You remember the hype. It was September 28, 2024, and the air in South Bend felt different. People were calling it a revenge game, a top-20 slugfest, or just another chapter in a series that is becoming weirdly personal.
Honestly, the Louisville vs Notre Dame matchup has turned into one of those games you circle on the calendar because something chaotic always happens. Whether it's a massive upset or a special teams nightmare, these two programs just don't do "boring" when they meet.
The Day the Irish Got Even
Notre Dame had a massive chip on their shoulder. If you look back at 2023, Louisville basically dismantled the Irish in a 33-20 win that sent shockwaves through the rankings.
So, fast forward to 2024.
The Irish weren't just playing for a win; they were playing for respect. Riley Leonard, who’d been under a microscope all season, finally looked like the dual-threat monster everyone expected. He didn't just throw the ball; he took off. Leonard finished with 163 passing yards and 52 rushing yards, accounting for three total touchdowns.
But it wasn't easy.
Louisville struck first. Tyler Shough, who has been a journeyman of sorts in college football, looked sharp early. He found Isaac Brown for a 10-yard score less than two minutes into the game.
Why the First Quarter Was Pure Chaos
Usually, teams feel each other out. Not here. Within the first fifteen minutes, we saw:
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- A Louisville touchdown off a fumble.
- A 34-yard strike from Leonard to Jaden Greathouse.
- Another Irish score after a muffed punt.
By the time the whistle blew to end the first quarter, Notre Dame was up 21-7. It was a whirlwind. Louisville fans were stunned. Irish fans were losing their minds.
Louisville vs Notre Dame: A Series of "Almosts"
Let’s talk about Tyler Shough for a second. The guy is a gamer. He threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns against a Notre Dame defense that is notoriously stingy. Ja'Corey Brooks was his favorite target, hauling in two scores, including a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter that made every Notre Dame fan in the stadium hold their breath.
Louisville actually outgained Notre Dame.
395 yards to 280.
That’s a stat that usually means you won the game. But football is cruel. Turnovers and field position killed the Cardinals. They had three fumbles, losing two of them. You can't give a Marcus Freeman-led defense those kinds of opportunities in their own house.
The Defensive Stand That Mattered
When Louisville pulled within seven points late in the fourth, the tension was thick. Brock Travelstead had just nailed a 56-yard field goal—a school record, by the way—to keep the Cards in it.
The Irish defense had to hold. And they did. Xavier Watts, who basically lives in the opposing quarterback's head, came up with a massive pass breakup and later an interception to help ice things.
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The final score of 31-24 felt closer than the box score might suggest. It was a game of inches, missed blocks, and a few "what if" moments that will haunt Louisville fans for a while.
By the Numbers: How They Stack Up
If you're a stats person, the history between these two is actually pretty tight. Since their first meeting in 2014, the series is leaning toward the Irish, but it’s never a blowout.
- Overall Record: Notre Dame leads 3-2.
- Biggest Louisville Win: 33-20 in 2023.
- Biggest Notre Dame Win: 35-17 in 2019.
- Average Margin: About 8 points.
It’s becoming a "scheduling agreement" rivalry. Since Louisville is in the ACC and Notre Dame has that weird-but-lucrative partnership with the conference, we get to see this more often.
Honestly? Good. College football needs more games like this.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this narrative that Notre Dame just "bullies" ACC teams.
That's not what's happening here.
Jeff Brohm has turned Louisville into a team that expects to win these games. They aren't just happy to be on the field with the golden helmets. They are aggressive. They take shots. Sometimes it bites them, like the failed fourth-down conversions in 2024 (they went 1-for-5), but that’s the identity.
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On the other side, people think Notre Dame is always a "power run" team. Against Louisville, they've had to evolve. They used Riley Leonard’s legs as a primary weapon because the Cardinals' front seven is actually quite fast and disciplined.
Key Players to Remember
If you're looking back at the 2024 tape, keep an eye on these names:
- Jeremiyah Love (ND): His 32-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was the dagger.
- Isaac Brown (UL): The freshman RB is going to be a problem for the ACC for years.
- Stanquan Clark (UL): A tackling machine who forced a fumble early to set the tone.
- Leonard Moore (ND): The freshman corner who was thrown into the fire and held his own against a very talented Louisville receiving corps.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
As we move through the 2025 season and look toward 2026, the Louisville vs Notre Dame game remains a benchmark for both programs. For Louisville, it’s about proving they belong in the College Football Playoff conversation. For Notre Dame, it’s about maintaining that elite "independent" status while navigating a tricky ACC-heavy schedule.
If you’re a betting person or just a fan of high-stakes football, don’t ignore this game next time it pops up. It’s rarely a clean game, but it’s always a compelling one.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these teams, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both Jeff Brohm and Marcus Freeman have become masters at re-tooling their rosters overnight.
- Watch the Trenches: In every single meeting, the team that wins the "Havoc Rate" (sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles) has won the game.
- Track the Schedule: Because Notre Dame isn't in a conference, their path to the playoff often hinges on beating teams like Louisville to bolster their Strength of Schedule.
- Betting Tip: These games tend to go "Under" the projected point total more often than not, despite the explosive starts, because both coaching staffs are great at second-half adjustments.
The rivalry is young, but it’s already got more "juice" than many games that have been played for a hundred years. Next time they meet, expect fireworks, expect at least one weird special teams play, and expect the winner to be vaulted into the national spotlight.