFFECTED KNAPP, SURPRISED HIM. LOVE HOW THE SAFETIES KEEP COMING DOWN. RATCLIFFE THAT TIME NOWHERE TO GO FOR PRICE TO RUN THAT FOOTBALL. >> Chris: CROWD IS GOING BESERK. >> Kirk: HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE STRETCHING HIS CALVES OUT. HE HAS COME DOWN WHEN NOTRE DAME HAS ANYWHERE TO RUN THE FOOTBALL. RATCLIFFE CAME IN FOR BROOKS. BRYCE ANDERSON HAS HAD A GREAT GAME, NUMBER ONE. THIS DEFENSE IS DIALED IN ON THIS NOTRE DAME OFFENSE. >> Chris: NO SURPRISE YOU SEE CRAMPS ON A HOT NIGHT. RATCLIFFE IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO PLAYING THESE SNAPS BECAUSE OF THE TARGET ON BROOKS. >> Kirk: I MEAN, CAN YOU ASK FOR MUCH MORE THAN THIS? OPENING WEEKEND, 107,000, HERE WE GO. >> Chris: LEONARD ANOTHER HUGE CHALLENGE. CONVERTED JUST ONCE TONIGHT IN NINE TRIES ON THIRD. YOU NEED 13. JUST GOT TO AVOID A MISTAKE IN THIS SITUATION IF YOU ARE THE QUARTERBACK. AND, AGAIN, IT'S A MISTAKE UPFRONT THAT WILL SET HIM BACK. ONE OF THOSE FIRST-TIME STARTERS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE, SOME MOR SAM PENDLETON. >> Referee: FALSE START OFFENSE NUMBER 72. >> Kirk: YOU BROUGHT THIS UP ALL NIGHT. MARCUS FREEMAN BROUGHT IT UP TO US THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. YOU KNOW, PENALTIES, FALSE STARTS. THE BIGGEST FEAR THEY HAD WITH THE INEXPERIENCE UPFRONT. THAT IS A TOUGH THING TO DO, WHEN YOU CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING AND YOU ARE ON AN ISLAND. YOU SEE THE DEFENSE GETTING UP INTO HIS FACE, LETTING HIM KNOW ABOUT IT. >> Chris: FRANKLY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVERT THIS THIRD DOWN. SO HE TOLD US HE WAS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT CONSERVATIVE IN THESE SITUATIONS. JUST AVOID A MISTAKE THAT COULD COST YOU A GAME HERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. LEONARD ON THE MOVE. GETS THE BALL OUT. GREATHOUSE HAS A CONCONVOY, DAN AROUND. GETS BACK TO THE ORIGINAL LINE OF SCRIMMAGE BEFORE JONES KNOCKS HIM DOWN. >> Kirk: BROOKS, ANDERSON, RATCLIFFE, JONES. THEY GOT FOUR SAFETIES THAT ARE PLAYING GREAT FOOTBALL TONIGHT, MAKING PLAYS AGAINST THE RUN, MAKING PLAYS IN THE OPEN FIELD. EASIER AS A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR WHEN YOU ARE CALLING THINGS, WHEN YOU GOT GUYS WITH THEIR HEADS, EYES ON THE FOOTBALL, RUN TO THE FOOTBALL. LOOK AT THAT. LOOK HOW MANY OF THESE MAROON JERSEYS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. >> Chris: IT'S BECOME A BUSY NIGHT FOR RENDELL. HIS DAD WAS AN AUSSIE FOOTBALL LEGEND. NEVER PLAYED AN AMERICAN FOOTBALL GAME UNTIL TONIGHT, THE 24-YEAR-OLD FROM MELBOURNE. BOOTS IT HIGH. DOES IT JOB. AND IT'S BEEN A BOUNCE AND ROLLED DEAD AT ABOUT THE 15 YARD LINE. >>> BACK IN STUDIO. TIME FOR OUR CHICK-FIL-A MOVE BACK ON THE WAY TO THE BIG HOUSE. THE DEFENDING CHAMPS TURN IT ON AGAINST FRESNO STATE. WILL JOHNSON TO THE HOUSE. 86 YARDS AND THE PICK SIX. 30-10 MICHIGAN LATE IN THE FOURTH. THEY HOST TEXAS NEXT WEEK. SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? >> Chris: THE AGGIES BACKED UP. THEY HAVE BEEN KEY FACTORS IN THIS FIELD POSITION TYPE GAME. IN THEIR FIRST COLLEGE GAMES THEY HAVE TAKEN CARE OF BUSINESS. MOSS AGAIN. HE'S BECOME THE WORKHORSE. BUT THIS TIME THE IRISH STRETCH IT OUT AND STOP HIM AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. >> Kirk: THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GAMES, 13-13, 8:30 TO GO. FIELD POSITION AND THE PUNTS ARE CRITICAL. WHICH QUARTERBACK CAN AVOID THAT DISASTROUS PLAY? WIG MAN RIGHT HERE WITH THE BALL WHERE IT IS, WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOT OF TURNOVERS. BOTH THESE GUYS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF PROTECTING THE BALL. IT IS A BALANCE BETWEEN BEING AGGRESSIVE AND BEING SMART. CAN'T LOSE THE GAME WITH 8:00 TO GO. >> Chris: THE IRISH BRING SOME PRESSURE. WEIGMAN BACK PEDDLES. SHUTS IT DOWN. DELIVERING A HUGE HIT WAS CHRISTIAN GRAY AS WALKER MADE THE CATCH. >> Kirk: YEAH. NOTRE DAME PLAYS SO MUCH MAN COVERAGE. IF THIS IS MAN, YOU'RE OKAY. THAT CORNER IS DOWN THERE SITTING AND WAITING FOR THIS THROW. CATCHES WALKER BY SURPRISE AND REALLY CATCHES WEIGMAN, THE QUARTERBACK, BY SURPRISE. YOU DON'T WANT HIM TO SIT THERE. AGAIN, AL GOLDMAN MIXING UP COVERAGE