Decades after Notre Dame last played Nebraska, the series between two of the most celebrated programs in college football history is set to resume. In the process, the Fighting Irish could get some revenge, as they’ve lost the last three times they’ve faced the Huskers.
On Wednesday morning, the two schools announced a new home-and-home series set to begin in 2032.
In the first game of the two-game series, the Irish will play in Lincoln, Neb., on October 30, 2032. The return trip will see Notre Dame host Nebraska on October 29, 2033. In the process, Pete Bevacqua has managed to secure yet another series against a Power 4 team, despite claims by some "experts" in the field that Big Ten programs and others should boycott Notre Dame until it buckles and joins a conference in football.
When this new two-game set begins, it will be the first time the two programs have faced off. Over the years, they've played each other only 16 times, with Nebraska winning the last three. In 1973, the Huskers beat the Irish in the Orange Bowl 40-6. In 2000, the Huskers traveled to South Bend and beat them 27-24. The following year, Notre Dame went to Lincoln and lost 27-10.
Notre Dame football secures Nebraska series despite growing Power 4 scheduling concerns
As the College Football Playoff era has progressed, the Irish have had trouble finding Power 4 programs willing to play them. USC backed out of the rivalry starting this year, though they eventually folded and agreed to restart it in a few years.
Notre Dame also has a home and home series scheduled for 2028 and 2029 with Texas. However, the Longhorns have made a bunch of news this year about possibly backing out of the agreement. The SEC schools cited concerns that USC used as well, saying that it doesn't make much sense to schedule difficult non-conference games if a loss in those games means they miss the CFP.
On Saturday, UT head coach Steve Sarkisian celebrated a win over Ohio State, saying it was actually better for schools like his to schedule difficult non-conference games because it offered a tougher challenge and a chance to improve.
One of the most interesting aspects of this series is that Nebraska seems to be wagging its finger in the face of Big Ten rival USC. One of the reasons the Trojans claimed they didn't want to play the series against Notre Dame anymore is that the Irish wanted the games in the middle of the Big Ten schedule. The October games means the Huskers have so such qualms.
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