Temple & Notre Dame Announce Three-Game Football Deal
PHILADELPHIA (CBS)--Here come the Irish!
There was a time when it was inconceivable to ever hear Temple and Notre Dame mentioned in the same sentence when it came to college football. They're not exactly two programs synonymous with one another. It looks like times are changing up on North Broad Street, because Temple announced today that it has signed a three-game agreement to play Notre Dame, in 2014, in 2015 and the third game is yet to be determined.
"Temple is pleased to announce our new agreement with Notre Dame, one of the truly great programs in the history of college football," said a beaming Bill Bradshaw, Temple's Athletic Director, at a press conference to announce the agreement on Thursday. "This is an exciting opportunity for Temple University, our football program, and the best sport fans anywhere—here in Philadelphia. We are committed to playing the best programs in the country, and Notre Dame fits perfectly into our vision of bringing the best to the City of Philadelphia for our alumni and our fans."
The Owls will host the Fighting Irish in Philadelphia in 2014 (Oct. 11), marking Notre Dame's first appearance at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple will visit South Bend, Ind., during the 2015 (Sept. 26) season. The third game (date has yet to be determined) will be played at Notre Dame.
New Temple coach Steve Addazio has a Notre Dame connection. He was an assistant at Notre Dame (1999-2001) under former head coach Bob Davie.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to play Notre Dame," Addazio said. "This series is good for our players, our fans, and Philadelphia. Notre Dame's football tradition and national recognition are second to none. Playing strong non-conference opponents is a part of our blueprint, and Temple fans will not be disappointed."
This will be a first in Temple history. The schools have never met before in football. Notre Dame, however, has played in Philadelphia 16 times since 1928, posting a 14-1-1 record before nearly a million fans. The Fighting Irish have visited Penn five times at Franklin Field, going 4-1 against the Quakers from 1930 to 1955. Notre Dame has also played at Municipal/JFK Stadium eight times and at Veterans Stadium twice.
The Temple program was undergone a revival under previous coach Al Golden, who directed the Owls to consecutive winning seasons in 2009, going 9-4, their best record since 1979 and first time Temple played in a bowl game since '79, losing to UCLA in the EagleBank Bowl. Last year, Temple went 8-4 and was snubbed from playing in a bowl game.
Golden left for Miami, and in came Addazio, a former assistant coach under Urban Meyer at Florida.
"Temple's football team is clearly a program on the rise, and it will pose great tests for us each year we play," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. "We're looking forward to bringing the Fighting Irish back to Philadelphia and providing our strong East Coast fan base another opportunity to see its team in person."
Temple, which has played in the Mid-American Conference since 2007, announced a three-game series extension with Penn State through 2016, and a new four-game series with regional foe Rutgers through 2018.
Notre Dame Football History in Philadelphia
Date Opponent Score Stadium (attendance)
Nov. 3, 1928 vs. Penn State W, 9-0 Franklin Field (30,000)
Nov. 8, 1930 at Pennsylvania W, 60-20 Franklin Field (75, 657)
Sept. 27, 1952 at Pennsylvania T, 7-7 Franklin Field (74,518)
Nov. 7, 1953 at Pennsylvania W, 28-20 Franklin Field (74,711)
Nov. 6, 1954 at Pennsylvania W, 42-7 Franklin Field (61,189)
Nov. 5, 1955 at Pennsylvania W, 46-14 Franklin Field (45,226)
Oct. 12, 1957 vs. Army W, 23-21 Municipal Stadium (95,000)
Oct. 29, 1960 vs. Navy L, 7-14 Municipal Stadium (63,000)
Nov. 3, 1962 vs. Navy W, 20-12 Municipal Stadium (35,000)
Oct. 31, 1964 vs. Navy W, 40-0 JFK Stadium (66,752)
Oct. 29, 1966 vs. Navy W, 31-7 JFK Stadium (70,101)
Nov. 2, 1968 vs. Navy W, 45-14 JFK Stadium (63,738)
Oct. 31, 1970 vs. Navy W, 56-7 JFK Stadium (45,226)
Nov. 4, 1972 vs. Navy W, 42-23 JFK Stadium (43,089)
Nov. 2, 1974 vs. Navy W, 14-6 Veterans Stadium (48,634)
Oct. 30, 1993 vs. Navy W, 58-27 Veterans Stadium (61,813)
Totals 16 games 14-1-1 953,654 fans (59,603 average)
Reported by: Joseph Santoliquito
