Notre Dame and USC first met in 1926 and have played 96 times; officially, Notre Dame leads 51–37–5; as played, 53–38–5. Over the last 10 meetings it’s Notre Dame 8–2, and Notre Dame has won the last 3. The winner takes home the Jeweled Shillelagh, played for since 1952. Notre Dame has held it since the 2023 game. The NCAA vacated Notre Dame’s two wins (2012 and 2013) and USC’s win (2005); they don’t count officially. This page counts every game as it was played. Share
Scheduled2030 at USC Aug. 31; 2031 at Notre Dame Aug. 30; 2032 at USC; 2033 at Notre Dame. As the programs’ Wikipedia articles list them (CC BY-SA).
Who holds it comes from the games on file: the winner of the latest regular-season meeting since 1952 (bowl rematches aren’t played for it); a tie leaves it with the holder (the usual rule; the article doesn’t say). The rivalry’s article counts the games for it: Notre Dame leads, 36–30–3. From Wikipedia’s list of rivalry games and the rivalry’s article (CC BY-SA). More on the Jeweled Shillelagh.
Head-coach pairings with three or more meetings on file, the series read from Notre Dame’s side (Rockne 4–1 against Jones). A season split between coaches goes to the one credited with the game.
Both programs through the years
Notre Dame USCTicks under the axis: each meeting, in the winner’s color
Our Elo rating at the end of each season, a measure of how strong a team was, not a forecast; 1500 is an average FBS team.
Public-domain newspapers from the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America, found through the American Stories dataset (Dell and Harvard, CC BY 4.0). The earliest meetings with a story on file; each game’s page has the full text.
On television
ESPN’s College GameDay has broadcast from this game five times: 2012, 2006, 2005, 2004, 1995.
College GameDay’s sites from Wikipedia’s list of its locations (CC BY-SA). Viewers: Nielsen, as compiled by nschultz7’s ratings tracker.
Photos
USC quarterback Matt Barkley before the 2012 game vs. Notre Dame.Photo: Scott Enyeart/Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the USC Trojans 20–16 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday November 27, 2010. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)Photo: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe 2010 game
USC Trojans left tackle’s Matt Kalil blocking an extra point attempt during the 2010 match against the Notre Dame Fighting IrishPhoto: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe 2010 game
Former USC Trojans football coach, Ed Orgeron during a November 2010 game.Photo: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe 2010 game
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the USC Trojans 20–16 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday November 27, 2010. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)Photo: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe 2010 game
Hershel Dennis, walking with the rest of the USC Trojans football team towards Notre Dame Stadium.Photo: Bobak Ha’Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe 2007 game
From the rivalry’s and its games’ categories on Wikimedia Commons (free licenses only, each credited).
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