In an unusually swift move, Brigham Young University and the University of Notre Dame announced a multi‑year football series that will open on October 17 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
A Swift Alliance on the Gridiron
The agreement, finalized just days before Christmas last year, required the backing of both the Big 12 and the Atlantic Coast Conference, illustrating how conference collaborations can open doors for traditional rivals.
BYU athletic director Brian Santiago explained that mutual respect and open communication paved the way, noting that the partnership reflects the institutions’ shared religious missions and a broader desire to showcase the positive side of college athletics.
Santiago and his counterpart at Notre Dame, athletic director Pete Bevacqua, were introduced by a mutual friend and quickly discovered common ground beyond the gridiron, leading to discussions about future matchups in other sports.
The series is not a one‑off event; both schools have already secured a Power Four nonconference slot through 2033, and the upcoming game is projected to rank among the most‑watched contests of the season.
The arrangement also emerged at a timely moment for BYU, which was seeking a Power Four opponent after the Cal Bears withdrew from a scheduled two‑game series, while Notre Dame saw an opportunity to add a tenth and eleventh meeting with the Cougars.
Both athletic directors expressed optimism that the collaboration will bring additional visibility to their respective campuses and reinforce the role of sport as a bridge between diverse academic communities.