No. 8 Notre Dame Starts 0-2 After 41-40 Home Loss to No. 16 Texas A&M

Notre Dame football suffered a narrow 41-40 home loss to No. 17 Texas A&M in their 2025 season opener, dropping to 0-2 and raising doubts about their ability to compete at an elite level this year. The game was marked by critical errors including a costly timeout called by head coach Marcus Freeman that allowed Texas A&M to execute the game-winning touchdown on fourth and 11, a botched point-after attempt, and a defense that struggled to contain Texas A&M's quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the loss, Notre Dame's offense showed flashes of strength with key contributions from running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, as well as impactful special teams plays like a blocked punt and a punt return touchdown. Fans and analysts criticized Freeman's coaching decisions and called for improvements, reflecting the frustration over the early season setbacks and the defensive lapses that have persisted. Notre Dame athletic leadership remains focused on improvement and resilience, knowing the playoff path is now more challenging but not impossible. The loss has sparked debate about the program's trajectory, with many questioning if Notre Dame can regain its status among college football's elite this season.