May 17--Notre Dame and Texas already will have an evening to themselves in the college football landscape after their season-opening game in Austin, Texas, was pushed back a day from Saturday, Sept. 3 to Sunday, Sept. 4.
On Tuesday, ESPN announced that game, which will air on ABC, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. (CST).
"A game of the magnitude of Notre Dame-Texas, played on the opening weekend of the college football season, deserves a special place on the Labor Day sports calendar," Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told und.com. "With this move we have secured that place and by doing so are providing a greater opportunity for fans of college football to enjoy what is sure to be another great game in a classic rivalry that dates back to 1913."
The Irish played six night games last season, and will have at least three more this year. Notre Dame also will play Michigan State (6:30 p.m. Sept. 17) and Stanford (6:30 p.m. Oct. 15) in prime-time home games.
Times have not yet been announced for the Irish's games against Syracuse on Oct. 1 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.; on Oct. 8 game at North Carolina State; or Nov. 26 at USC.
Notre Dame owns a 9-2 advantage in its series against the Longhorns, against whom the Irish will begin their season for the second straight year. Notre Dame topped Texas 38-3 in South Bend, Ind., to begin last season.
pskrbina@tribpub.com
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