Irish fans react to pause on Notre Dame rivalry with USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Jeweled Shillelagh will stay on Notre Dame’s shelf for at least one more year.

The team announced Monday that after 96 meetings in 99 years, they wouldn’t be playing USC during the 2026 regular season.

In prior years, World War II and COVID-19 were the only reasons the two teams didn’t meet up since 1926.

Fans that ABC57 caught up with Tuesday were disappointed, each saying they hope the two sides come to a deal within the next year to get the series back on track.

Bryan Driskell with Irish Breakdown, believes the change benefits Notre Dame more than USC, with the Irish adding a tough BYU team to their 2026 schedule on Monday.

Driskell also believes USC is using the deal Notre Dame made in the Spring of 2024 that stipulates the Irish will make it to the CFP as long as they’re in the top-12, as a reason to cancel the series.

Notre Dame’s all-time record against the Trojans is 51-38-5.