On Saturday evening, the excitement in the air will be palpable as the undefeated No. 19 Army faces off against the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This clash isn’t just another game; it carries significant playoff implications. If Army manages to pull off an upset, they could very well be in the mix for a playoff bid. Conversely, a victory for Notre Dame would add yet another impressive notch to their playoff résumé.
Why is Army-Notre Dame being played from Yankee Stadium?
You might be wondering why this historic matchup is taking place at Yankee Stadium, a venue known more for baseball than football. The answer lies in the rich history shared between these two storied programs. This game is being held at Yankee Stadium to commemorate the 1924 upset when Notre Dame triumphed over Army, a victory that has echoed through the annals of college football history.
That memorable game took place at the Polo Grounds, a historic site where many battles between these teams were fought. The Polo Grounds, located across the Harlem River from the new Yankee Stadium, was home to numerous significant sporting events from 1880 until 1963.
The Fighting Irish’s stunning win in 1924 was fueled by the legendary “Four Horsemen”: Jim Crowley, Elmer Layden, Don Miller, and quarterback Harry Stuhldreher. This quartet was immortalized by sportswriter Grantland Rice, whose iconic words captured the spirit of that day:
Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction, and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley, and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.
This victory marked the beginning of Notre Dame’s rise that season, as they went on to finish with a perfect 10-0 record and clinched their second national championship by defeating Stanford in the 1925 Rose Bowl.
Has Army-Notre Dame been played at Yankee Stadium before?
This isn’t the first time these two teams have met at Yankee Stadium. Their last encounter at this iconic venue took place in 2010, where Notre Dame emerged victorious with a score of 27-3. This game was particularly special as it marked the inaugural college football game hosted at Yankee Stadium, which has since become a popular site for college football events, including the annual Pinstripe Bowl.
Before the new stadium opened in 2009, the two teams faced off 22 times at the original Yankee Stadium, which is located just a block south of the current site. Their matchups there spanned several decades, with games played annually from 1925 to 1929, again from 1931 to 1946, and once more in 1969. The rivalry has also seen action in various cities, including South Bend, Indiana, West Point, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What’s the all-time record in the Notre Dame-Army series?
When it comes to the all-time record, Notre Dame holds a commanding 39-8-4 advantage over Army. The Fighting Irish are currently riding a 15-game winning streak against the Black Knights, a stretch that dates back to 1965. Here’s a quick look at Army’s eight victories over Notre Dame:
- 1958: Army 14, ND 2
- 1945: Army 48, ND 0
- 1944: Army 59, ND 0
- 1931: Army 12, ND 0
- 1927: Army 18, ND 0
- 1925: Army 27, ND 0
- 1916: Army 30, ND 10
- 1914: Army 20, ND 7
Despite their undefeated status, Army enters this game as a significant underdog against the Fighting Irish. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Black Knights have only a 12.3 percent chance of pulling off the upset. With those odds stacked against them, Army will need to channel the spirit of the Four Horsemen and aim for a monumental victory on Saturday night.
The significance of the matchup
This game is more than just a battle for playoff positioning; it’s a celebration of college football’s storied past. The historical significance of the venue and the rivalry itself adds layers of excitement for fans and players alike. Both teams are not just playing for wins but for pride, tradition, and a chance to etch their names into the history books.
As the teams prepare to take the field at Yankee Stadium, anticipation will build. Will Army rise to the occasion and upset the favored Fighting Irish? Or will Notre Dame continue its dominance in this storied rivalry? One thing is for certain: Saturday night promises to deliver an unforgettable chapter in college football history.
