Via U-M Media Relations, the official release, issued this afternoon.
One item not mentioned: Parking opens at 8am? It’s a marathon not a sprint people! Pace yourselves Wolverine tailgaters:
U-M and ND to Play Historic ‘Big House’ Night Game in 2011
ANN ARBOR — University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon announced today (March 18) a historic night football game at Michigan Stadium between the two rivals on Sept. 10, 2011. It will be the first-ever primetime game played at home in the history of Michigan football.
This will be the first meeting between the Wolverines and Irish in primetime since a 1990 match-up of top five teams in South Bend. ESPN or ESPN2 will broadcast the game nationally starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
“This will be an unprecedented game day atmosphere that our fans have not experienced at Michigan Stadium,” said Brandon. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our program, University and Ann Arbor to a primetime viewing audience. This also adds a new chapter to the storied rivalry between our two great programs.”
“Our players have always enjoyed playing night games and I think it’s something that our fans will truly enjoy and embrace,” said Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez. “I expect the atmosphere will be electric for this match-up at the Big House.”
U-M played three night games at Notre Dame during a nine-year span, losing all three contests by less than a touchdown in South Bend. The 1990 contest featured a pair of top five teams, with the top-ranked Irish edging out the fourth-ranked Wolverines, 28-24, on a touchdown pass with less than two minutes remaining. Following are the three night games played at Notre Dame Stadium:
Date Result
Sept. 18, 1982 #20 Notre Dame 23, #10 Michigan 17
Sept. 10, 1988 #13 Notre Dame 19, #9 Michigan 17
Sept. 15, 1990 #1 Notre Dame 28, #4 Michigan 24
The series between Michigan and Notre Dame will remain unchanged through 2017. Michigan and Notre Dame will take two years off, the 2018 and 2019 seasons, to play home-and-home series with other schools before resuming the non-conference rivalry in 2020.
Michigan has compiled a 22-11 record in its 33 primetime appearances (game started after 5 p.m. local time). The Wolverines are 19-5 all-time at the opponent’s venue and are 3-6 in bowl games.
U-M played three night games before it played at Notre Dame in 1982. The first-ever night game was a 14-0 victory by the Wolverines against Marquette in Milwaukee, Wis., on Sept. 23, 1944.
Michigan has a 21-15-1 record all-time against Notre Dame and is 11-7 at home.
