In Sporting Rivalries, we look at programs and other ephemera marking the inaugural game of famous and lesser-known sports rivalries.
To date, the universities of Notre Dame and Oklahoma have faced each other in college football just 11 times, with the Fighting Irish holding a distinct 9-2 edge in the series. All but two of the schools’ matchups took place in the 1950s and ’60s, with a 31-year break until this very brief rivalry resumed in 1999.
The two schools first met at Notre Dame Stadium on November 8, 1952. Both teams came into the game with national rankings — #10 for the home Irish and #4 for the visiting Sooners — and winning streaks to their credit. The Sooners were two-TD favorites in fact. For the game, fans in attendance were treated to this fine illustration from well-known sports artist Larry Tisdale, which was used on several college football covers in 1952:
This contest was notable for being the first Notre Dame football game to be televised. It was an exciting game all around, with the underdog Irish moving ahead in the fourth quarter for an upset 27-21 victory.
Notre Dame lost just once more in 1952 en route to a 7-2-1 record and a #3 AP ranking, while the Sooners rebounded to finish the season 8-1-1 and claim a Big 7 Conference championship.