Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024, Season Preview, & History

June 21, 2024

notre dame football schedule history preview

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish HistoryThe Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a cornerstone of college football.聽 The program has had its share of solid seasons over the past two decades, and they represent many aspects of the and college football fans love. The Fighting Irish hold a prestigious place in the annals of NCAA history, having won 11 national championships, seven Heisman Trophies, and having than any other college program.

Third-year head coach Marcus Freeman led the Irish to a 10-3 record last season, in the Sun Bowl.聽 This season, Notre Dame brings in quarterback-transfer Riley Leonard from Duke. This is the second year in a row Notre Dame welcomes an ACC QB transfer (last season, the Irish ).聽 A challenge for the Fighting Irish this season will be replacing offensive tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, who both were highly-regarded NFL prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Notre Dame seeks to make it back to the College Football Playoffs for the .聽 See below for the Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 鈥 and Go Irish!

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024

31-Aug Texas A&M College Station, TX 7:30 PM ABC Notre Dame leads 3-2
7-Sep Northern Illinois Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 PM NBC/Peacock No previous matchups
14-Sep Purdue West Lafayette, IN 3:30 PM Notre Dame leads 57-26-2
21-Sep Miami (OH) Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 PM NBC/Peacock Notre Dame leads 2-0
28-Sep Louisville Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 PM Peacock Series tied 2-2
5-Oct Bye Week
12-Oct Stanford Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 PM NBC/Peacock Notre Dame leads 22-14
19-Oct Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) TBD TBD Notre Dame leads 30-6-1
26-Oct Navy East Rutherford, NJ (Metlife Stadium) Noon ABC/ESPN Notre Dame leads 80-13-1
2-Nov Bye Week
9-Nov Florida State Notre Dame Stadium 7:30 PM NBC/Peacock Florida State leads 6-5
16-Nov Virginia Notre Dame Stadium 3:30 PM NBC/Peacock Notre Dame leads 4-0
23-Nov Army Bronx, NY (Yankee Stadium) 7:00 PM NBC/Peacock Notre Dame leads 39-8-4
30-Nov Southern Cal Los Angeles, CA TBD TBD Notre Dame leads 49-37-5

Notre Dame 2024 Football Season Preview

Notre Dame is aiming to get back to the College Football Playoffs this season, and they have a manageable schedule that makes it a realistic prospect.聽 While the Irish face challenging games against Texas A&M and Florida State, other matchups including Purdue, Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), and Stanford should be very winnable games.

The Irish have a number of key defensive players returning, bolstering an already-strong unit, including defensive tackles Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, linebacker Jack Kiser, safety Xavier Watts, and cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

Notre Dame will rely on Duke-transfer Riley Leonard to lead the offense.

The 2024 season is littered with winnable contests and presents a plausible path for the Irish to make it back to the College Football Playoffs.聽 Read below for specific matchup summaries.

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 – Game by Game Preview聽

Texas A&M

The season opener at Kyle Field promises to be a challenging start for the Fighting Irish. The Aggies (who went 7-6 last year) are not short on talent but can they finally capitalize under first-year coach Mike Elko?聽 These teams have not played since 2001, when A&M won 24-3.

Northern Illinois

This will be the first-ever meeting between the Fighting Irish and the Huskies (who went 7-6 last year in the MAC), and it looks to be one pf the easier games on Notre Dame鈥檚 schedule. This game should be a nice opportunity to solidify the offense and fine-tune strategies before heading back on the road.

Purdue

A classic in-state rivalry, Notre Dame hasn鈥檛 lost to Purdue since 2007. The Fighting Irish aim to maintain dominance over a Boilermakers team that finished 4-8 last year in the Big Ten.聽 This will be a road test for Notre Dame, but it is a very winnable game.

Miami (OH)

This game is a sneaky one, as the Fighting Irish host a Redhawks team that went 11-3 last year and beat a . Two weeks later, the Redhawks , but this is still a solid team that will play tough against Notre Dame.

Louisville

Last year, Louisville beat the Fighting Irish, 33-20. The Cardinals finished the year 10-4 and ranked 19th.聽 Expectations are high yet again for Louisville, as most include the Cardinals.聽 Many key pieces in their lineup will be newcomers, however, including quarterback Tyler Shough (transfer from Texas Tech), wide receiver Ja鈥機orey Brooks (transfer from Alabama), and running back Donald Chaney Jr. (transfer from Miami).聽 This game should be a tough test for the Irish.

Stanford (2023 Record: 4-8)

Notre Dame hosts Stanford in what should be a very winnable mid-year matchup. Stanford went 3-9 last year and lost to Notre Dame in the final week of the season.聽 In 2023, Stanford coach also suffered to his former school Sacramento State.聽 Expect Coach Taylor to be on the hot seat in 2024.

