As Notre Dame’s 2025 football schedule continues to take shape, it was announced this week that the Fighting Irish will reportedly open the 2025 season against a historic rival. According to the Miami Herald, Notre Dame will travel to South Florida to kick off next season against the Miami Hurricanes. The exact date of the game will be announced in the future as ESPN/ABC will make that call during the off-season.
The two programs were originally slated to play in South Bend this season. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the date was pushed back to 2026 with 2025 being the year that the Irish would travel to Miami. The game will mark the fourth time in five years that Notre Dame has started its season on the road against a power conference foe. This season, Notre Dame opened its schedule with a Week 1 road win over Texas A&M. The Irish opened at Ohio State (lost 21-10) in 2022, and Florida State (won 41-38 in OT) in 2021.
Catholics Vs. Convicts
The announcement of the 2025 season opener will renew a storied rivalry. Most college football fans recall the famed “Catholics vs. Convicts” game in 1988. Notre Dame outlasted Miami in that memorable thriller, upsetting the Hurricanes 31-20 on their way to winning the National Championship. Notre Dame and Miami have squared off just 27 times. The Irish own an 18-8-1 record all-time in the series. The last time the two teams clashed came in 2017. No. 7 Miami dominated that contest, beating No. 3 Notre Dame 41-8. The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for the Irish.
Notre Dame 2025 Football Schedule
Aug. 30/31 – at Miami (FL)
Sept. 13 – vs. Texas A&M
Sept. 20 – vs. Purdue
Sept. 27 – at Arkansas
Oct. 4 – vs. Boise State
Oct. 18 – vs USC
Nov. 8 – vs. Navy
TBD
at Boston College
vs. North Carolina State
vs. Syracuse
at Pittsburgh
A Much Anticipated Renewal
The 2025 season opener between Notre Dame and Miami—two teams that appear heading to this year’s College Football Playoff—promises to be an exciting spectacle that will reignite one of college football’s storied rivalries. With portal transfer quarterback Riley Leonard moving on after this season, Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock will have a new signal caller under center against Miami. It will be interesting to see how the QB1 battle between Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and CJ Carr plays out. Will Freeman and Denbrock opt for Angeli’s veteran leadership for a top-heavy opening segment of the schedule? Or lean instead in the direction of the talented but unproven Minchey or Carr for the starting role? Minchey and Carr both have high ceilings but lack experience as a starter. With a trio of talented quarterbacks vying for the starting position next year, Irish enthusiasts eagerly await the answer.
Both schools boast rich traditions and passionate fan bases. Notre Dame and Miami have both produced legendary players. And next season’s matchup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens is certain to produce another classic clash.
