The exact page text, read by your browser's voice.
1887 – 1888
The first game: Notre Dame played its first football game on November 23, 1887, at home, and lost to Michigan 8–0 before a crowd the accounts put at 400 to 500. The Michigan team was credited with teaching the Notre Dame team the game before play began; former Notre Dame students on the Michigan side had encouraged the university to field a team at all.
The first season: It ran to three games, all against Michigan, all lost. The spring rematches were played on consecutive days: April 20, 1888, Michigan won 26–6 at Green Stocking Ball Park, and April 21, 1888, Michigan won 10–4. The 1887 team's record stands at 0–3.
The first win: It came in the final game of the 1888 season, 20–0 over Harvard Prep, the team of the Chicago Harvard School. Notre Dame did not beat Michigan itself until 1909, after eight failed attempts.
Sources:
- The 1887 Notre Dame season record — the November 23, 1887 game, the spring rematches, the 0–3 mark, the Harvard Prep win.
- Michigan–Notre Dame rivalry record — Michigan credited with teaching the game before play; the eight failed attempts before 1909.