If you just looked at the box score of the latest Virginia vs Notre Dame game, you’d probably think it was a boring blowout. 35-14. Simple, right? But honestly, that’s not the whole story.
Not even close.
When the Cavaliers rolled into South Bend in November 2024, they basically handed the Fighting Irish a gift-wrapped win before the first quarter was even over. Five turnovers in the first half? You just can’t do that against a top-10 team. Especially not when Riley Leonard is finding his rhythm and Jeremiyah Love is ripping off 76-yard touchdown runs.
It was messy. It was frustrating for UVA fans. But it also highlighted why this specific matchup has become such a weird, localized phenomenon in college sports.
The Brutal Reality of the Football Series
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. Virginia has never beaten Notre Dame in football.
Ever.
They are 0-5. That's a tough pill to swallow for a program that prides itself on being "The University." Whether it’s the Kickoff Classic in 1989 or the heartbreaker in 2015, the Irish always seem to find a way to break Cavalier hearts.
The 2015 game is the one people still talk about at the bars in Charlottesville. UVA actually had the lead. 27-26. Only 1:54 left on the clock. Then DeShone Kizer—who only came in because Malik Zaire broke his ankle earlier in the game—threw a 39-yard bomb to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left.
That hurt.
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Fast forward to 2024, and it was a different kind of pain. Anthony Colandrea is a fun quarterback to watch because he’s got that "gunslinger" mentality, but against a Marcus Freeman defense, that’s a dangerous game. Three interceptions in the first half is just asking for trouble.
Tony Elliott eventually swapped him out for Tony Muskett. Muskett actually played well, leading two scoring drives in the second half. It sort of makes you wonder what would’ve happened if the Hoos hadn't tripped over their own feet in the first 30 minutes.
It’s Not Just About the Gridiron
While the football side of Virginia vs Notre Dame feels a bit one-sided, the basketball court is where things get really interesting.
Actually, it's where Virginia usually does the bullying.
UVA is 18-4 all-time against the Irish in men's hoops. Most of that dominance happened under Tony Bennett, who basically turned Charlottesville into a place where Notre Dame’s high-octane offenses went to die. But 2025 brought a massive vibe shift.
With Bennett gone and Ron Sanchez in the interim role, the Irish finally smelled blood. On January 25, 2025, Markus Burton absolutely went off at John Paul Jones Arena. He dropped 21 points, and Notre Dame walked out of a sold-out JPJ with a 74-59 win.
That was a statement.
For the first time in a long time, the basketball rivalry feels like it’s on level ground. You've got Notre Dame climbing the ranks under Micah Shrewsberry, while Virginia is trying to figure out its identity in the post-Bennett era.
Why This Matchup Feels Different
There’s a weird shared DNA between these two schools. Both are elite academic institutions. Both have fanbases that expect a certain level of "class" (whatever that means) from their players and coaches.
But there’s also the Chris Tyree factor.
Tyree was a star at Notre Dame before transferring to Virginia as a grad student. Then, in the 2024 football game, he muffs the opening kickoff against his former team. Talk about a nightmare scenario.
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It’s those little human moments that make Virginia vs Notre Dame more than just a random conference game. It’s personal.
Soccer and the "Tie" Culture
If you want to see where these two are truly equal, look at the pitch.
In October 2025, the men’s soccer teams played to a 1-1 draw. It was a classic ACC battle—gritty, tactical, and ultimately indecisive. AJ Smith scored early for the Hoos, but Jack Flanigan equalized for the Irish in the 86th minute.
It’s almost poetic. In football, Notre Dame rules. In basketball, Virginia usually reigns supreme. In soccer? They just beat each other up for 90 minutes and call it a day.
What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're betting on this matchup in the future, keep a few things in mind.
- The Quarterback Carousel: UVA has a real decision to make between the raw talent of Colandrea and the stability of Muskett (or whoever comes next).
- The Shrewsberry Factor: Notre Dame basketball is no longer a "scheduled win" for Virginia. They play defense now, too.
- The ACC Scheduling Agreement: Since Notre Dame isn't a full football member, these games don't happen every year. That makes the ones we do get feel much more significant for bowl eligibility and playoff rankings.
Honestly, the gap is closing. Virginia showed in the second half of the 2024 game that they can move the ball on a top-tier defense. They held Notre Dame to just one third-down conversion on 12 attempts. That’s elite defensive play.
The problem is the "self-inflicted wounds."
Until Virginia learns to play a clean game against the Irish, the record is going to stay lopsided. But the talent is there. The coaching is... getting there.
Next time these two meet, don't just look at the rankings. Look at the turnovers. That’s where the game is won or lost.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the upcoming ACC schedule to see when the next basketball rematch is set for 2026.
- Follow the transfer portal—as we saw with Chris Tyree, players moving between these two schools often changes the game's emotional dynamic.
- Watch the recruiting trail in Virginia; Notre Dame has been raiding the Commonwealth for talent lately, and UVA needs to lock those borders to compete.