College Football News: Arkansas and Notre Dame schedule home and home
For the first time in history, Arkansas and Notre Dame will meet on the football field. The schools have scheduled a home and home series that begins in 2020.
This pair of storied college football powers share ties to coaching legend Lou Holtz. Still the schools have never squared off on the football field. That will change, but it’s not going to happen soon. Fans will have to wait several years to see these games finally take place. The first game will be held in South Bend on September 12, 2020. The Irish will make their return trip to Fayetteville on October 4, 2025.
In a press release, the Arkansas’ Athletic Director Jeff Long spoke glowingly about the upcoming series:
"“It’s remarkable to think our historic programs have never met, but we are excited that this will change in the near future as we add the University of Notre Dame to our football schedules in 2020 and 2025. This series will benefit our football program, our University and the Southeastern Conference, but more importantly it is an opportunity for our football student-athletes to compete against one of college football’s storied programs while providing a premier match-up for our fans. This series will provide a once-in-a-lifetime road trip and another memorable football Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.”"
It’s not common for SEC schools to venture that far north to play their non-conference games. The conference has faced criticism in recent years for scheduling FCS and lower tiered opponents to pad their record during the rigors of a brutal conference schedule. Arkansas won’t be accused of slacking off with this opponent.
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Since Arkansas joined the conference in 1992, three other SEC schools have met the Irish: Vanderbilt – 1995, LSU – 1998, Tennessee – 2001, 2005. Note Dame is 3-1 in those games. They fell to Texas A&M in 2001, before the Aggies joined the SEC. The Irish host Georgia this upcoming season.