The history of the Notre Dame - Stanford rivalry

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are in Palo Alto for the final game of the regular season against Stanford.

There have been many big games between these two over the years and Saturday night's game adds to the history of legends weekend that began almost a century ago.

The rivalry started at the Rose Bowl in 1925.

“It’s a great game, a rivalry game, a game we all look forward to,” said Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame linebacker.

Notre Dame and Stanford will meet for the 32nd time Saturday night.

ND Head Coach Brian Kelly said they are “A team we haven’t beaten out there since 2007.”

The Irish lead the series 19 to 12 but the Cardinal have won six of the last eight including two straight.

“A win against this football team is important.  It’s the Legends Trophy for us," he continued. 

The winner since 1989 has taken home the Legends Trophy a Dublin Irish crystal bowl sitting on California redwood.

“Getting that back is important.  It would give us all the traveling trophies this year," said Kelly.

Seasons are on the line when the two take the field in Palo Alto Thanksgiving weekend.

Tranquill noted, "Being the last game of the season and us getting the chance to play them at home.  A great opportunity, challenge for us and guys are excited.”

“They’ve had good teams, you know and they’ve been close games.  I think since 2012, these games have been decided by 7 points or less," added Kelly.

For the Irish a win not only means taking the Legends Trophy back to South Bend but also a ten win season and a goal fulfilled when the seniors started the season.

“It’s huge for us.  That’s exactly where our program wants to be and where we’ve worked since January to get it to.  It’s a great opportunity against a great Stanford team and that’s all we’re focused on," commented Mike McGlinchey, ND offensive lineman./p>

It’s the 9-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the 8-3 Stanford Cardinal from Stanford stadium and according to Coach Kelly, “If you’re playing for a National Championship here at Notre Dame, you should be looking with your eye towards playing in a New Year’s Six.  I think that means that all is right in the world – in the  Notre Dame Football world – if that’s happening.”