Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko, players said after the 41-40 win over Notre Dame
Heading into this week's road game against No. 8 Notre Dame , many had doubts about Texas A&M's ability to succeed in the hostile environment this early in the season.
The Aggies silenced those doubts with one of the most impressive victories in recent memory. Coach Mike Elko earned a signature win against the Fighting Irish , 41-40, in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday night. Sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed had one of the best performances of his collegiate career: 360 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception against a Notre Dame secondary that ranked third in the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus .
It was not all sunshine and rainbows for Texas A&M , however. After a back-and-forth first half with the Aggies in front, coach Marcus Freeman got his Fighting Irish squad in gear in the final two quarters of play. When it seemed Notre Dame was shutting the door on the Maroon and White, a botched extra-point attempt breathed new life into the A&M roster.
What should have been a massive kick-return score from Terry Bussey was called back due to a holding penalty, which forced Reed to drive 74 yards to tie the game. The impressive drive from the dual-threat sophomore led to the game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Nate Boerkircher , and the point-after was right down the middle to put Texas A&M ahead, 41-40, with 13 seconds left on the clock.
Back-to-back incompletions capped the Aggies' first win over a top-10 nonconference opponent on the road since 1979. As one could imagine, Elko and the Texas A&M players had much to say after one of the program's most impressive victories in some time.
Elko on those doubting Reed's arm
Reed on his game-winning touchdown pass
Elko on Bryce Anderson 's injury
Elko gives props to Notre Dame
Elko discusses game-winning touchdown
Elko on his team's resilience
Elko on important top-10 win
Aggies had to kick down the door
Elko on Reed's performance
Elko on Reed's work ethic
Getting in rhythm, staying in rhythm
What does this do for the team's confidence?
Elko on pregame scuffle
Elko talks A&M's wide receiving corps
Reed talks Aggie grit mentality
Reed discusses importance of Saturday's win
Reed talks about toss to Boerkircher
Reed on Bryce Anderson injury
Notre Dame's timeout helped Reed and A&M
Albert Regis on the feeling of tonight's win
Regis breaks down Aggie performance
Regis watching last offensive series
Boerkircher talks game-winning catch
Boerkircher's time as a walk-on leading to this moment
What this game meant to Boerkircher
Boerkircher on Reed's dual-threat ability
Boerkircher talks about Reed's leadership
Boerkircher on last play
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M's coach, players said after win over Notre Dame