FROM MAN TO ZONE. I DON'T THINK HE'S EXPECTING THE CORNER TO BE THERE. I THINK HE THOUGHT HE WAS IN MAN COVERAGE. >> Chris: EMPTY BACK FIELD ON 3rd AND 9. WEIGMAN BACK PEDDLES, THROW, CATCH MADE, KNOCKED OUT-OF-BOUNDS RIGHT NEAR THE MARKER IS MOSS. THEY'RE GOING TO SPOT HIM SHORT. >> Kirk: YEAH. HE'S SHORT. THE BALL DID NOT GET ACROSS. WE JUST KEEP TALKING ABOUT MOSS. LE'VEON MOSS IS THE ONE GUY THAT MAKE PLAYS. THAT BALL IS GOING BEHIND HIM. NOT QUITE THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO TRY TO EXTEND THAT BALL BEYOND THE MARKER. YOU'RE RIGHT. A RUNNING BACK OUT THERE TRYING TO BE A RECEIVER CATCHES THE BALL, BUT LOSES WHERE HE IS ON THE FIELD. THEY WILL COME UP A HALF YARD SHORT. >> Chris: WHAT A DIFFERENCE. HE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND. THE DRIVE CONTINUES. NOW TYLER WHITE, WHO HAS AVERAGED 52 YARDS BUNTING THE FRESHMAN. THE LEFTY BOOTS IT AWAY, AND HE WILL DRIVE THE RETURNER BACK AND JUST LETS IT GO. REMEMBER, FAISON IS A REGULAR PUNT RETURNER. HE'S OUT TONIGHT. AND THAT ROLLS DEAD. NOW IT IS THE IRISH WHO ARE PINNED BACK AFTER A 62 YAR >>>> Y YEAEAHH.. >>>> A ANDND O OFFFF T THEHE F A CLCLASS H HEREREE >> Chris: OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HONORING A LEGEND. REMEMBER LOST ROGERS IN APRIL AT THE AGE OF 82. HE WAS A REFEREE IN THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, SUPERVISOR OF S.E.C. OFFICIALS. BILL, EXPERT WITH THE BILLS AND A MENTOR TO SO MANY. >> HE WAS ONE OF MY BEST MENTORS. I MISS HIM TERRIBLY. GREAT LOSS, BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. >> Kirk: I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A SECOND. >> Chris: THE IRISH TRYING TO GET A LONG DRIVE GOING. LEONARD IN BALLS HIS WAY FOR ABOUT NINE YARDS. >> Kirk: YEAH. JUST REAL QUICK ON ROGERS. WHEN I GOT INTO THE BOOTH WITH BRENT MUSBURGER AND GUYS LIKE PHIL AND ROGER, WE'D HAVE OUR SEMINAR IN AUGUST, ROGERS WOULD COME IN AND SPEAK TO US. I RECOMMEND TO ANY ANALYST OUT THERE, IF YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO A PERSON THAT COULD BE A MENTOR IN THAT AREA, THERE IS NOBODY BETTER. BOY, ROGERS WAS AN OUTSTANDING PERSON, NOT JUST A GREAT OFFICIAL. >> Chris: WELL SAID. ON SECOND AND ONE, THEY TRAP LOVE BEHIND THE LINE. SCOURTON RUNS LONG. THAT'S A HUGE PLAY. SETS UP 3rd AND 5 NOW. >> Kirk: WHEN HE SAW THE RUNNING BACK MOVE, USUALLY THAT MEANS THE BACK IS GOING THAT WAY, SO HE'S GOING TO CHASE IT. WATCH HIM GET UNDERNEATH THAT POTENTIAL BLOCK BY THE TIGHT END. FLANAGAN, WE THINK ABOUT THESE GUYS ON THE EDGE AS PASS RUSHERS BECAUSE THEY DO SUCH A GOOD JOB AND THEY MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES WITH THAT. BUT A BIG GUY CAN GET UP THERE AGAINST THE RUN AND MAKE A BIG PLAY. >> Chris: WHAT A BIG PLAY FROM 2nd AND 1 TO 3rd AND 5 AS THE AGGIES TRY TO GET THE FOOTBALL BACK RIGHT HERE. >> Kirk: DEVYN FORD IN THE BACK FIELD. >> Chris: LEONARD STEPS UP, DELIVERS A STRIKE FOR A FIRST DOWN, AN ENORMOUS CONVERSION TO GREATHOUSE AS THEY KEEP THE FOOTBALL. >> Kirk: KNAPP, THE LEFT TACKLE, WHO HAS HAD HIS HANDS FULL, HE HOLDS ON JUST LONG ENOUGH AGAINST THAT OUTSIDE PRESSURE. GOOD JOB ON THIS THIRD DOWN, A CHANCE TO GET HIS FOOD IN THE GROUND, HITCH AND STEP INTO THE THROW. HE PUTS IT RIGHT ON THE MONEY. GOOD JOB BY THE LINE THERE AND A GOOD THROW BY LEONARD AS WELL. >> Chris: 2nd AND 3rd DOWN CONVERTED ALL NIGHT. APPROACHING 4:30 TO PLAY. LOOKING TO THROW ONE FIRST DOWN. AGAIN, THE SIDELINES ON ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUP, THE BATTLE THE WON BY BEAUX COLLINS ON THE EDGE. AND THE IRISH ARE IN A&M TERRITORY OR CLOSE TO IT. >> Kirk: HE HAD ALL KINDS OF TIME. THEY GO BACK TO THAT ONE ON ONE MATCHUP. HOW ABOUT BEAUX COLLINS WORKING BACK TO THE FOOTBALL. HE HAS TO BE CAREFUL. