Notre Dame safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] kept the Texas A&M from getting points before halftime with a highlight-reel interception.
The Aggies had appeared to approach a late first-half drive with a conservative approach but then got aggressive shortly after Conner Weigman passed to Noah Thomas for 10 yards and ran the ball for 9 yards. With 46 seconds remaining, Weigman fired a pass over the middle and Watts read it all the way, making a diving catch for the pick.
The offense didn’t do much with it, in part because of a holding penalty assessed to left tackle Anthonie Knapp — a true freshman making his first start — but that was likely by design. With Notre Dame receiving the second-half kickoff, there was little reason to risk a turnover that could lead to Texas A&M points before the half.
The most important part about Watts’ interception is that it kept the Aggies from even getting a field goal before halftime. It would’ve been nice had Notre Dame got points, but keeping the score tied heading into the break is still a win.
Interception, Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense! Xavier Watts with a clutch pick with the game tied up 6-6 before the end of the first half against Texas A&M! #NDvsTAMU #TAMU #CFB pic.twitter.com/6jL3m87IXZ
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