The Notre Dame athletics department announced another addition to the 2011 schedule Monday afternoon in a release stating that the Irish will face the University of Maryland at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. on Nov. 12, 2011. The home of the Washington Redskins seats 91,704 fans.
"As we have looked to move one game a season around the country, playing in the Washington, D.C., area seemed a natural for us in terms of institutional fit," Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick said in the University release. "The size of the FedExField facility alone will provide great access to tickets for fans of both Notre Dame and Maryland and the opportunity to spend a weekend in our nation's capitol should be a tremendous attraction."
The game will be the third "off-site" home game for the program, with television coverage to be hosted in prime time by NBC. Last fall the Irish traveled to San Antonio, Tx. in the first of such games where they defeated Washington State, 40-14, in front of 53,407 fans at the Alamodome. On Nov. 20, 2010, Notre Dame will renew its rivalry with Army at the new Yankees Stadium.
The Irish are also working to finalize a date to play Arizona State at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tx. in 2013.
When the Terrapins and Irish square off in 2011, it will mark just the second time that the two schools have met on the gridiron. In August of 2002, Notre Dame shutout Maryland, 20-0, at Giants Stadium in the Kickoff Classic, also the first game of the Tyrone Willingham era.
The Irish have played once before on the homefield of the NFL's Redskins. In 1998, they defeated Navy 30-0 at what was then known as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, named after the late owner of the franchise.
According to the University release, Notre Dame expects to make tickets available to its contributing alumni and fans through its alumni lottery as it does with all other football games.
"It is a privilege for FedEx Field to host of one of the most storied programs in college football history and match it against a university with a strong and successful local following," Washington Redskins chief marketing officer Mitch Gershman said. "This game will be an exciting event for our region as all eyes will be on FedEx Field."
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"As we have looked to move one game a season around the country, playing in the Washington, D.C., area seemed a natural for us in terms of institutional fit," Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick said in the University release. "The size of the FedExField facility alone will provide great access to tickets for fans of both Notre Dame and Maryland and the opportunity to spend a weekend in our nation's capitol should be a tremendous attraction."
