Win, lose or tie, the Tennessee State University football team will make history next season when the Tigers travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
The Sept. 2, nationally-televised game will be Notre Dame’s 2023 home opener, marking the first time the Fighting Irish have faced a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Notre Dame Stadium’s media center was the setting as the game was announced on Tuesday (April 5).
Officials at Notre Dame credited the Tigers’ second-year head coach Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, and Tennessee State athletic director Mikki Allen with creating the vision to schedule the game that will be televised on NBC.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to take my team to such a historic college football landmark in Notre Dame,” said George. “To be the first HBCU to compete at ND is a testament to the brand and history of Tennessee State University.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and George played for the Ohio State Buckeyes and in the NFL. Freeman is in his first year as head coach.
“I am excited for our program to be taking the field with Tennessee State, a great partner in college football,” said Freeman. “We are looking forward to hosting the Tigers, an HBCU with a proud tradition.”
TSU President Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover applauded TSU’s Allen and George for visionary leadership in securing the game.
“This game has many more dimensions than simply two teams meeting on the field. It provides an opportunity for TSU to showcase our student-athletes, our world-famous Aristocrat of Bands, and most importantly, this game showcases our university to millions around the world,” said Glover.
“We have a legacy of excellence from the playing field to the classroom, and our current academic programs continue to produce outstanding students and research.”
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick – in a distributed statement – said, “We’re excited to bring a pair of great academic institutions that are steeped in tradition together in 2023. … I’m thrilled we’re able to bring the Tigers and the Irish together for a weekend that will feature programs with over 20 combined national titles, the Aristocrat of Bands and the Band of the Fighting Irish.”
Allen described TSU and Notre Dame as “two iconic programs that have helped shape today’s college athletics landscape. The fact that Tennessee State will be the first HBCU and FCS opponent to play in South Bend speaks volumes about the TSU brand and the trajectory of our football program under Coach George’s leadership.
“As we continue to set the foundation for sustained excellence across our athletic programs, recruiting and exposure are paramount in helping us to reach this goal.”
Tennessee State has won more than 550 games and lists former NFL stars Richard Dent, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Claude Humphrey and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie among its alums.
The Tigers won the 1973 Division II national championship and 12 Black College national championships since 1946, but haven’t reached the FCS playoffs since 2013.
(This story reflects reports by the Associated Press and from TSU.)
