Notre Dame and Navy Football Teams Ready to Clash in Dublin for Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Notre Dame and Navy football teams have arrived in Dublin, Ireland, ahead of the highly anticipated Aer Lingus College Football Classic set to take place on Saturday. It will be the 96th meeting between Notre Dame and Navy, with both teams having previously faced off in Dublin twice before. This time, approximately 40,000 fans are expected to attend the event.
With an impressive record of 81-13-1 over Navy, Notre Dame enters the game as the favorite. Their victories over the Midshipmen in Dublin in 1996 (54-27) and 2012 (50-10) further cement their position.
Known as The Fighting Irish, Notre Dame’s athletic teams embody qualities such as grit, determination, and tenacity. The team’s nickname was officially accepted in 1927 by then-University President Rev. Matthew Walsh. The Notre Dame Leprechaun serves as the team’s mascot.
Notre Dame Football plays its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The stadium underwent expansion in 1997, increasing its seating capacity from 59,079 to 80,795.
Last season, Notre Dame finished with a 9-4 record. Throughout its history, the team has an impressive all-time record of 938-334-42. Marcus Freeman currently serves as Notre Dame Football’s Head Coach, having taken over the role in 2021 after working as the team’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Notre Dame boasts several notable alumni who have made a lasting impact on the sport. Four-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Montana and Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis both hail from Notre Dame. Additionally, the university holds the distinction of producing seven Heisman Trophy winners, more than any other college.
As for Navy, the United States Naval Academy’s football team is known as the Midshipmen. Students at the academy are midshipmen on active duty in the US Navy, serving four years and graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees and commissions as Ensigns or Second Lieutenants.
Navy’s football journey began in the late 19th century when American football was initially prohibited on campus due to safety concerns. However, two midshipmen added rules from other sports to make it safer, leading to Navy Football’s first-ever game in 1879 against the Baltimore Athletic Club. Navy plays its home games at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, with a seating capacity of 35,000.
In the 2022 season, Navy finished with a 4-8 record, bringing their all-time record to 733-593-57. Brian Newberry, the newly-appointed Head Coach, will lead the team for the first time in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against Notre Dame. Newberry, a former defensive back at Baylor University, joined the Navy Midshipmen as defensive coordinator in 2019.
Navy has also contributed to the NFL, with notable players like quarterback Roger Staubach, defensive end Ed Sprinkle, and long-snapper Joe Cardona making the transition from Navy Football to professional football. Like Notre Dame, Navy has played Notre Dame twice before in Ireland, in 1996 and 2012.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated match between Notre Dame and Navy have sold out completely. Viewers in the US can tune in to watch the game on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
As the 96th meeting between Notre Dame and Navy approaches, football fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling showdown in Dublin. The tradition and history associated with both teams add to the excitement, ensuring a memorable event for all.
