Notre Dame announces addition to 2023 schedule
The 2022 season is still a few months away, but Notre Dame is getting to work on its 2023 slate. The Fighting Irish announced an addition on Tuesday.
Notre Dame will take on Tennessee State in 2023, the Fighting Irish said. The program put out a video to confirm the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
The matchup has even more significance, though. It’ll mark Notre Dame’s first-ever matchup with an HBCU, in addition to the first FCS opponent in program history. The schools didn’t announce a date for the game, but it’ll take place at Notre Dame Stadium.
Tennessee State, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, went 5-6 overall and 3-3 in league play in 2021. Notre Dame, meanwhile, went 11-2 this past season to earn an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.
The two schools will hold a press conference April 6. Both athletic directors and head coaches will be in attendance.
“I’m thrilled we’re able to bring the Tigers and the Irish together for a weekend that will feature programs with over 20 combined national titles, the Aristocrat of Bands and the Band of the Fighting Irish,” Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick said in a statement, via Blue & Gold’s Tyler Horka.
More on Notre Dame vs. Tennessee State
One important connection between the two teams is their head coaches. Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman and Tigers headman Eddie George are both Ohio State alumni. Freeman played for the Buckeyes from 2002-06 and George played from 1992-96 before an eight-year NFL career that included four Pro Bowl appearances and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
George is coming off his first year as Tennessee State’s head coach while Freeman is gearing up for his first year at the helm for Notre Dame after Brian Kelly departed for LSU. Freeman served as the Fighting Irish’s defensive coordinator last year after previously serving in the same role at Cincinnati.