Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mario Craver (1) running with the football in the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at Kyle Field. Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

'We circled this game': Texas A&M WR stresses importance of Notre Dame matchup

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 10:38 AM ET

Saturday brings a critical rematch for the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies. Texas A&M is 2-0 and is set to face the No. 8-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are 0-1.

Last season, Notre Dame invaded College Station and came away with a 23-13 win in the 2024 season opener. That loss stung for the Aggies, who were, at the time, led by quarterback Conner Weigman. He suffered an AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder during that contest and reaggravated it in Week 2. The injury eventually shut Weigman down for the year before he transferred to Houston in the offseason.

The Aggies then turned to redshirt freshman Marcel Reed, who led them to a 3-0 record in his first three games as the starter. Texas A&M finished 2024 with an 8-5 record, but Reed now has them at 2-0 and averaging 43 points per game. They've beaten UTSA and Utah State, but Notre Dame will be a more challenging opponent.

It is a chance for the Aggies to make a statement as well as get a little revenge. Wide receiver Mario Craver revealed on Tuesday that the matchup against Notre Dame is one the Aggies have had circled on the calendar for some time.

“Everyone knows at the beginning of this year, we circled this game on our schedule," Craver told the media on Tuesday. "This is going to be the first big game that we get to show what we can do."

Texas A&M WR Mario Craver on Notre Dame: “Everyone knows at the beginning of this year, we circled this game on our schedule. This is going to be the first big game that we get to show what we can do.” pic.twitter.com/cAcLFLunbE
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) September 9, 2025

Notre Dame will test Mario Craver and Texas A&M

Craver, a sophomore, has been a large part of the Aggies' success so far. He's caught 13 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 118 yards receiving per game in this early season.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are coming off a 27-24 Week 1 loss to Miami that saw them surrender 205 receiving yards to the Hurricanes. Miami did find the end zone twice through the air, but the Fighting Irish also have two of the best cornerbacks in the country on their side in Leonard Moore and Christian Gray.

That pair finished last season having combined for five interceptions, 19 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. They'll absolutely be looking to make a statement of their own against Craver and the Aggies.

This is a big-time matchup in a premier college football location. From South Bend, Ind., kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 13, airing on NBC and Peacock.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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