Notre Dame vs. USC: A century of pride, legacy, and glory

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Few rivalries in college football run as deep as Notre Dame versus USC. Dating back to 1926, this matchup — often called The Holy War — has always been about more than football. It’s pride, legacy, and history.

The Fighting Irish have taken the last two meetings and lead the all-time series 52–37–5. Linebacker Drayk Bowen said players understand the magnitude of this matchup, calling it “one of the biggest games of our season.”

From Joe Montana’s Green Jersey Game in 1977, when Notre Dame rolled to a 49–19 win, to the famous Bush Push in 2005 when Reggie Bush’s Trojans edged the Irish 34–31 — this rivalry has delivered some of the most iconic moments in college football.

Other memorable showdowns include Notre Dame’s 1988 victory over No. 2 USC, the 2012 win that sealed their spot in the national title game, and the 2018 matchup that capped an undefeated regular season.

Aside from the war years and the 2020 pandemic, these two have met every single year. But with media rights changes and scheduling conflicts, the future of the rivalry remains uncertain.

“It’s a shame,” said former Irish player Mike Golic Jr. “People making decisions forget the things that make the sport special.”

Former quarterback Ian Book added, “When you get to Notre Dame, you know the biggest game on the calendar is USC.”

Saturday night, the rivalry continues in the House That Rockne Built — Notre Dame vs. USC, a battle built on nearly a century of pride, legacy, and glory.