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN 15. >> THE PLAY IS UNDER REVIEW. THEY WILL LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A BOBBLE THROUGH THE HANDS. >> Chris: OKAY. WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A CATCH. >> Kirk: THEY'RE STILL TALKING. >> Chris: YOU'RE SO RIGHT, THOUGH. AFTER THE PLAY -- I KNOW COLLINS IS EXCITED, BUT HE'S SHOVING THEM BACK. >> Kirk: YOU CAN GET HYPED UP BUT YOU CAN'T PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN GOING AT IT. HIGH POINTS THE BALL. THE QUESTION IS DOES HE HAVE POSSESSION WHEN HIS FEET ARE DOWN BEFORE HE GETS PUSHED DOWN. LET'S WATCH HERE, BILL. THIS WILL BE A GOOD ONE. >> Chris: FOOT DOWN THERE? DOES HE HAVE IT? HE TALKS IT THERE. >> Kirk: HE NEVER LOST POSSESSION WHEN HE HIT THE GROUND. >> I SEE THE BALL MOVING WHEN HE'S BACK UP IN THE AIR, AND THEN WHEN HE COMES DOWN, HE LANDS OUT-OF-BOUNDS. SO THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE REPLAY MAY CHANGE THIS TO AN INCOMPLETE PASS. >> Chris: TERRIFIC JOB TO KEEP THE BALL. >> Kirk: DOES HE REGAIN POSSESSION WHILE HIS FOOT IS DOWN? >> I SEE HIM IN THE AIR GAINING CONTROL AND THEN LANDING OUT-OF-BOUNDS ON HIS BACK. >> Referee: AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, THE RULING ON THE FIELD STANDS. >> Chris: OKAY. WELL, THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT YOU THOUGHT MAYBE REPLAY WOULD OVERTURN IT. THEY DECIDED TO CALL THAT A CATCH. SO IT IS A 20 YARD GAIN. VERY INTERESTING. >> Kirk: BIGGER PICTURE COMMENT. THE ENTIRE FOCUS OF THE OFF SEASON THROUGH RECRUITING AND THE PORTAL WAS TO GET BETTER ON THE PERIMETER. STARTING TO SEE BEAUX COLLINS SHOW WHAT HE'S CAPABLE OF DOING WHEN DEFENSES ARE GOING TO LEAVE HIM ONE-ON-ONE AGAINST CORNERS. HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO WIN BACK INTO THE BOUNDARY. WE WILL SEE MORE OF THAT HERE IN THE SECOND HALF. >> Chris: A TALL, STRONG GUY. HE USED THAT FRAME TO CATCH FIVE BALLS TONIGHT. LEONARD HAS BECOME THE LEADING RUSHER ON THE IRISH. AND HE SCOOTS FOR ANOTHER FIRST DOWN INSIDE THE 40. NICE BLOCK BY PENDLETON. >> Kirk: YEAH. THIS IS THE OLD PEN AND PULL WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PEN THE DEFENSE ON THE INSIDE TO THE RIGHT. PULL THE LINEMAN AROUND. YOU HAVE A NUMBERS ADVANTAGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE QUARTERBACK WHO HAS THE LEGS TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE FOOTBALL. GOOD BLOCK BY THOSE LINEMAN. FUN TO SEE THOSE GUYS GET A CHANCE TO PULL UP ON THE CORNER, JUST PUSHING HIM OUT OF THE WAY. >> Chris: IRISH IN NO HURRY. THEY COULD BE VERY METHODICAL HERE. THREE AND A HALF, A COUPLE OF TIME-OUTS. LOVE UP THE MIDDLE, RUNS THROUGH A TACKLE. JEREMIYAH LOVE RAMBLING DOWN NEAR THE 20 AS THE IRISH ARE GRABBING CHUNKS NOW. THAT'S 18 MORE. >> Kirk: THEY ARE MIXING UP THE LOOKS HERE. MIKE HAS TO BE VERY HAPPY WITH WHAT HE'S SEEING BY THIS OFFENSIVE LINE. WE TALKED ALL GAME ABOUT THE MATCHUP AND THE INEXPERIENCE AND THE TALENT, BUT JUST THE YOUTH. I TELL YOU WHAT, MAN, WE'RE WATCHING IN THIS FOOTBALL GAME. HE HAS TO BE PROUD OF WHAT THIS GROUP HAS DONE COLLECTIVELY. CAME UP WITH SIX YEAR STARTS ENTERING THIS GAME. IN THIS ATMOSPHERE AGAINST THIS DEFENSIVE FRONT, THERE'S THE LINE COACH, STEPPING UP WHEN IT MATTERS. >> Chris: THAT'S A MISTAKE, NO DOUBT. BUT BEGINNING TO ASSERT THEMSELVES. LOVE AGAIN. KNOCKED DOWN. A DRIVE THAT BEGAN WAY BACK IN THEIR HOME 15 YARD LINE. THEY HAVE RUN SEVEN PLAYS DOWN IN SCORING POSITION INSIDE OF 2:30 TO GO. >> Kirk: A&M HOLDING ON TO THEIR TIME-OUTS. YOU HAVE THE 2:00 TIME-OUT. ALSO -- >> Chris: WE'RE HEADED TO THAT. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RUN A PLAY CLEARLY HERE. SO IT IS LIKE GETTING AN ADDITIONAL TIME-OUT. >> Kirk: HOW ABOUT THE BIG BOYS UP FRONT WHEN THE CHIPS ARE ON THE TABLE, JUST STEPPING UP. >> Chris: YEAH. AND LEONARD AS ADVERTISED HAS RUN THE BALL. >> Kirk: POISE. ANAND D LELET T MEME T TELELL LT >> Chris: A BLIMP VIEW OF THE FOURTH BIGGEST STADIUM IN AMERICA. GOOD YEAR CELEBRATING THE CHALLENGE OF ROAD GAMES EVERYWHERE. ARE YOU READY FOR THE ROAD? GOOD YEAR, MORE DRIVEN. THE IRISH READY FOR THE ROAD. HEATHER LEONARD AND HER HUSBAND CHAT, RILEY'S PARENTS, THEY CAN'T EVEN LOOK. >> Kirk: JUST LIKE ENOUGH'S ENOUGH. I CAN'T WATCH. >> Chris: WELL, THEIR SON'S GAME ONE OF HIS ONE-YEAR NOTRE DAME CAREER, TRYING TO DRIVE THE IRISH FOR A VICTORY HERE. CAN THEY FINISH? 2nd DOWN AND 9. LOVE BURSTS OVER THE MIDDLE. LOVE TO THE END ZONE! AND THE IRISH TAKE THE LEAD! >> Kirk: NOW DAD'S SMILING. WHAT A WAY TO FINISH OFF HIS DRIVE. WITH THE WAY THIS OFFENSIVE LINE ON THIS DRIVE KIND OF TOOK OVER, AND THE BACKS BEING ABLE TO FIND JUST ENOUGH ROOM THERE WITH THE ACCELERATION INTO THE END ZONE. >> Chris: IT'S TAKEN A WHILE TO GET THIS RUNNING GAME GOING. JEREMIYAH LOVE TOUCHDOWN. JADARIAN PRICE HAD THAT LONG TOUCHDOWN RUN. LEONARD FOR MUCH OF THIS GAME ACTUALLY LED THE TEAM IN RUSHING YARDAGE. FINAL TWO MINUTES NOW. NOTRE DAME ONCE AGAIN UP BY SEVEN. WHAT A DRIVE! 85 YARDS, KIRK. >> Kirk: CHRIS, THERE WASN'T A TON OF ROOM HERE. GOOD BLOCK ON THE INSIDE TO GET THE PLAY STARTED. HE HAS A GOOD INSIDE BLOCK THERE. SEE THE TIGHT END, 87, COMING OVER FROM THE RIGHT. COOPER FLANAGAN TO HELP OUT. REALLY IT IS ABOUT THE BACK OF HIS FEET. HE'S PATIENT. GETS HIS FOOT IN THE GROUND. LOOK AT THE ACCELERATION AGAINST THE SAFETIES THAT ARE MAKING SO MANY TACKLES. THIS TIME I THINK THEY'RE SURPRISED BY HOW QUICKLY HE SHOT OUT THE BACKSIDE OF THIS HOLE FOR THAT TOUCHDOWN. >> Chris: JEREMIYAH LOVE MAKES A LIVING RUNNING BETWEEN THE TACKLES. HERE IS THE PROGRESSIVE PYLON CAM AS THE IRISH RE-CLAIM THE LEAD AND UP IN THE SECTION FEATURING THE NOTRE DAME PARENTS. THE LEONARDS. >> Kirk: LET ME SAY THIS FOR TEXAS A&M. YEAH, YOU'RE DOWN NOW. BUT THINK ABOUT IT. I DON'T THINK THEY PURPOSEFULLY ALLOWED THAT, BUT YOU GOT ALL THREE TIME-OUTS, AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE FOOTBALL BACK WITH AT LEAST A CHANCE WITH 1:54 TO GO. >> Chris: SO THEY DIDN'T TRY TO LET HIM SCORE, BUT IT WORKED OUT OKAY GIVEN THE FACT THEY PRESERVED SOME TIME. >> Kirk: YEAH. YOU GOT A CHANCE HERE. I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THE BALL IF NOTRE DAME DIDN'T SCORE. THEY WOULD HAVE MILKED THAT CLOCK DOWN. >> Chris: NOTRE DAME TOUCHDOWN RUNS HAVE COME FROM OUTSIDE THE RED ZONE. AND NOW CONNOR WEIGMAN, WHO WAS SO FRUSTRATED BY HAVING HIS SEASON ENDED EARLY LAST YEAR, THAT INJURY TO HIS FOOT AGAINST AUBURN, HE'S WAITED 11 MONTHS FOR THIS MOMENT. IT'S BEEN TOUGH SLEDDING TONIGHT AGAINST THIS VETERAN STOUT DEFENSE. NOW HE'S GOT TO GO THE LENGTH OF THE FIELD AND TRY TO TIE IT. >> Kirk: I WILL TAKE THE OTHER END OF IT. WALKER, CYRUS ALLEN, TRE WATSON THE TIGHT END, WHO CAN GET SEPARATION? WHO CAN HELP WEIGMAN OUT HERE. IT'S BEEN A TOUGH NIGHT FOR THESE RECEIVERS TRYING TO MAKE PLAYS. MOSS OUT OF THE BACK FIELD HAS BEEN MAINLY THEIR GO-TO GUY. >> Chris: WHO CAN BEAT THIS ELITE SECONDARY? WATSON, SHULER, MORRISON AND GRAY. WEIGMAN BACK PEDDLES AND THROWS IT TO THE BENCH. NOBODY OPEN. >> Kirk: THE OTHER THING THAT'S TOUGH IS NOW YOU ARE ALLOWING THIS DEFENSIVE FRONT, THEY KNOW YOU ARE THROWING THE FOOTBALL AND THEY'RE ABLE TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET THE PRESSURE AND MAKE WEIGMAN FEEL IT AND THROW OFF OF HIS BACK FOOT. >> Chris: NOT YET ENGINEERED A FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK AT A&M. PRESSURE COMES. WEIGMAN HAS TIME, BUT, AGAIN, A MISCOMMUNICATION. NOBODY OPEN. THOMAS WAS OVER THERE COVERED BY JORDAN CLARK, AND IT'S 3rd AND 10. AL GOLDEN IS NOT HOLDING BACK. IT IS NOT LIKE HE'S SAYING, LET'S BE CONSERVATIVE. LET'S BE SMART. HE'S DIALING IT UP, NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES ON THE OTHER END BECAUSE HE HAS THE ABILITY TO COVER. I DON'T BLAME HIM. >> Kirk: WHAT A LUXURY TO HAVE, RIGHT? YOU CAN TURN LOOSE THE PASS RUSH BECAUSE YOU TRUST YOUR DBs THAT MUCH. >> Chris: ABSOLUTELY, YEAH. >> Kirk: EVEN A BACKER HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. KISER WALKED OUT. >> Chris: TRYING TO GET IT ON THE GROUND. AND GETTING OUT NEAR THE MARKER IS MOSS. HE'S A COUPLE OF YARDS SHORT. IT WILL BE FOURTH DOWN. >> Kirk: THEY PUT THAT FORMATION TO THE RIGHT. KISER WALKED OUT. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NUMBERS INSIDE. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS 3rd AND 10, STILL RAN THE FOOTBALL AND GOT SOME BIG YARDS. WE HAVE ANOTHER INJURY HERE FOR A&M. >> Chris: IT'S FAAIU WHO STEPPED IN AT CENTER WHEN NABOU WENT OUT. HE'S BEING LOOKED AT. SO WHAT DO YOU LIKE, COACH? 