October 19: vs. Georgia Tech

The Fighting Irish travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a neutral-site game against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets finished 7-6 last year and should expect to have a similar finish this year. Despite having one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks in Haynes King, Tech lost a staggering 21 players in the transfer portal this past offseason.

Navy

For the second week in a row, the Fighting Irish travel for a neutral-field matchup (this time, at MetLife Stadium – ). This rivalry has been historically dominated by Notre Dame.聽 However, Navy did beat the Fighting Irish as recently as 2016.聽 The Irish need to prepare against Navy’s triple-option offense, which is prone to confuse opposing teams not used to seeing the scheme but for once a season.

Florida State

The Fighting Irish have won the last three matchups against Florida State, but the Seminoles are coming into 2024 with a big chip on their shoulder. Last season, Florida State despite going undefeated.聽 This season, to be the top team in the ACC.聽 Fortunately for the Irish, Florida State has to travel to South Bend, which is always a for opposing teams.

Virginia

Notre Dame hosts a UVA team that went 3-9 last year and looks again to be in the cellar of the ACC. For UVA fans making the trek to Indiana, be sure to check out all of the of South Bend!

Army

Notre Dame travels to New York City for its third neutral-site matchup of the series. The Shamrock Series against Army will of Notre Dame鈥檚 historic national championship win over Army in 1924.聽 This season, expect the Irish to handle an Army team that went 6-6 last season.

USC (2023 Record: 11-2)

In the final matchup of the regular season, Notre Dame travels to the LA Memorial Coliseum to face the University of Southern Cal. USC went 8-5 last year and ended the season with an upset win against Louisville in the .聽 A win here could cement Notre Dame’s place in the playoff conversation but it won鈥檛 be easy.

Notable Notre Dame Head Coaches

Notre Dame鈥檚 first game was all the way back in 1887 ().聽 Since then, the Irish have had 30 head coaches. The names below are the most impactful – not only for Notre Dame, but for all of college football.

1) Knute Rockne (1918-1930)

  • Record: 105-12-5 (.881)
  • National Championships: 3 (1924, 1929, 1930)
  • Rockne is a legendary figure in college football. His teams were dominant, and he coached the famous “Four Horsemen” backfield in 1924. Rockne is .聽 Rockne is also credited with the idea of having the Fighting Irish wear green jerseys to help quarterbacks spot their targets against opponents in similar uniforms.聽 He was in 1951.

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

2) Frank Leahy (1941-1943, 1946-1953)

  • Record: 87-11-9 (.864)
  • National Championships: 4 (1943, 1946, 1947, 1949)
  • Leahy’s tenure at Notre Dame was marked by incredible success, including four national championships. His teams were known for their disciplined play and strong defense. Leahy’s ability to rebuild the program after World War II and maintain its elite status cements his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in college football history. and pushed himself so much that he collapsed on the sideline of a Georgia Tech game in 1953.

3) Ara Parseghian (1964-1974)

  • Record: 95-17-4 (.836)
  • National Championships: 2 (1966, 1973)
  • Parseghian revived the program and led Notre Dame to two national championships. In the year before Parseghian arrived, Notre Dame .聽 In Parseghian鈥檚 first year, he led the Irish to a record of 9-1.聽 One of his marquee victories was the 1971 Cotton Bowl when the Irish beat Texas 24-11 to end a 30-game winning streak.聽 Another big win was the 1973 Sugar Bowl, as the Fighting Irish beat Alabama to claim the national championship.

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

4) Lou Holtz (1986-1996)

  • Record: 100-30-2 (.765)
  • National Championships: 1 (1988)
  • Holtz brought Notre Dame back to the national spotlight with his energetic coaching style and ability to develop talent. He led the Irish to the 1988 National Championship with a 12-0 record and victory over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl (this is the program鈥檚 last national championship).聽 Holtz’s charisma (both on and off the field) made him a beloved figure in Notre Dame history.聽 He was of Fame in 2008.

National Championship Seasons

  • 1924 (10-0)
    • Head Coach: Knute Rockne
    • Notable Players: The Four Horsemen (Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, Elmer Layden)
  • 1929 (9-0)
    • Head Coach: Knute Rockne
    • Notable Players: Frank Carideo, Jack Cannon
  • 1930 (10-0)
    • Head Coach: Knute Rockne
    • Notable Players: Frank Carideo, Marchy Schwartz
  • 1943 (9-1)
    • Head Coach: Frank Leahy
    • Notable Players: Johnny Lujack, Angelo Bertelli
  • 1946 (8-0-1)
    • Head Coach: Frank Leahy
    • Notable Players: Johnny Lujack, George Connor

