Irish, Wildcats to play series

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Northwestern and Notre Dame have scheduled a home-and-home football series for 2014 and 2018.

A Reunion That Makes Sense

A Northwestern-Notre Dame series gives the Wildcats added exposure and the Irish a game in front of Chicago-area recruits and fans -- a natural fit for the schools, writes Adam Rittenberg. Blog

Notre Dame will host Northwestern on Nov. 15, 2014, marking the first time the teams have played since Northwestern upset the Irish in South Bend to open the 1995 season.

The Irish will visit Northwestern four years later, as they make their first trip to Evanston, Ill., since 1976.

The schools made the announcement Thursday morning on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" show.

"Northwestern and Notre Dame represent two of the finest academic institutions in the nation, and it's only fitting that we renew our rivalry on the football field," Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said in a prepared statement.

The schools met annually from 1992 to 1995 and have played 47 times. Notre Dame holds a 37-8-2 edge in the all-time series.

"It just makes sense," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said during the radio interview, noting Notre Dame's strong alumni base and recruiting connection to the Chicago area.

Adam Rittenberg covers Big Ten football for ESPN.com. He can be reached at espnritt@gmail.com

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Adam Rittenberg | email

College Football

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• ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008
• Wrote for Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald