SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 16: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on in action during a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Central Michigan Chippewas on September 16, 2023 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)
South Bend will welcome back a familiar face Saturday night when Mike Elko brings his No. 17 Texas A&M Aggies (2–0) into Notre Dame Stadium to face the eighth-ranked Irish (0–1). Elko, who served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator in 2017, is now in his second season leading the Aggies. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Series and Context
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 4–2, including last year’s 23–13 win in College Station.
- The Irish are 14–5 in home games following a bye week since 2000.
- Marcus Freeman holds a 2–0 record against Elko, defeating his teams at Duke in 2023 and A&M in 2024.
Freeman’s Focus
Coming off a bye week after the loss at Miami, Freeman said his message to the team centered on “delayed gratification.”
“Outside of our building, you’re evaluated off one thing, and that’s wins and losses,” Freeman said. “But inside the building, we must continue to be mature enough to understand that the momentary success or failure is not what the goal is. Our goal and our focus has to be to reach our full potential.”
Freeman pointed directly to areas that must improve: tackling, third-down execution, and starting faster in both halves. “The team that plays harder longer usually is the one that’s successful,” he said. “At the end of the day, in those crucial moments, you’ve got to play harder, but execute at the same time.”
Freshman quarterback C.J. Carr will have the full playbook available. Freeman praised his debut while also noting the importance of establishing the run with Jeremiyah Love. “We know we want to focalize our offense around J. Love. He’s a special player,” Freeman said.
Elko’s Outlook
After a pair of non-conference wins, Elko said the Aggies are trending upward heading into South Bend.
“I thought we took strides across the board,” Elko said of their win over Utah State. “Offensively, Marcel Reed had another day where he had over 300 yards combined total offense, accounted for another four touchdowns, didn’t turn the football over… Defensively, Cashius Howell hit on three sacks in one drive, which is really impressive.”
Elko acknowledged the challenge of facing Notre Dame’s secondary: “It’s one of the most talented groups in the country for sure. Leonard Moore… had a really good true freshman year for them last year. Christian Gray… is another really talented corner. They play a lot of man coverage. They play it really, really well because they have really talented players there.”
As for his return to Notre Dame, Elko kept the focus on the game itself. “I have a ton of respect for the program, the tradition, the history that is Notre Dame. Had a great year when I was there last time, and it’ll be exciting to go back for sure, but I don’t know that the nostalgia is going to be there.”
Matchups to Watch
- Notre Dame offensive line vs. A&M front seven: Freeman admitted the unit must play with more “velocity and aggression” after struggles against Miami. They’ll face Howell and a deep Aggie line.
- Jeremiyah Love’s workload: Expect Notre Dame to make him a focal point after limited usage in Week 1.
- Notre Dame corners vs. A&M receivers: Moore and Gray’s ability to hold up in man coverage will dictate Ash’s defensive flexibility.
- Pass rush vs. Marcel Reed: Elko said Reed is “really matured as a passer.” Disrupting his rhythm is essential for the Irish.
The Bottom Line
Both coaches stressed execution as the key. For Notre Dame, it’s about proving Week 1 mistakes were correctable. For Texas A&M, it’s about showing they can win a marquee game on the road. With Elko back in South Bend and two ranked teams on a primetime stage, Saturday night offers both programs a chance to set the tone for the rest of September.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
