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Notre Dame

Live updates: Monitoring inclement weather for Notre Dame football vs. USC

Tyler Jamesby: Tyler James10/18/25TJamesND
Notre Dame Stadium 2024
File photo of Notre Dame Stadium during the Stanford game in 2024. (Matt Cashore-Imagn Images)

Notre Dame football is set to host USC on Saturday evening in Notre Dame Stadium. But inclement weather may threaten game-day operations at Notre Dame.

The game between No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) and No. 20 USC (5-1) has been slated to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT while being televised on NBC. Blue & Gold will monitor if any delays occur due to weather, which is expected to include lightning, rain and wind throughout the evening.

This story will be updated with weather-related events as the evening unfolds. The most recent updates will appear at the top of the list below.

Game ends with no weather delays

Despite all the pregame concern, Notre Dame and USC completed its game in Notre Dame Stadium without any delays after it started. Notre Dame sent USC home with a 34-24 loss.

By:Tyler James

First half finishes with no delays

10/18/2025 08:15:02 PM

Notre Dame and USC made it through the first half without any delays caused by weather. The Irish took a 14-13 lead into the locker room.

Rain returned to Notre Dame Stadium around 9 p.m. EDT, but storms haven’t returned yet. The teams’ bands performed at halftime with ran falling on them.

By:Tyler James

Game starts with no rain

10/18/2025 06:24:58 PM

The Notre Dame-USC game is underway in Notre Dame Stadium. The opening kickoff took place with no rain falling.

Weather radar has suggested rain could resume around 8:30 p.m. EDT. Heavier storms are also in the radar around 10:30 p.m. EDT.

By:Tyler James

Notre Dame on track for scheduled kickoff time

10/18/2025 05:43:06 PM

Fans have started to enter Notre Dame Stadium as the university has given the all clear to resume pregame activities at 6:45 p.m. EDT. Some Notre Dame players also took the field to start pregame warmups.

The football program expects the game to remain on track for its 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff barring any weather setbacks. Rain started to slow in Notre Dame Stadium around 6:30 p.m.

By:Tyler James

Weather isn’t improving at Notre Dame Stadium

10/18/2025 05:07:37 PM

The 90-minute pregame clock started its countdown inside Notre Dame Stadium, but heavy rain continued to fall with lightning also in the area. Players have yet to take the field for pregame warmups and fans are still being asked to seek shelter.

By:Tyler James

Fans won’t be let into stands when gates open

10/18/2025 04:47:18 PM

Notre Dame still plans to open the gates to Notre Dame Stadium at 6 p.m. EDT, but lightning in the area will prevent the university from allowing fans into the stands.

Notre Dame shared locations open to fans to find shelter.

By:Tyler James

Rain continues to fall in Notre Dame Stadium

10/18/2025 04:35:13 PM

With two hours left until the scheduled kickoff in Notre Dame Stadium, rain continued to fall.

Some Notre Dame players started to walk onto the field for the typical pregame play at 5:20 p.m. EDT, but they were seemingly told to get off the field and headed back into the stadium tunnel.

By:Tyler James

Notre Dame cancels pregame events

10/18/2025 04:09:19 PM

The typical pregame activities on Notre Dame’s campus won’t look the same Saturday due to the weather. Notre Dame announced that that the football program’s Victory March, often referred to as the “Player Walk,” won’t occur.

Notre Dame also announced that Trumpets at the Dome and the band concert on the steps won’t take play. Notre Dame’s marching band is expected to march from Notre Dame’s Main Building with the Golden Dome to Notre Dame Stadium at 6:40 p.m. EDT.

Heavy rain started to fall in Notre Dame Stadium shortly after 5 p.m. EDT.