4th AND 2. QUARTERBACK RUN IS ALWAYS IN PLAY ON THE OFFENSE. AND WEIGMAN IS A WILLING RUNNER. >> Kirk: YEAH. I THINK MOSS IS THE ANSWER. IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO RUN THE QUARTERBACK TO GET THE EXTRA NUMBER, THEN I THINK YOU GOT TO THINK ABOUT 8 BECAUSE HE'S BEEN ABLE TO SHAKE THE LINEBACKERS AND WIN SOME OF THOSE ONE-ON-ONE MATCHUPS. >> Chris: NOTRE DAME CAME IN RANKED NUMBER SEVEN IN THE ALLSTATE AP POLL. YOU CAN SEE THE COMPETITION FACED BY A LOT OF THESE TOP TEN TEAMS. GEORGIA EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE. MIAMI, WOULDN'T BE SHOCKED TO SEE THE 'CANES MOVE UP INTO THE TOP TEN. >> Kirk: YEAH. YEAH. I THINK EVERYONE IS JUST KIND OF -- YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHO THESE TEAMS ARE. REALLY AREN'T GOING TO KNOW UNTIL YOU SEE THEM TWO OR THREE TIMES. TJ SHANAHAN HADN'T TAKEN A SNAP ALL GAME, IS NOW IN ON THIS PIVOTAL FOURTH DOWN PLAY TO SNAP THE BALL. >> Chris: GOT TO HAVE TWO YARDS. JUST TWO TIME-OUTS. IF THEY DON'T CONVERT, IT WON'T BE ENOUGH. MOSS IS THE BACK. TRYING TO GET THE IRISH TO JUMP. THEY DON'T. THEY ARE GOING TO THROW FOR IT. INCOMPLETE. THE IRISH TAKE OVER AS CHRISTIAN GRAY JUMPED THE ROUTE. AND THIS ELITE SECONDARY MAKES ONE PLAY TO GET THE FOOTBALL BACK. >> Kirk: YEAH, CHRIS. YOU ARE ALL OVER IT. WE KNOW ABOUT MORRIS AND WE KNOW ABOUT XAVIER WATTS. BUT TONIGHT WE SAW AN ENTIRE SECONDARY FROM NOTRE DAME. HERE HE IS. THIS IS GOING TO BE A GLANCE ROUTE. IT IS A QUICK SLANT TRYING TO USE THIS AS A RUB. WATCH THE REACTION AND HOW HE JUMPS THIS ROUTE TO GET UNDERNEATH THAT POTENTIAL RUB. ALMOST STEPS IN FRONT OF IT. MOST IMPORTANTLY ON FOURTH DOWN, KNOCKS THAT BALL AWAY. AND THE IRISH, WASN'T PRETTY, DOESN'T MATTER. WENT ON THE ROAD IN A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET A WIN. >> Chris: COACHES THESE DBs. IT IS A SMART, EXPERIENCED, ATHLETIC, DEEP GROUP. THEY HAVE BEEN ALL OVER IT. THE MATCHUP THEY FELT GOOD ABOUT WAS THEIR SECONDARY AGAINST A&M'S UNPROVEN RECEIVING CORE. CLEAR EDGE NOTRE DAME. WHAT DO YOU SAY? >> Kirk: OH, A BIG HIT THERE. >> Chris: HANDED OFF TO BRYSON IN THE BACK FIELD. >> Kirk: YEAH. HE'S LUCKY HE HELD ON TO THAT. YOU KNOW, MARCUS FREEMAN, WE CAUGHT IT THERE AT THE END. HE SAID, I TOLD YOU, REFERRING TO HIS TEAM ABOUT MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PLAY. WE WILL HAVE SOME ADVERSITY. IT'S OKAY. IT'S PART OF IT. LET'S STAY POSITIVE. IT'S BEEN A BIG EMPHASIS ALL OF CAMP HOW WOULD THIS YOUNG PEOPLE GO INTO KYLE FIELD AND DEAL WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. IT WASN'T THE PRETTIEST OF VICTORIES, BUT THEY ANSWERED THE BALL WHEN THEY HAD TO WHEN THAT OFFENSIVE LINE STEPPED UP WITH RILEY LEONARD. HERE HE IS RIGHT HERE. THAT'S THAT INCOMPLETION. I TOLD YOU. I TOLD YOU. >> Chris: HE'S GOING TO MANAGE THE SITUATION. HE LOST FOUR IN THAT PLAY. RUN ONE MORE PLAY, THE AGGIES CAN SPEND THEIR FINAL TIME-OUT, AND THEY CAN BLEED IT DOWN. >> Kirk: OBVIOUSLY KEEP IT ON THE GROUND AND KEEP THE BALL IN THE HANDS OF 13. >> Chris: IT'S LOVE DANCING. AND OH! KIND OF BREAK HIM DOWN BY THE SHOE. HE BURNED A FEW MORE SECONDS AS HE GOT BACK DOWN TO THE ORIGINAL LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. THAT WILL BE TAKEN WITH 1:29 TO GO. IRISH WILL BE FAVORED IN ALL THE REST OF THE GAMES. CHECK THE COMPUTER'S PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO WIN. I KNOW COMPUTERS DON'T DECIDE THE GAMES, BUT CHECK OUT WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THEM. LOOK AT LOUISVILLE, A TEAM THAT BEAT THEM A YEAR AGO. GEORGIA TECH, THEY PLAY AT A NEUTRAL FIELD. GEORGIA TECH, LOUISVILLE, FLORIDA STATE ALWAYS A TOUGH GAME WITH THE ATHLETIC ABILITY. FLORIDA STATE EVEN WITH THAT LOSS, THEY'RE STILL A GREAT TEAM. USC, GO ON THE ROAD TO THE COLISEUM. >> Chris: THAT'S NOW RATED THEIR TOUGHEST GAME. >> Kirk: YEAH. BUT THIS WAS THE BIG HURDLE FOR THEM. AND I THINK IT GOT THEIR ATTENTION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHED TO SEE WHO THEY ARE AS A FOOTBALL TEAM. LIKE I SAID, I DON'T CARE HOW IT LOOKED. IT WAS ABOUT TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE WITH A WIN. IT IS NOT DONE YET. 1:21 WITH A&M OUT OF THEIR TIME-OUTS. >> Chris: SO THEY CAN RUN ONE MORE PLAY. RESET THE PLAY CLOCK AND RUN THAT DOWN. LOVE STAYING ALIVE AND FALLS FORWARD. >> Kirk: I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I -- >> Chris: YOU COULD TROT OUT THE FIELD GOAL KICKER AND TRY TO MAKE IT DOUBLE DIGITS. >> Kirk: ONE THING YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM NOTRE DAME, GOT A GREAT DEFENSE WITH AL GOLDEN. THIS DEFENSE WILL TRAVEL AND PLAY WELL EVERY WEEK. AND YOU HAVE A