The Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a football team that represents the University of Notre Dame and competes in the Independent Conference. The Fighting Irish football program was established in 1887, winning eleven national championships. In 2020, they played in the American Athletic Conference (ACC). Their home games are played at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Notre Dame Fighting Irish has also won 11 unclaimed national titles, most recently in 2012. The team is led by head coach Marcus Freeman for the 2024 season. Notre Dame helped 109 players to the Consensus All-Americans team and numerous players to the NFL. Their five biggest rivals are the Army, Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a remarkable season in 1947. Frank Leahy coached the team to a perfect 9-0 record, thus earning the consensus national championship. The dominant team was led by quarterback Johnny Lujack, who won the Heisman Trophy that year for his performances. The Fighting Irish outscored their opponents by a total of 271-52, had four shutouts, and played well both, defensively and offensively. Players like Emil Sitko and George Connor led the team, which was marked by wins over Army and USC. They earned the No. 1 position in the final AP Poll with their undefeated record and dominance over their rivals.
Notre Dame Playoff Appearances
As of January, the Notre Dame football team made three playoff appearances in the college football playoffs (CFP), as per NCAA's official website. They first appeared in the college football playoffs in 2018, then in 2020 and 2024. Their playoff record, as of January 2025, is 2-2.
Read More: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stadium
Notre Dame Bowl Record
The Fighting Irish has participated in 44 Bowl games, as of 2025. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish's Bowl record is 22-21, as of January 2025.
| No. | Year | Bowl | Winner/Tie | Loser/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 | College Football Playoff - First Round | Indiana | Notre Dame |
| 2 | 2023 | Sun Bowl | Notre Dame | Oregon State |
| 3 | 2022 | Gator Bowl | Notre Dame | South Carolina |
| 4 | 2021 | Fiesta Bowl | Oklahoma State | Notre Dame |
| 5 | 2020 | Rose Bowl | Alabama | Notre Dame |
| 6 | 2019 | Camping World Bowl | Notre Dame | Iowa State |
| 7 | 2018 | Cotton Bowl | Clemson | Notre Dame |
| 8 | 2017 | Citrus Bowl | Notre Dame | LSU |
| 9 | 2015 | Fiesta Bowl | Ohio State | Notre Dame |
| 10 | 2014 | Music City Bowl | Notre Dame | LSU |
| 11 | 2013 | Pinstripe Bowl | Notre Dame | Rutgers |
| 12 | 2012 | BCS Championship | Alabama | Notre Dame |
| 13 | 2011 | Champs Sports Bowl | Florida State | Notre Dame |
| 14 | 2010 | Sun Bowl | Notre Dame | Miami (FL) |
| 15 | 2008 | Hawaii Bowl | Notre Dame | Hawaii |
| 16 | 2006 | Sugar Bowl | LSU | Notre Dame |
| 17 | 2005 | Fiesta Bowl | Ohio State | Notre Dame |
| 18 | 2004 | Insight Bowl | Oregon State | Notre Dame |
| 19 | 2002 | Gator Bowl | North Carolina State | Notre Dame |
| 20 | 2000 | Fiesta Bowl | Oregon State | Notre Dame |
| 21 | 1998 | Gator Bowl | Georgia Tech | Notre Dame |
| 22 | 1997 | Independence Bowl | LSU | Notre Dame |
| 23 | 1995 | Orange Bowl | Florida State | Notre Dame |
| 24 | 1994 | Fiesta Bowl | Colorado | Notre Dame |
| 25 | 1993 | Cotton Bowl | Notre Dame | Texas A&M |
| 26 | 1992 | Cotton Bowl | Notre Dame | Texas A&M |
| 27 | 1991 | Sugar Bowl | Notre Dame | Florida |
| 28 | 1990 | Orange Bowl | Colorado | Notre Dame |
| 29 | 1989 | Orange Bowl | Notre Dame | Colorado |
| 30 | 1988 | Fiesta Bowl | Notre Dame | West Virginia |
| 31 | 1987 | Cotton Bowl | Texas A&M | Notre Dame |
| 32 | 1984 | Aloha Bowl | SMU | Notre Dame |
| 33 | 1983 | Liberty Bowl | Notre Dame | Boston College |
| 34 | 1980 | Sugar Bowl | Georgia | Notre Dame |
| 35 | 1978 | Cotton Bowl | Notre Dame | Houston |
| 36 | 1977 | Cotton Bowl | Notre Dame | Texas |
| 37 | 1976 | Gator Bowl | Notre Dame | Penn State |
| 38 | 1974 | Orange Bowl | Notre Dame | Alabama |
| 39 | 1973 | Sugar Bowl | Notre Dame | Alabama |
| 40 | 1972 | Orange Bowl | Nebraska | Notre Dame |
| 41 | 1970 | Cotton Bowl | Notre Dame | Texas |
| 42 | 1969 | Cotton Bowl | Texas | Notre Dame |
| 43 | 1924 | Rose Bowl | Notre Dame | Stanford |
Read More: Notre Dame National Championship Wins
Notre Dame All-time Record
Notre Dame’s All-time record is 958 wins, 338 losses, and 42 draws, as of January 2025.
FAQs on Notre Dame Fighting Irish
A. Notre Dame Fighting Irish colors are blue and gold.
A. Notre Dame Fighting Irish play at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
A. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s mascot is the Leprechaun.
A. Notre Dame Fighting Irish is in the Independent Conference.
A. Notre Dame has won 11 national championships.
