Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame vs USC: Weather Delays, Game Updates from South Bend

Severe weather appears headed straight for South Bend in the middle of Saturday night's battle with rival USC
Nick Shepkowski|
Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader waves a flag after scoring on the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium.
Sep 20, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader waves a flag after scoring on the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

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Notre Dame (4-2) and USC (5-1) battle Saturday night in the latest meeting between old rivals, which may end up being the final between the two as well. The game always brings fireworks, and this year is no different. Except perhaps, instead of fireworks, legit thunderstorms appear to be taking aim at South Bend during the game.

Update as of 7:00 p.m. ET - Kickoff Set for Regular Time!

In perhaps the biggest upset of the day in college football, Notre Dame has announced that tonight's game is set to kickoff on time. No word yet on if there will be a delay or not, but the good news is this one will get started as scheduled from South Bend.

Update as of 6:00 p.m. ET - Gates Are Open, Stands Are Not

No word has been given yet regarding the start time of the game as severe weather remains in the area, but a window will soon open in South Bend, before more rain is expected throughout the night. Meanwhile, the strom continues to roll at Notre Dame Stadium:

Update as of 5:12 p.m. ET - More Cancellations Before Kickoff

Due to the severe weather approaching South Bend, more cancellations of gameday traditions are taking place. The band concert at Bond Hall will not take place, nor will Trumpets at the Dome. However, the marching band's step off to the stadium is still slated to go before kickoff.

Meanwhile, the rain starts to pour on Notre Dame's campus.

Update as of 4:52 p.m. ET - No Player Walk Before Game

Due to the severe weather, one of the special gameday traditions at Notre Dame will not take place as the Victory March (player walk to stadium) has been cancelled.

Update as of 4:35 p.m. ET - Seek Shelter

Lightning is quickly approaching the South Bend area roughly three hours before kickoff. The University of Notre Dame has sent out an alert to anyone on campus to get indoors or to get inside their vehicles. While the rain Saturday night seems inevitable, hopefully the thunderstorm portion of the storm can enter and exit the area fairly quickly.

Latest Weather Forecast for Notre Dame vs USC:

As of 3:35 p.m. ET, the AccuWeather forecast calls for thunderstorms to soon be starting in the South Bend area. More thunderstorms are expected in the 7:00 p.m. ET window, with kickoff set for moments after 7:30 Saturday night.

With the thunderstorms portion of the evening expected to be earlier before your basic rainshowers move through the area the rest of the night, could the game actually begin under a delay? That way instead of starting before pausing shortly after, the efforts to warm both teams up aren't for not, and essentially pushed to the side due to nearby lightning.

Stay at Notre Dame On SI for Latest Details

We'll continue to keep you posted at Notre Dame On SI throughout the evening. We'll have all the latest regarding the weather, any potential delays that may come, and the impact it plays on the showdown between bitter old rivals.

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

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