Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/393046
The series with USC began in 1926, and it morphed into Notre Dame's archrival over the decades. The only three times the programs did not meet was from 1943-45, when cross-country travel during World War II was dis- couraged. Navy became permanent on Notre Dame's schedule the following year, 1927, and the series has been uninterrupted since then, with the two schools developing their closest bond during World War II when the Naval Academy opened a V-12 program at Notre Dame to help keep the private school afloat financially. Maintaining a recruiting presence in California is at a premium, so playing at USC in even numbered years and Stanford in odd ones is what Notre Dame wants to continue. The academic excellence at Stanford is also highly valued by Notre Dame. "It's one that we will try to protect at all costs," Kelly said. "And I know my athletics director, Jack Swarbrick, has communicated to me that he has worked closely with the Pac-12 to make sure that through scheduling that we can keep this series alive." Notre Dame has played Stanford every season since 1988, other than 1995-96, when the University of Washington took the Cardinal's place. The Irish have faced a minimum of two Pac-12 opponents every season since 1988 (and three this year) to keep itself visible along the West Coast. UNDER THE DOME Notre Dame and Stanford have played every season since 1988 with the exception of a two-year break in 1995-96, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA