Notre Dame vs. Miami: A Historic Rivalry Continues

The anticipation is building as the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes prepare to take on the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend this Saturday. The game will be broadcasted on NBC and Peacock. As the first College Football Playoff rankings have just been released, the stakes are high and the stories are plentiful for what promises to be one of the season’s key matchups.

The Rivalry’s Roots

The clash between Notre Dame and Miami dates back to 1955, when the Fighting Irish won their first encounter, 14-0. This match set the stage for a fierce rivalry that expanded over subsequent decades. Despite only meeting three times in the 1960s, the teams battled every year from 1971 to 1990, except in 1986. Initially, Notre Dame had the upper hand with a 12-1-1 record against the Hurricanes up to 1980. However, Miami shifted momentum, winning five of the next six games leading up to 1988, setting the stage for the ‘Catholics vs. Convicts’ game.

The Infamous ‘Catholics vs. Convicts’ Game

The 1988 game is one of the most memorable moments in the rivalry’s history. The matchup was dubbed ‘Catholics vs. Convicts’ by a T-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students, reflecting the perceived contrast between the two teams. Notre Dame was seen as the disciplined, historic Catholic team, while Miami was viewed as the rebellious squad overcoming challenges.

The 1988 clash saw a pre-game altercation in the tunnel, illustrating the intense animosity. Miami entered as the defending national champions with a 36-game winning streak. Notre Dame, ranked No. 4 and undefeated, was determined to secure a victory at home.

The game was tightly contested, with Miami trailing 31-24 late in the game. Hurricanes quarterback Steve Walsh connected with Andre Brown for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 31-30. Opting for a two-point conversion to win, Miami’s attempt was thwarted when Walsh’s pass was deflected, sealing a Notre Dame victory.

Notable Rivalry Games

• 1988 — Notre Dame 31, Miami 30
• 1985 — Miami 58, Notre Dame 7
• 1989 — Miami 27, Notre Dame 10
• 1987 — Miami 24, Notre Dame 0
• 1990 — Notre Dame 29, Miami 20

Throughout their storied rivalry, Notre Dame holds an 18-9-1 record over Miami. The Irish’s 2012 win was vacated due to ineligible players.

Recent and Upcoming Clashes

The teams last met on August 31, 2025, with Miami securing a 27-24 victory. They will face each other again on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, available on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Prepare for their next encounter by revisiting the famous 1988 ‘Catholics vs. Convicts’ game, a significant event in the history of college football.