Notre Dame has locked in its football rivalry with Stanford through the 2028 season, guaranteeing that the two programs will meet in consecutive years as part of the famed Legends Trophy series.
A Milestone in Scheduling
The agreement means the 2027 contest will be played at Stanford Stadium on November 27, while the 2028 showdown returns to South Bend, where Notre Dame will host Stanford on October 14.
The Irish hold a 25‑14 edge in the all‑time series and have faced the Cardinal every season since 1998, barring the pandemic‑shortened 2020 year.
A Nod to Lou Holtz
The upcoming 2027 game also marks the first meeting between Notre Dame and Kent State, a school that served as the alma mater of the late coach Lou Holtz. Holtz earned his degree in history from Kent State in 1959 after playing as a reserve linebacker in 1957.
Current head coach Marcus Freeman previously coached linebackers at Kent State in 2011‑12, and three former Irish assistants — Ed Chlebek, Pete Cordelli and Dean Pees — have each taken the helm of the Golden Flashes.
Notre Dame’s dominance over Mid‑American Conference opponents remains strong, posting an 11‑1 record all‑time, though a recent home loss to Northern Illinois in 2024 ended a streak; the Huskies have since moved to the Mountain West.
The Irish’s most recent MAC foe, Miami (Ohio), fell 28‑3 in South Bend on September 21, 2024, underscoring the continued strength of the program against that circuit.
Looking Ahead
With the Legends Trophy secured and a new historic matchup on the horizon, the Irish schedule promises compelling storylines for fans across the country.