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USC, Notre Dame Urged to ‘Just Play the Game’ by College Football Power Players
TL;DR
USC and Notre Dame are in negotiations to revive their historic football rivalry, with strong public support from influential figures like Pete Bevacqua and Rece Davis. The annual battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh may soon return.
Key points
- Negotiations between USC and Notre Dame are underway
- Public support for the rivalry is strong
- Pete Bevacqua and Rece Davis advocate for the game
- The rivalry features the Jeweled Shillelagh trophy
- The last game was on October 18, 2025
Mentioned in this story
Pete BevacquaRece Davis
USCNotre Dame
With negotiations between USC and Notre Dame underway, the once-dead rivalry may soon get new life.
Public support seems to be firmly behind the resumption of the annual battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh, including from some influential college administrators and media members.
Recently, both Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua and ESPN’s “College GameDay” host Rece Davis spoke publicly in support of the two historic programs playing.
Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) runs for a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Bevacqua told Davis that expanding the College Football Playoff would better accommodate a regular matchup between the two teams.
“Do we want to play USC in the future? 100 percent, yeah,” Bevacqua said, as reported by Pete Simpson of The Athletic. “We think that’s great for Notre Dame. We think it’s great for USC, we think it is great for college football. And at this point, that’s really all I can say about that.”
Davis, on the “College GameDay Podcast,” said USC-Notre Dame is just one example of the kinds of programs who need to be playing against each other regularly, and not just for the fans.
It’s also important for potential playoff seeding at the end of the year.
Q&A
What is the significance of the USC vs. Notre Dame rivalry?
The USC vs. Notre Dame rivalry is one of college football's most storied matchups, known for its competitive history and the prestigious Jeweled Shillelagh trophy.
Who are the key figures supporting the resumption of the USC and Notre Dame game?
Key figures include Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua and ESPN's 'College GameDay' host Rece Davis, both advocating for the rivalry to continue.
When was the last time USC and Notre Dame played each other?
The last game between USC and Notre Dame took place on October 18, 2025, at Notre Dame Stadium.