The rivalry between USC and Notre Dame isn’t just another date on the college football calendar - it’s one of the sport’s most storied traditions. So when news broke that the series is officially on pause until at least 2030, the reaction wasn’t just disappointment. It was outrage - and not just from fans in South Bend.
Plenty of USC faithful, including some of the program’s most iconic former players, are voicing their frustration. And none louder than Keyshawn Johnson.
The former All-American wide receiver didn’t mince words in a video posted to social media, calling out USC’s leadership for what he sees as a betrayal of Trojan tradition. “This is ridiculous!
Just say we scared. I’ll accept that at least it’s the truth,” Johnson said, visibly frustrated.
His message was clear: this isn’t just about a game, it’s about identity.
Johnson went on to criticize the direction of USC’s athletic department, questioning whether the current leadership truly understands what it means to be a Trojan. “We got people in there that are not Trojans, that don't know anything about being a Trojan, running our athletic department,” he said. “We got a head coach that knows nothing about being a Trojan.”
That head coach, of course, is Lincoln Riley, and the athletic director in question is Jennifer Cohen. Both have been under the microscope since the program confirmed the rivalry with Notre Dame is off the schedule for the foreseeable future.
The frustration from Johnson and other former players isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about legacy.
The USC-Notre Dame series has been played annually since 1946 - with the exception of the COVID-affected 2020 season - and has featured some of the most iconic moments and matchups in college football history. It’s a game that transcends geography, conference affiliation, and even current playoff implications.
For many, it’s the heartbeat of USC’s football identity.
And that’s exactly why this decision is hitting so hard. Former players who built their careers - and USC’s national brand - on the back of games like this one are now watching a cornerstone of the program’s tradition get shelved.
The decision to pause the series has sparked plenty of debate about the direction USC is heading as it transitions into the Big Ten. Some believe the move is strategic, designed to lighten a future schedule that’s already packed with conference heavyweights. But for those who wore the cardinal and gold, that reasoning doesn’t hold much weight.
And it’s not just USC alumni who are disappointed. Notre Dame has been vocal about the importance of the rivalry, with both sides previously expressing a desire to keep the series alive. But despite that public sentiment, the game is off - at least for the next several years.
The backlash isn’t likely to reverse the decision, but it does underscore just how much this rivalry means to those who’ve lived it. For players like Johnson, who helped build USC’s tradition on the field, this isn’t just about one game disappearing from the schedule. It’s about watching a piece of Trojan football history - and identity - get pushed aside.
The next scheduled meeting between USC and Notre Dame won’t happen until 2030. That’s a long wait for a rivalry that’s defined generations of college football. And for many in the Trojan community, it’s a wait that feels like a loss in itself.