# Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Navy Midshipmen Football Rivalry ## History and Background The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Navy Midshipmen football rivalry is one of great historical significance. The two teams have met on the gridiron annually since 1927, making it one of the longest-running rivalries in college football. The rivalry has been fueled by a combination of geographic proximity, contrasting institutional cultures, and a long history of close games. The first game between the two teams was played in South Bend, Indiana, on October 8, 1927. Notre Dame won the game 19-6, beginning a string of dominance that would last for several decades. In the early years of the rivalry, Notre Dame held a significant advantage over Navy, winning 17 of the first 20 meetings. However, Navy began to close the gap in the 1960s and 1970s, and the rivalry has been much more evenly contested in recent years. ## The Leprechaun Trophy The rivalry between Notre Dame and Navy is known as the "Leprechaun Trophy" game. The trophy is a bronze statue of a leprechaun holding a football, and it is awarded to the winner of the game each year. The trophy was first awarded in 1954, and Notre Dame has won it 22 times, while Navy has won it 17 times. ## Memorable Moments There have been many memorable moments in the Notre Dame-Navy rivalry over the years. - In 1977, Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-23 in a game that was decided by a missed field goal by Navy kicker John Carney. - In 1989, Navy upset Notre Dame 34-31 in South Bend, snapping the Fighting Irish's 23-game home winning streak. - In 2007, Notre Dame defeated Navy 38-14 in a game that was played in Dublin, Ireland. ## Recent Years The Notre Dame-Navy rivalry has remained competitive in recent years. - In 2015, Notre Dame defeated Navy 34-23 in a game that was played in Baltimore, Maryland. - In 2016, Navy defeated Notre Dame 28-27 in a game that was played in Annapolis, Maryland. - In 2017, Notre Dame defeated Navy 49-39 in a game that was played in South Bend, Indiana. ## Future of the Rivalry The Notre Dame-Navy football rivalry is one of the most historic and intense in college football. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in 2023, and the game is sure to be another memorable one. ## What Makes the Rivalry So Special? There are several factors that make the Notre Dame-Navy rivalry so special: - **History**: The rivalry is one of the longest-running in college football, dating back to 1927. - **Geography**: The two schools are located just a few hours apart, which makes it easy for fans to travel to games. - **Institutional Cultures**: Notre Dame is a private Catholic university, while Navy is a public military academy. This difference in institutional cultures creates a natural rivalry between the two schools. - **Close Games**: The rivalry has been very competitive over the years, with many games being decided by a single score.