THREE-HEADED MONSTER WITH LOVE AND PRICE BUT ALSO LEONARD IN THAT RUN GAME. AND BEAUX COLLINS AND HOW THE RECEIVERS GROW AS A GROUP IS GOING TO BE THE REAL QUESTION ON HOW ELITE THE OFFENSE POTENTIALLY CAN BECOME AS THIS SEASON GOES ON. >> Chris: IT IS GOING TO BE 33 SECONDS WHEN THIS PLAY CLOCK RUNS DOWN. YOU'VE GOT MITCH JETER WHO HAS BEEN A RELIABLE KICKER. RARELY MISSED AT SOUTH CAROLINA. MADE BOTH OF HIS FIELD GOALS TONIGHT. YOU RUN THE RISK, OBVIOUSLY, OF IT GETTING BLOCKED AND RUN BACK. BUT IF HE MAKES IT, IT'S BALL GAME. >> Kirk: WOW, HE'S BEEN AGGRESSIVE PRETTY MUCH ALL NIGHT AS A HEAD COACH, RIGHT? REMEMBER FIRST DRIVE TO START THE SECOND HALF. >> Chris: WELL, LSU ARRIVING IN VEGAS. THERE ARE THE TROJANS MAKING THE MUCH SHORTER TRIP TO BEAUTIFUL ALLEGIANCE STADIUM. YOU AND HOLLY AND REESE DAVIS. WHAT DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON THERE BESIDES THE TABLES IN VEGAS? >> Kirk: WELL, THE QUARTERBACKS, YOU KNOW. REPLACING JADEN DANIELS AND CALEB WILLIAMS IS A BIG THING. AND ALSO USC MADE ALL THOSE CHANGES ON DEFENSE. I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW MUCH BETTER THEY ARE. >> Chris: SO MITCH JETER FROM 46 YARDS. HE HIT FROM THAT SAME DISTANCE EARLIER. ALSO HAD A 26 YARD CHIP SHOT. TRYING TO GO THREE FOR THREE AND PUT THIS ONE AWAY. CAN THE AGGIES GET IN THERE AND BLOCK IT AND CREATE SOME MAYHEM? IT IS DRIVEN RIGHT THROUGH! AND NOTRE DAME IS GOING TO COME TO KYLE FIELD AND COME AWAY WITH A HUGE VICTORY TO START THIS CAMPAIGN AND BEGIN TO BUILD THEIR RESUME AS A PLAYOFF TEAM. >> Kirk: I LOVE MARCUS FREEMAN'S APPROACH AS A HEAD COACH TONIGHT. INSTEAD OF SHYING AWAY OR BEING ULTRACONSERVATIVE, HE BELIEVES IN HIS GUYS, GOES FOR IT EARLY IN HIS GAME WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTION IT. AGGRESSIVE HERE. OH, BOY. WHAT IF THEY BLOCK THE FIELD GOAL? DON'T DO THAT. HE TRUST IT IS SNAP. HE TRUSTS THE HOLD. HE TRUSTS THE KICKER. AND, LOOK, IT PAYS OFF FOR HIM. KUDOS TO MARCUS FREEMAN, STILL A HEAD COACH BELIEVING IN HIS GUYS IN A VERY, VERY TOUGH ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY HAVE COME THREW TONIGHT WITH A VICTORY. >> Chris: YEAH. THE CLOSE CALL, A TROUBLING ENDING FOR NOTRE DAME FANS AGAINST OHIO STATE AND LAST YEAR'S OPENING GAME. THIS IS ANOTHER TOUGH ASSIGNMENT. THEY STEP UP AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE. MOST BELIEVE THIS IS AS TOUGH AS IT'S GOING TO GET. NOW IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE MAINTAINING FOCUS, MANAGING EXPECTATIONS. PEOPLE LIKE US WILL SAY NOTRE DAME HAS THE INSIDE TRACK TO A PLAYOFF, AND WE'RE NOT WRONG. THEY JUST HAVE TO HANDLE BUSINESS. >> Kirk: I THINK HE DOES A GOOD JOB AT HAVING THE PLAYERS' EARS, THOUGH. YOUR TEAM GREW UP TONIGHT. ESPECIALLY THAT OFFENSIVE LINE. THERE ARE SOME QUESTION MARKS ABOUT THIS TEAM. YOU HAVE A NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, HOW ARE THE NEW RECEIVERS GOING TO DO? AGAIN, IT WASN'T PERFECT. BUT THE WAY THEY ENDED UP ENDING THIS GAME, I THINK YOUR TEAM GREW UP. >> Chris: IN RECENT YEARS, TOP TEN TEAMS LIKE NICK SABAN AND ALABAMA AND BRYCE YOUNG HAD THEIR 19-GAME WINNING STREAK SNAPPED IN HERE. LSU FELL IN HERE, NOT NOTRE DAME. THEY BRING THE SEVENTH RANKED IN HERE AND THEY HANDLE THEIR BUSINESS. HE KNOWS HE HAS TO CLEAN UP THOSE 11 PENALTIES. ALMOST 100 YARDS. THEY HURT THEMSELVES, BUT THEY OVERCAME IT. >> Kirk: I TELL YOU, RILEY LEONARD GIVES THIS OFFENSE AND GIVES THIS BRAND OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FEEL. HIS POISE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, HIS COMPETITIVE SPIRIT, OVERCOMING SOME ADVERSITY, LEADING THE TEAM. YOU CAN SEE THE REACTION OF THE PLAYERS AROUND HIM, THE COACHES. THAT'S SPECIAL TO SEE. >> Chris: NOT TO MENTION HIS SKILL SET. >> Kirk: OH, YEAH. >> Chris: TOOK CARE OF THE FOOTBALL AND RAN EFFECTIVELY TONIGHT. >> Kirk: I GUESS THAT'S RIGHT. THAT ELEMENT OF HIM BEING ABLE TO BE A RUNNER AND JUST APPROACHES HIS JOB AS A WHATEVER IT TAKES. I GOT TO THROW, I'LL THROW. I GOT TO RUN, I'LL RUN. WHATEVER. LET'S JUST WIN THE GAME. >> Chris: YOU CAN EXHALE FINALLY. >> Referee: TEN YARD PENALTY, FIRST DOWN. >> Chris: HIS DUKE SEASON PRETTY MUCH ENDED AGAINST NOTRE DAME. GAME ONE FOR HIM AS A PLAY CALLER. REALLY HAD TO EARN