On the road in South Bend, our Aggies delivered what I believe to be the statement win for Mike Elko and his staff. This win is just the beginning of what this team is capable of. The last time Texas A&M was able to beat a ranked team on the road was Nov. 8, 2014. This game felt personal after the tough home loss to open the season last year.
Let’s recap the Aggies’ revenge trip in South Bend this past weekend.
Mario Craver Explodes
Let’s start with the obvious: Craver showed the entire college football world that he is the real deal. His 207 receiving yards on seven catches felt even bigger than the numbers suggest. He consistently showed up when the Aggies needed him most. Think about his 86-yard touchdown to answer Notre Dame's blocked punt TD and his massive 34-yard reception on the final drive that set up the game-winning touchdown. Both proved he is the go-to guy when you need a momentum play. His ability to make explosive plays from anywhere on the field makes him a serious weapon, one that even one of the nation’s best secondaries had no answer for.
Craver is going to force defenses to adjust, and when they do, the rest of our offensive weapons will have their chance to thrive. To me, this game answered any questions or doubts surrounding his overall ability. This is just the beginning.
KC Concepcion
While Craver stole the headlines by going for 200, Concepcion had every opportunity to go for 150+ himself. There were three plays in particular where Concepcion had his man beat on deep routes, but Marcel Reed missed the throw. While the eyes of the nation are starting to notice Craver’s explosiveness, I believe Concepcion is just as dangerous. His speed in his routes is elite, and his ability to make tough catches shined in this game more than once.
If you go back and watch the film, there are plays that show why he’s special. His acrobatic catch with 14 minutes left in the second quarter was the kind of play not many receivers in college football can make. He followed that with a fantastic “out-and-up” route from the Notre Dame 46, setting us up at the 1-yard line and leading to a score. He’s still young, still ironing things out, but every time the ball’s in his hands, you see the potential. The way he works across the field, the quickness out of his breaks, the ability to create after the catch, it all points toward a player who’s going to be a matchup nightmare in this league.
This was the kind of game where Concepcion may not have been the star, but his importance was undeniable. His ceiling is high, and the Aggies are just beginning to unlock it.
Marcel Reed
The quarterback’s night told the story of toughness, desire to win and growth in his passing ability. His stat line: 17-of-37 for 360 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Reed led this team into a hostile environment, against one of the best defenses in the country and put on a show.
The best play of the game for me came with 3:31 left in the second quarter. Notre Dame brought a six-man rush. Reed stayed in the pocket, moved just enough to keep it clean and then delivered a perfect strike to Craver for a huge gain. That’s what I’ve been talking about in past articles, his pocket presence under pressure is real.
Another thing that stood out was Reed’s toughness. After getting smoked by Notre Dame’s Adon Shuler, I wasn’t sure if he’d come back in on that drive. After one play off, he returned, stood tall in the pocket and delivered a strike to Terry Bussey on a deep curl. To take a violent hit like that and bounce right back without missing a beat shows exactly what kind of competitor he is.
Now, there were still some misses that kept this game closer than it had to be. His 46 percent completion rate points to those missed opportunities. He overthrew Concepcion on a deep ball early in the second half and later missed Amari Niblack on a wheel route that could’ve been a touchdown. If he can find more consistency on the deep ball, this Aggie offense will be unstoppable.
But when it mattered most, Reed delivered. That final 75-yard drive was a defining moment. Calm under pressure, making plays when everything was on the line. His throw to Nate Boerkircher on fourth-and-goal to win the game is the kind of play that defines quarterbacks. When the moment demands it, Reed is exactly the guy you want in your corner.
Offensive Line — The Unsung Heroes
This performance from our offensive line was fantastic. Playing against a defense as strong as Notre Dame and not allowing a single sack is a testament to their growth and toughness. Zero sacks, only two tackles for loss given up and more than 120 rushing yards on the road against a top-10 defense is no small feat.
In my opinion, this group was the reason our offense was able to operate the way it did. They set the tone, and I expect them to be the backbone of this Aggie offense moving forward.
Defense bends but delivers in the second half
This defensive showing was all about grit. It wasn’t perfect. Notre Dame found holes, hit explosive plays and capitalized on special teams mistakes, but when the Aggies needed stops, they delivered. The second-half adjustments kept A&M in the fight, and when the game got tight, the defense rose up.
Sanford steps up
The moment Scooby Williams went down after his interception, the linebacker group was tested. Daymion Sanford stepped up and answered the call. His seven tackles, two TFLs and one sack were massive in this game. His TFLs on third and fourth down were as impactful as any touchdown we scored.
That’s the mark of a complete team. When one leader goes down, someone else rises. Sanford showed he’s capable of being that guy, and the defense fed off his energy.
Interior defensive line holds its own
The improvement here was clear. While there were still moments when holes opened up, this group was disruptive when it mattered most, racking up multiple TFLs in critical downs. Albert Regis, DJ Hicks and Tyler Onyedim all had huge moments, and together the unit accounted for 3.5 of our eight tackles for loss. If this group keeps growing, our defense will take a major step forward.
Some of my favorite plays from this group came early in the second half when we saw the halftime adjustments being implemented. The Aggie defensive front looked motivated and came out, preventing the Irish from building consistent momentum.
Secondary goes toe to toe
The Aggie secondary was tested heavily in South Bend. Notre Dame moved the ball through the air for 293 passing yards, but A&M’s defensive backs didn’t just fold. They made plays when it mattered. Dezz Ricks, Will Lee III and the rest of the secondary showed up in one-on-one matchups that in the past might’ve tilted in favor of the opposition. They stayed with receivers, broke up routes and made the Irish earn every inch.
We still gave up explosive plays, and yes, there were times when the passing game put us in danger. But those defensive backs made key plays to minimize damage. Their resilience kept us in striking distance late.
Closing Thoughts: From South Bend to the SEC
This game was more than just a road win against a top-10 opponent. It was a statement that the Elko Era is a new era of Aggie football. Beating Notre Dame in their house, in that hostile environment, showed this team’s toughness and ability to respond when everything’s stacked against them. That matters because if we want to have a successful season, we are going to have to be able to win in situations like this again.
Now comes the real grind for this football team: SEC play.
Every week in this league feels like a playoff game, physically and mentally, for these players. The speed, the size, the depth... It’s different. If there’s one thing this game proved, it’s that this team has the weapons, toughness and grit to compete with anybody.
For the Aggies, the challenge is no longer about proving they can play with the best. It’s about proving they can do it consistently, week after week, in the toughest conference in college football.
Saturday in South Bend was the spark. Now it’s time to carry that fire into the SEC.
