PHILADELPHIA, PA The Temple University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced a new three-game football scheduling agreement with perennial powerhouse University of Notre Dame during a media conference Thursday.
The Owls will host the Fighting Irish in Philadelphia in 2014 (Oct. 11), marking Notre Dames 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.
Temple is pleased to announce our new agreement with Notre Dame, one of the truly great programs in the history of college football, said Temple Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw. 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.
We are excited to have the opportunity to play Notre Dame, said head coach Steve Addazio, who coached at Notre Dame (1999-2001) for three seasons. This series is good for our players, our fans, and Philadelphia. Notre Dames 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.
Despite their extensive football histories, the schools have never met on the gridiron. Notre Dame, however, has played in the City of 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 also played at Municipal/JFK Stadium eight times and at Veterans Stadium twice.
Its been nearly 20 years since a Notre Dame football team has played in Philadelphia, so we're excited about the opportunity to do so, in the process playing a Temple program for the first time in our history, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick said.
Temples 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. Were 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 football, a member of the Mid-American Conference since 2007, continues to play strong non-conference opponents. Last fall, Temple announced a three-game series extension with Penn State through 2016 and a new four-game series with regional foe Rutgers through 2018.
Courtesy of Temple Athletics
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