The Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M game Saturday in South Bend is shaping up as an epic clash. The Irish open their home schedule needing a bounce-back win badly after a tough Week 1 loss to Miami. Led by freshman QB CJ Carr, Notre Dame showed flashes in their opener. But he struggled with offensive rhythm and pass protection. Their star running back, Jeremiyah Love, is nursing injuries, and the Irish will need him firing on all cylinders against a tough Aggies front. But this game means more than just another win for Jeremiyah Love. It’s personal.

The clash falls right on his mother’s birthday, giving Love added emotional fuel to push through any pain and deliver on the field. L’Tyona Love, a retired sergeant with the St. Louis Police Department, has been a rock in Jeremiyah’s life. Jeremiyah showed his gratitude to his mother in a big way earlier this year. Back in January, using NIL earnings from his standout sophomore campaign at Notre Dame, Love bought his mom a brand new Porsche.

And that became his “favorite NIL purchase.” “I bought a (Porsche) over the summer and gave it to my mom. She has it now (so) it’s hers now, basically,” Love said with a smile. Can you imagine the love in the Love family? Fast forward to now, Jeremiyah, however, didn’t let the significance of the day and game clash distract him from his role as a son. He took to Instagram on game day and shared a heartfelt story featuring his mother, L’Tyona, and father, Jason. The caption was simple and sincere: “Happy Birthday, mama, I love you.”

But that post is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Jeremiyah Love’s deep family ties. L’Tyona was often working long hours during Jeremiyah’s childhood, missing important moments like games and birthdays before her retirement. Jeremiyah once wrote a letter in high school asking for more time with his mom, and since then, she’s made it a point to be present, cheering him on from the stands during every game. Jeremiyah’s dad, Jason, has been his personal coach and biggest motivator. Their bond goes all the way back to Jeremiyah’s peewee football days.

“He didn’t have the confidence at first,” Jason recalled. “I used to take him aside and say, ‘Son, you’re great. You’re already a winner.” And that game became a unique tradition for both father and son. His parents were lifelines for a young Jeremiyah struggling to believe in himself on the football field. Growing up, Jeremiyah wasn’t instantly the star player everyone talks about today. Like many kids, he faced moments of doubt and insecurity. But raising Jeremiyah in St. Louis taught them one big lesson. That is, having a voice isn’t the same as having a say.

Both ex-military and former cops, they know what’s going on in their son’s head now, even if it took years to really break through. That deep understanding of Jeremiyah’s mind and emotions makes this Saturday’s game against Texas A&M even more charged. With his mom’s birthday falling on game day, all that family bond and shared history become a powerful driving force fueling his every step on the field.

Pre-game demands from Jeremiyah Love

After a lackluster opener against Miami, where Jeremiyah Love was bottled up, tallying just 33 yards on 10 carries, Notre Dame needs to get back to what makes them tick: controlling the ground game. “Jeremiyah Love has to get the football today,” CBS College Football analyst Damien Harris said. “Minimum of 25, maybe even 30 touches minimum today.” Love’s hard running and knack for breaking tackles can wear down even a tough Texas A&M defense.

In 2024, he put up 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. The stat line screams ‘workhorse’ and ‘difference-maker.’ Without enough touches, Notre Dame’s offense risks being one-dimensional, which the Aggies will feast on. Texas A&M’s defense is stout but vulnerable to a sustained pounding run game that keeps their pass rush honest. Plus, CJ Carris is still finding his footing. That said, the Irish offense leans heavily on Love’s reliability, and his dynamic playmaking ability gives the Irish a safer and more effective path to offensive success.

Besides pounding the rock, Love’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield adds another layer the Aggies must respect. Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock, knows that getting Love the ball early and often not only sets up big plays but also helps establish an offensive rhythm. That can, in turn, carry the Irish through a tense, physical game. For Notre Dame to bounce back and secure a crucial win in the 2025 season, the ball has to be in Love’s hands.