Coach Mike Elko and quarterback Riley Leonard reunite as opponents

 

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The top 20 matchup between Notre Dame and Texas A&M has plenty of history. Most of it surrounding Aggies Head Coach Mike Elko and Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard.  

From 2018-2021, Elko was the Defensive Coordinator in College Station, before becoming the Head Coach at Duke, which is where he and Leonard first connected. 

After two years with the Blue Devils, Elko went back to Aggieland. Leonard would enter the transfer portal and eventually land at Notre Dame. 

Fast forward to August 31, 2024, the former ACC duo are reunited but on opposite sides of the field. 

“I kind of wish there would be any other quarterback on the other side for the opener,” Elko said. 

“To be able to play against him, you know, it's awesome and we're all extremely competitive. So obviously this game means a lot to me,” Leonard added. 

But who would’ve guessed we would be here AFTER NOTRE DAME'S *COMEBACK* WIN ON THE ROAD LAST SEASON AT DUKE -- WHEN THE IRISH DELIVERED A GUT PUNCH TO THEN BLUE-DEVILS COACH MIKE ELKO -- AND QUARTERBACK RILEY LEONARD -- WHO ALSO SUFFERED AN ANKLE INJURY -- IN THE FINAL MINUTES.  

But who would’ve guessed we would be here after Notre Dame's comeback win on the road last season at Duke, when the Irish delivered a gut punch to then Blue Devils coach Mike Elko and quarterback Riley Leonard who also suffered an ankle injury in the final minutes. 

Leonard played two seasons for Elko developing into the dual-threat QB he is today.  

He passed for nearly ,4500 yards and 24 touchdowns at duke and ran for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging more than 5 yards per carry.  

“He obviously played a huge role in our success at Duke. And in a lot of ways me getting this job here at Texas A&M,” Elko said. 

But when Elko became the Aggies head coach, Leonard packed his bags, entered the transfer portal and Notre Dame made the call.  

“As soon as Notre Dame reaches out, you don't turn them down. So, I knew immediately this was the place for me." Leonard mentioned. 

After posting a 10-3 record in 2023 with Sam Hartman under center, The Irish were looking for a playmaker to run their offense and Leonard fit the bill. 

“He's one of those magnetic personalities that people like to follow." New Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock said. 

Leonard would miss the spring due to injuries, but quickly won over his new team with his talent, work ethic, and competitiveness. 

“He can zip that ball, put it in place. He put it right on you,” Sophomore receiver Jordan Faison said.  

“He's the ultimate competitor. He's a baller. He brings passion every day,” Tight End Kevin Bauman mentioned. 

“He's begging me to go live. I'm like, guy, you just missed all spring. Like, we're not going live,” Quarterback’s Coach Gino Guiduli added.  

“Since arriving in South Bend, the elephant in the room is how can riley help the Irish plan for Mike Elko and the aggies? 

“He's going to do everything he possibly can to make sure he has the upper hand on me for the first of his life,” Elko said. 

“The experience Riley has with Mike Elko, you know, playing against his defense, whenever I do is something, we could discuss and talk about,” Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman mentioned. 

Make no doubt about it the respect runs deep on both ends.  

“I don't want to make it about me versus him,” Leonard said. 

But it is hard to avoid the obvious.  

 “It's going to be that way, but I'd rather be, you know, Notre Dame versus A&M,” Leonard added.