USC offers to extend rivalry series vs. Notre Dame, per report
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The storied rivalry between USC and Notre Dame is one of college football’s most celebrated legacies, deeply rooted in history. The series dates back to 1926 and was sparked by Knute Rockne’s wife’s desire for regular trips to Southern California. However, as the landscape of college football evolves, and shifting business dynamics and political influences change, there has been considerable speculation about whether the rivalry will remain.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley has repeatedly cast doubt on the future of the series following the Trojans’ move to the Big Ten, citing a challenging 9-game league schedule and its impact on the College Football Playoff.
But, according to a report on Thursday, USC has extended a proposal to Notre Dame that would extend the series by multiple years beyond 2026.
According to the LA Times, USC athletic director Jen Cohen is optimistic the two schools will reach an agreement. She told the outlet she is “really hopeful” that USC’s new offer, which is said to better accommodate Notre Dame’s preference for a long-term deal, would lead to an agreement “very soon.”
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua told Sports Illustrated earlier this summer that USC’s reluctance to agree to a longer-term deal puts the series in danger. USC has faced intense backlash from all sides over the situation since.
“We’re trying to extend the series,” Cohen told The Times. “This is an important series for us and for our fans and for our program, and hopefully we get to a resolution that supports that and is in the best interest of our program.”
Riley weighed in on the matter back in July: “I want to play the game. Absolutely. It’s one of the reasons I came here. But also, my allegiance and my loyalty is not to Notre Dame. It’s not to anybody else. I’m the head football coach at USC, and I’m going to back USC, and I’m going to do everything possible that I can, in my power, to make us as good as I can.”
Since their first meeting nearly a century ago, both programs have accumulated 24 combined national championships and produced 14 Heisman Trophy winners through 92 matchups.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 52-38-5.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
