SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame got off to the best start imaginable against Texas A&M.

After forcing a punt on the Aggies' first offensive possession, the Irish aggressively rushed the kick and Loghan Thomas blocked it. Fort Wayne native Tae Johnson, who had also rushed the punter, located the bouncing ball and scooped it up with sure hands, gliding into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown after just 1:54 had elapsed on the clock.

It was an early haymaker from the Irish, but it was only the first blow in a half that saw the teams trade punches in a phone booth throughout, ripping off dueling big plays over and over with the momentum swinging wildly back and forth.

At the break, Texas A&M leads 28-24, thanks to a late offensive surge. Jeremiyah Love has had a big half for the Irish

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