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

  • 1947 (9-0)
    • Head Coach: Frank Leahy
    • Notable Players: Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart
  • 1949 (10-0)
    • Head Coach: Frank Leahy
    • Notable Players: Leon Hart, Emil Sitko
  • 1966 (9-0-1)
    • Head Coach: Ara Parseghian
    • Notable Players: Terry Hanratty, Jim Lynch
  • 1973 (11-0)
    • Head Coach: Ara Parseghian
    • Notable Players: Tom Clements, Ross Browner
  • 1977 (11-1)
    • Head Coach: Dan Devine
    • Notable Players: Joe Montana, Ken MacAfee, Ross Browner
  • 1988 (12-0)
    • Head Coach: Lou Holtz
    • Notable Players: Tony Rice, Michael Stonebreaker

Notre Dame Football Records

The Irish have over 900 all-time wins, seven Heisman Trophies, and the most consensus All-Americans of any college football program.聽 See below for a list of individual record holders鈥

Most Rushing Yards (Career)

  1. Autry Denson (1995-1998) – 4,318 yards
  2. Allen Pinkett (1982-1985) – 4,131 yards
  3. Vagas Ferguson (1976-1979) – 3,472 yards
  4. Darius Walker (2004-2006) – 3,249 yards
  5. Josh Adams (2015-2017) – 3,198 yards

Passing Yards (Career)

  1. Brady Quinn (2003-2006) – 11,762 yards
  2. Ian Book (2016-2020) – 8,948 yards
  3. Jimmy Clausen (2007-2009) – 8,148 yards
  4. Tommy Rees (2007-2009) – 7,670 yards
  5. Ron Powlus (1994-1997) – 7,602 yards

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

Most Receiving Yards (Career)

  1. Michael Floyd (2008-2011) – 3,686 yards
  2. Golden Tate (2007-2009) – 2,707 yards
  3. Jeff Samardzija (2003-2006) – 2,593 yards
  4. Derrick Mayes (1992-1995) – 2,512 yards
  5. William Fuller (2013-2015) – 2,512 yards

Most Touchdowns (Career)

  1. Brady Quinn (2003-2006)聽 – 101 touchdowns
  2. Ian Book (2017-2020) – 89 touchdowns
  3. Jimmy Clausen (2007-2009) – 65 touchdowns
  4. DeShone Kizer (2015-2016) – 65 touchdowns
  5. Tommy Rees (2010-2013) – 62 touchdowns

Tackles (Career)

  1. Bob Crable (1978-1981) – 521 tackles
  2. Bob Golic (1975-1978) – 479 tackles
  3. Manti Te’o (2009-2012) – 437 tackles
  4. Steve Heimkreiter (1975-1978) – 398 tackles
  5. Bob Olson (1967-1969) – 369 tackles

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

Most Interceptions (Career)

  1. Luther Bradley (1973-1977) – 17 interceptions
  2. Tom MacDonald (1961-1963) – 15 interceptions
  3. Five players tied with 13 interceptions

Heisman Trophies: 7 Heisman Trophy Winners (2nd most in college football)

  • Angelo Bartelli (1943)
  • Johnny Lujack (1947)
  • Leon Hart (1949)
  • Johnny Lattner (1953)
  • Paul Hornung (1956)
  • John Huarte (1964)
  • Tim Brown (1987)

Conference Championships: n/a (Notre Dame is an 鈥淚ndependent鈥 football team and is not affiliated with a collegiate conference.)

Bowl Games: 40 (this ranks #23)

Total NFL Players: 532 (this ranks #1)

Notable Notre Dame Rivalries

The Fighting Irish have played over 1300 college football games in its nearly 150-year history.聽 Throughout that time, Notre Dame has maintained its status as independent and have amassed a long list of potential rivalries.聽 Below are the top 3 rivalries.

Notre Dame vs. USC

One of the most storied rivalries in college football, the Notre Dame-USC game dates back to 1926. Played annually, usually in mid-October, the winning team walks away with the (a Gaelic war club made of oak or blackthorn saplings from Ireland).聽 The Fighting Irish lead the series with a record of 49-37-5, including a 48-20 win last season in South Bend.

Notre Dame Football Schedule 2024 & Fighting Irish Season Preview

Notre Dame vs. Michigan

The very first football game Notre Dame ever played was against Michigan in 1887. Despite some interruptions, these teams have played 43 times, and both programs are among the winningest in college football. In the rivalry鈥檚 most recent matchup in 2019, Michigan .

Notre Dame vs. Navy

The Notre Dame-Navy rivalry dates back to 1927.聽 These teams played each other every year from 1927 until Covid snapped that streak in 2020.聽 During that timespan, this was the third-longest uninterrupted rivalry in college football history.聽 However, this might be the most lopsided 鈥渞ivalry鈥 in college football, as the Irish lead the series 80-13-1.聽 Notre Dame鈥檚 43-year win streak was snapped in 2007, and Navy did win as recently as 2016.

2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule 鈥 Additional Resources

2024 College Football Team Previews and Schedules

 


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