SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – As the season opener against Texas A&M approaches this Saturday, anticipation is growing.

While we’ve explored many storylines within this Notre Dame football team, it’s now time to focus on one player that will be attending his first American football game.

When veteran punter Bryce McPherson announced his transfer just a week before the end of spring practice, Notre Dame found itself in need of a new punter. That’s when James Rendell stepped in.

Hailing from Australia, Rendell will make his American football debut on Saturday. During his Australian Rules football career, he played in front of crowds as large as 25,000 at an 18-and-under national tournament.

And while this may be a different transition than what he’s used to, he’s extremely grateful to have this opportunity.

“Yeah, first Australian to come to Notre Dame, so it is a huge honor and privilege and incredibly grateful to be here with this opportunity,” Rendell says. “I remind myself everyday just to be grateful and take every day as it comes. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward. A lot of self-belief in myself and yeah, I’m not trying to look too far ahead at the moment. I set goals day by day, and I’m just all about staying in the present and winning the day.”

Notre Dame’s season opener on Saturday at Texas A&M kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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