Notre Dame Football Bowl History

2 min read 25-11-2024

A Legacy of Excellence

The University of Notre Dame has a rich tradition of excellence in college football, and its bowl game history is no exception. With 37 bowl appearances, the Fighting Irish have established themselves as one of the most storied programs in the sport.

History of Notre Dame's Bowl Appearances

Early Years (1925-1969)

Notre Dame's first bowl appearance was in the 1925 Rose Bowl, where they defeated Stanford 27-10. The team would go on to appear in eight more bowl games before 1970, including the 1947 Rose Bowl and the 1966 Sugar Bowl.

Ara Parseghian Era (1970-1974)

Under the leadership of Coach Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame experienced a resurgence in bowl success, appearing in four bowl games, including the 1973 Orange Bowl and the 1974 Cotton Bowl.

Dan Devine Era (1975-1980)

Coach Dan Devine led the Fighting Irish to three bowl appearances, including the 1979 Cotton Bowl and the 1980 Orange Bowl.

Lou Holtz Era (1986-1996)

During Lou Holtz's tenure, Notre Dame appeared in nine bowl games, including the 1988 Fiesta Bowl, the 1989 Orange Bowl, and the 1995 Fiesta Bowl.

Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham Eras (1997-2004)

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Notre Dame experienced a lull in bowl success, appearing in only three bowl games under Coaches Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham.

Charlie Weis and Brian Kelly Eras (2005-Present)

Under Coaches Charlie Weis and Brian Kelly, the Fighting Irish have appeared in 12 bowl games, including the 2007 Sugar Bowl, the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl, and the 2018 Cotton Bowl.

Notable Bowl Wins

1989 Fiesta Bowl

Notre Dame's 34-21 victory over West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl marked the team's first major bowl win in over a decade.

2007 Sugar Bowl

The Fighting Irish defeated LSU 41-14 in the 2007 Sugar Bowl, capping off a remarkable season.

2018 Cotton Bowl

Notre Dame's 21-17 win over Clemson in the 2018 Cotton Bowl sent the team to the College Football Playoff.

Bowl Record: 18-19 Last Appearance: 2021 Fiesta Bowl

Notre Dame's bowl history is a testament to the program's commitment to excellence and its rich tradition of producing talented teams and players. As the Fighting Irish continue to compete at the highest level, their bowl legacy will undoubtedly grow.