HIS MONEY BECAUSE IT WASN'T EASY. THEY FINALLY GOT GOING. >> Kirk: THAT'S A FOOTBALL COACH RIGHT THERE. THAT IS -- THAT IS A FOOTBALL COACH. JADEN DANIELS LAST YEAR AND NOW HE'S IN SOUTH BEND. DESMOND RITTER AT CINCINNATI. HE'S BEEN AROUND SOME SPECIAL PLAYERS THAT HAD THAT SAME SKILL SET, RUN AND THROW. >> Chris: THE AGGIES, MEANWHILE, IT'S GOING TO GET TOUGHER. THEY HEAD INTO THE S.E.C. INTENT ON HAVING A STRONG SEASON IN YEAR RUN FOR ELKO, BUT THE SCHEDULE IS PRETTY DAUNTING. WHAT DO YOU SEE FROM THEM LOOKING AHEAD? >> Kirk: WELL, I THINK FRR FOR MIKE ELKO IT IS GETTING A TEAM TO BE RESILIENT AND OVERCOMING THEIR OWN SET OF THINGS TO DEAL WITH. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS IN THE S.E.C., YOU BETTER FIND SOME RECEIVERS. IT IS ABOUT THE ENTIRE GROUP AND ESPECIALLY WHAT THEY CAN DO TO IMPROVE AT WIDE RECEIVER. >> Chris: WEIGMAN BOUNCES THE BALL INTO THE TURF. A&M ABLE TO BEGIN JUST 243 YARDS. 100 PASSING YARDS AGAINST THIS IRISH DEFENSE TONIGHT. >> Kirk: SAW COACH SAY RUN THE FOOTBALL. HE WANTS TO GET OUT OF HERE. YEAH. HAD A FEW OTHER WORDS. BUT I WILL JUST SAY, RUN THE BALL, PLEASE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. >> Chris: THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE SWAMP. YOU GOT BOWLING GREEN. ARKANSAS AND ARLINGTON. SO A CHANCE TO GET THEIR FOOTING AND BEGIN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY HAVE GOT ON OFFENSE. BUT RILEY LEONARD AND THE IRISH COME ON THE ROAD. AND IT IS THEIR FIRST WIN AWAY FROM HOME AGAINST A RANKED S.E.C. TEAM SINCE THEY WENT TO KNOXVILLE 20 YEARS AGO. THERE IS THE ELKO-LEONARD HUG. NOTHING BUT RESPECT TO FIERCE COMPETITORS. >> Kirk: THE ELKO FAMILY THERE, OBVIOUSLY. >> Chris: MICHAEL ELKO, MIKE'S SON, FORMER BASEBALL TEAMMATE OF RILEY. HOLLY HAS MARCUS FREEMAN. >> COACH, YOU HAVE BEEN PREACHING RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT FALL CAMP. TIE BALL GAME, TWO MINUTES LEFT IN THIS GAME. HOW DID YOU FIND THE RESILIENCE ON THAT PLAY TO SCORE? >> WELL, WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A FOURTH QUARTER GAME. DECIDED TO KEEP PLAYING. THIS IS A REALLY GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM WE JUST FACED. WELL COACHED. THEY'RE TOUGH. OUR GUYS WERE HEALTHY. OUR GUYS WERE READY TO GO. AND THEY BELIEVED. I KNEW THIS GAME WAS GOING TO COME TO THE FOURTH QUARTER. AND I'M PROUD OF THEIR GUYS AND THE WAY THEY EXECUTED. >> YOU HAD A GREAT RUN AT THE END OF THIS GAME. THE OFFENSIVE LINE CAME UP LIKE IT WAS THE SUPER BOWL. HOW DID THEY HOLD UP? >> THAT'S A GREAT D LINE WE FACED TODAY. PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOUGHEST WE WILL SEE ALL YEAR. I'M PROUD OF THOSE YOUNG GUYS, MAN. I THINK WE HAVE SIX STARTERS COMBINED. THEY REALLY GOT BAPTIZED TODAY VERSUS A REALLY GOOD D LINE. I'M PROUD OF THEM. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GET BETTER. THIS OFFENSE AND DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS, IT IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. >> I WANT TO BRING IN YOUR YOUNG QUARTERBACK. HOW DO YOU THINK THIS YOUNG MAN DID HERE TONIGHT? >> HE'S AWESOME, MAN. HE'S RESILIENT. TALK ABOUT RESILIENT, THAT'S HIM. TOUGH. I WANT HIM TO GO DOWN SOMETIMES ON THE QUARTERBACK RUBS. THANK GOD WE GOT HIM ON THIS TEAM. >> THANK YOU, COACH. RILEY, YOU HAD TO HAVE SOME TOUGH RUNS, PARTICULARLY IN THAT FOURTH QUARTER. HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHEN AND HOW? >> YEAH. KISER SAID IT ONLY TOOK ME THREE-QUARTERS TO DO SO. BUT SETTLED IN AND STARTED MAKING MY RIGHT READS. YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR BODY ON THE LINE SOMETIMES FOR YOUR BOYS. ABLE TO GET THAT DONE. ONE DRIVE IS ALL IT TAKES, SO WE GOT IT DONE. >> THIS WAS AN OPPRESSIVE CROWD HERE TONIGHT. IT IS HARD TO HEAR, HARD TO PLAY. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE? >> YEAH, UNREAL CROWD. THIS PLACE IS SOMETHING EVERY CROWD DREAMS. YOU LOOK UP AND YOU CAN'T SEE THE END OF THE STANDS. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE TO BE. GOD BLESS THIS FOOTBALL TEAM. I CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS RIGHT NOW. THESE GUYS WORKED THEIR TAIL OFF. I KNOW I'M ON THE MIC RIGHT NOW, BUT CREDIT TO THOSE GUYS THAT THEY PLAYED GREAT. >> I CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THE SPARKLING C ON YOUR CHEST. YOU ARE BRAND-NEW TO THIS PROGRAM. