When Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard took the snaps for the Fighting Irish against Texas A&M on Saturday night, he clearly had faith in his heart.
Leonard used eye black to paint a cross on the left side of his face, and the cross remained there throughout the game as the No. 7 Fighting Irish defeated the No. 20 Aggies, 23-13.
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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws a pass against Texas A&M University during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
The Duke transfer quarterback completed 18 of 30 passes for 158 yards against former Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko and didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but instead had running backs Jeremiah Love and J’Darian Price rush for scores.
Additionally, fans spotted Leonard wearing a Bible verse on his wrist, which reads, “He that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
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Leonard acknowledged in February that his faith was a factor in deciding which university to transfer to: Notre Dame is a Catholic institution.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) speaks during an interview after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas, USA. (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
“Every single person I met in that city helped me with my faith, and I was able to bring that faith here, and of course that’s the most important thing in my life,” he told the Irish Tribune at the time. “When I go to bed at night, I don’t think, ‘How many touchdown passes did I throw? Did I win or lose?’ I think, ‘Did I improve my relationship with Jesus Christ? Did I treat my girlfriend with respect? Did I call my parents?'”
That was evident on Saturday night.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) attempts a pass during the first quarter of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas, USA. (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
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Notre Dame returns home next week to face Northern Illinois University.
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