(Photo: Icon Sportswire)
Scheduling college football these days feels a little like a game of three-dimensional chess. Athletic departments are balancing television contracts, conference obligations, travel demands, and future roster cycles years before teams ever take the field. Notre Dame made another move this week, announcing future matchups that bring both tradition and a meaningful connection to program history.
The most intriguing addition may be a first-ever meeting with Kent State at Notre Dame Stadium on October 2, 2027. On paper, it is another non-conference game. For Notre Dame fans, though, it carries a bit more, significance.
Kent State was the alma mater of late legendary Irish coach Lou Holtz. Holtz played linebacker for the Golden Flashes in 1957 and graduated in 1959 before eventually arriving in South Bend and restoring Notre Dame to national prominence, including the 1988 national championship season.
The timing also feels meaningful. Following Holtz’s passing earlier this year, the 2027 matchup could provide a fitting opportunity for Notre Dame to honor one of the most important figures in program history.
There are additional Irish ties as well. Marcus Freeman coached linebackers at Kent State from 2011-12, and several former Notre Dame assistants have also coached at Kent..
The game also continues Notre Dame’s history with the Mid-American Conference. The Irish are 11-1 against current MAC members and, with Kent State joining the list, will have faced nine of the league’s current 12 schools.
Notre Dame also extended its Legends Trophy series with Stanford through 2028. The Irish will travel to Stanford on November 27, 2027, before the Cardinal visit Notre Dame Stadium on October 14, 2028.
The Irish and Cardinal have become a fixture on the schedule since 1998, meeting every season except the COVID-altered 2020 campaign. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 25-14 and has won the last three meetings.
One announcement preserves a tradition. The other may provide a chance to celebrate a legend. Not a bad outcome from another move on the three-dimensional chessboard.