By Jay Berry
Norte Dame's starting left tackle is out for the season.
Week one of the 2024 college football season is upon us, and there are a few exciting games on the slate. One of the highly anticipated matchups is 7th-ranked Notre Dame vs. 20th-ranked Texas A&M.
Let's take a look at a matchup that could determine the outcome of the game.
Key Matchup to Watch
The Aggies' D-Line vs the Irish O-Line.
Notre Dame starting left tackle, Charles Jagusah will miss the 2024 season after suffering a torn chest muscle during preseason camp. The injury requires surgery to repair.
After losing Joe Alt to the NFL, the left tackle position was a huge need for the Irish.
In his first year, Jagusah redshirted as a true freshman. He saw live game action when Joe Alt decided not to play in Notre Dame's Sun Bowl game against Oregon State. Jagusah made his first career start at left tackle and played a crucial role in a run game that produced 236 rushing yards.
Notre Dame has a young offensive line with three sophomores and two freshmen, who have just six combined starts between them. This will be a big early-season test against a tough defense in a loud, hostile environment. The 12th Man will be rocking Kyle Field.
Why This Matchup Matters
The Aggies led the SEC in sacks last season and brought in additional quarterback hunters this season.
A&M landed the 2023 Big Ten sack leader , Nic Scourton, in the transfer portal. He had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as an Edge rusher for Purdue last season.
The Aggies also have 2022 All-SEC Freshman Team edge rusher Shemar Stewart on the other side. Stewart played in all 13 games last season for A&M.
They also added the 2023 MAC sack leader, Bowling Green's Cashius Howell . Howell had 9.5 sacks, along with 10.5 tackles for loss last season.
Senior defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who had 6 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last season, will look to take advantage of the young interior of Notre Dame's offensive line.
For fans who like to watch the trenches, this will be a fun early-season battle between the young Irish O-Line and the Aggies' sack-hungry defense.
Coaching Spotlight
Marcus Freeman enters his third season as head coach of the Irish, while Mike Elko begins his first season as head coach of the Aggies. Both face high pressure from alumni and fans to compete for one of the 12 playoff spots.
Familiar Faces
The Aggies new head coach, Mike Elko , came from Duke and is joined in College Station by Adam Cushing. Cushing, the run game coordinator and O-Line coach, was also on Elko's staff at Duke
They'll recognize a familiar face in Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard , who previously played at Duke under Elko and Cushing before transferring to Notre Dame this offseason.
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