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU HAVE DONE TO EARN THE RESPECT OF YOUR TEAM THAT VOTED YOU AS CAPTAIN. >> I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT MYSELF TOO MUCH, BUT IT IS THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE. AND THAT LEADERSHIP JOURNEY JUST STARTED WHEN I GOT THE VOTES FOR IT. BUT EVERYBODY ON THIS TEAM IS A LEADER. WE HAVE A PLAYERS ONLY MEETING. EVERYBODY IS GETTING UP THERE TO SAY WISE WORDS. I LOVE THIS TEAM AND ITS COACHING FOR SURE. >> I KNOW YOUR MOM WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF I DIDN'T SHOW AMERICA. YOU HAVE THE YOU SUCK BRACELET ON, BUT NOW IT IS IN IRISH. >> MATTHEW 23:12. THOSE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES WILL BE HUMBLED. THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES WILL BE EXALTED. I CARRY THAT WITH ME EVERY DAY. >> YOUR MOM TEXTS YOU EVERY DAY TO REMIND YOU TO BE HUMBLE. >> THE FINAL SCORE SAYS 23-13, NOT 23-12. THERE IS A LOT TO LIKE. HE'S DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO EARN THE RESPECT AS A LEADER ON THIS FOOTBALL TEAM. HE HAD THE MOST FAITH IN HIS NEW OFFENSIVE LINE THAN ANYBODY. I WASN'T SURE IT WAS JUSTIFIED. DIDN'T GIVE UP THE SACK. 200 YARDS RUSHING AGAINST THE DEFENSIVE LINE. >> YEAH. A BUNCH OF EXPERIENCED, TALENTED DEFENSIVE LINEMEN. WE HAVE SAID IT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BROADCAST. YOU JUST HEARD MARCUS FREEMAN TALKING WITH HOLLY. HE SAID, I TOLD YOU. WE WILL FIND A WAY TO WIN IT AND GET OUT THERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR NOTRE DAME. FOR TEXAS A&M, BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. IT IS A LONG SEASON. CONFERENCE PLAYS AHEAD OF THEM AND YOU HAVE A FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH. IT IS ALL ABOUT TRYING TO FIX WHAT DIDN'T GO SO WELL AND BECOME A BETTER TEAM. >> YEAH. NOT ALWAYS PRETTY, BUT CERTAINLY GRITTY. YOU COME ON THE ROAD TO A PLACE LIKE THIS TO A TEAM THAT HAS SOME QUESTION MARKS. I THINK YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT NOTRE DAME'S POSITION AND WHAT THEIR CHALLENGES ARE MOVING FORWARD. MOSTLY THEIR CHALLENGES ARE THEMSELVES. I THINK HANDLING THIS. >> BUT WHEN YOU HEAR RILEY LEONARD SPEAK, AS HE SAID, DEFLECT, DEFLECT, WE HAVE SO MANY LEADERS ON THIS TEAM. WE HAVE SO MANY GUYS THAT CARE. IT IS THOSE YOUNG GUYS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE THAT JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER, KEEP GETTING BETTER. THE RECEIVERS AND RILEY KEEP GETTING THEIR CHEMISTRY BETTER. AND RILEY RUNNING, THE WAY THEY PLAY DEFENSE, THIS TEAM WILL BE A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH GROW THROUGHOUT THIS SEASON. >> Kirk: IT WILL BE HARD TO MOVE THE BALL AT NOTRE DAME. THE FRONT IS PRETTY STOUT, TOO. SO LET'S SEE WHERE THEY GO AND BUILD FROM THIS. BUT THIS WAS EXCITING. THIS WAS FUN TO BE HERE OPENING WEEKEND IN KYLE FIELD AND SEE IF THIS SEVENTH RANKED TEAM WAS UP TO THIS CHALLENGE. IN THE END THEY WERE AS THEY WORE DOWN THE HOME TEAM. >> Kirk: YEAH. I THINK IT IS FUN FOR WEEK ONE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. YOU HAVE YOUR PERCEPTIONS. YOU KNOW, WE TALK TO PEOPLE. WE WONDER WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE LIKE. YOU WONDER IF THIS TEAM OR THAT TEAM. WE CAME INTO THIS GAME. WHEN IT IS GOOD AGAINST GOOD, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE. WE'RE ALL WATCHING JUST LIKE THE COACHES ARE AND LEARNING ABOUT THESE TEAMS AS WE SEE THE EXECUTION. SO WE TAKE AWAY WEEK ONE AND SEE WHERE THESE TEAMS GO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. >> Chris: AWESOME TO BE BACK WITH OUR GREAT CREW ON SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AS WE LAUNCH INTO THIS NEW AREA. TOMORROW NIGHT TROJANS TAKING ON THE BENGALS. >> Kirk: YOU ARE OFF TO TENNIS. WE'LL BE WATCHING. >> Chris: NOW, EXCEPT ON THE WEST COAST, STAY TUNED FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS ON MOST OF THESE ABC STATIONS. GOOD EVENING FROM KYLE FIELD WITH THE IRISH GOING ON THE ROAD TO WIN IT BY TEN. BYY T TENEN.. >>>> T THAHANKNK Y YOUOU F FOROW >>> THANK YOU FOR W WATCH IN