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Notre Dame Football vs. The Service Academies: A Brief History Lesson

By Sonny Martinez

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 01: Members of the Navy Midshipmen stand with members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish following their 49-39 loss at FedExField on November 1, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 01: Members of the Navy Midshipmen stand with members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish following their 49-39 loss at FedExField on November 1, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Timothy McVey #33 of the Air Force Falcons runs for a first down as teammate Ronald Cleveland #3 leads the way during the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Air Force Falcons 29-13. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Timothy McVey #33 of the Air Force Falcons runs for a first down as teammate Ronald Cleveland #3 leads the way during the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Air Force Falcons 29-13. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football has a long and storied history against US Military academies that dates back to 1913.

Some of the meetings between Notre Dame football and the U.S. Service Academies have been legendary, gaining “game of the century” status.

Although the Irish do not have Air Force or Army scheduled for the foreseeable future, Navy remains. That game won’t be going anywhere.

Today — on the eve of Memorial Day — we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and take a brief look at the history of these rivalries.

First up: The Air Force Academy.

Air Force

First meeting: October 10, 1964. 34-7 ND
Last meeting: October 26, 2013. 45-10 ND
Series record: Notre Dame leads, 23-6.

The Notre Dame-Air Force rivalry isn’t contested as often as it once was. Since the turn of the century, the Irish and Falcons have only met 6 times. From 1972 to 1996, they met every season except 1976. Notre Dame was victorious in the first 11 games of the series before a four-game Falcons win streak from 1982-1985. Since that time, Air Force has only managed two victories, both in South Bend, in 1996 and again in 2007. The highlight of the series from the Irish point of view came in 1975. Notre Dame was trailing 30-10 in the 4th quarter before Joe Montana lead the Irish to a three touchdown quarter, coming away with a 31-30.

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