A Renewed Rivalry
After a decade‑long hiatus, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California have announced a four‑game home‑and‑home football series that will resume the rivalry that once defined college football’s intersectional landscape. The agreement, confirmed by both athletic departments, will see the teams meet in August 2030 and 2031 before traveling to South Bend and Los Angeles in 2032 and 2033.
Game one is slated for August 31, 2030, at USC’s home stadium in Los Angeles, while game two will take place on August 30, 2031, at Notre Dame’s iconic Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The final two contests are scheduled for the subsequent two seasons, ensuring a balanced rotation of home fields for each program.
A Storied Past
The rivalry, which dates back to 1946 and has featured annual meetings except for the pandemic‑affected 2020 season, currently favors Notre Dame with a lead of 53‑38‑5 in the all‑time series. The Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy, first awarded in 1952, will be on the line, its green‑jeweled shamrocks and ruby‑jeweled Trojan heads symbolizing each school’s dominance.
The trophy’s history includes a hiatus during World War II and a pandemic‑related break in 2020. With both programs boasting a combined 22 national championships, the upcoming series promises to add another chapter to a narrative that has shaped college football for nearly eight decades.
Jen Cohen, USC’s athletic director, emphasized that reviving the series is a priority for the Trojan Family and provides a competitive outlet against Big Ten peers. Her statement underscores the strategic intent to maintain high‑profile non‑conference matchups despite the conference realignment that prompted the initial pause.
The resumption also revives memories of the trophy’s storied past, including a hiatus during World War II and a pandemic‑related break in 2020. With both programs boasting a combined 22 national championships, the upcoming series promises to add another chapter to a narrative that has shaped college football for nearly eight decades.