Football Game Preview: Loyola Cubs vs. Notre Dame (SO) Knights + How To Watch

For the first time this season, Loyola will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will square off against the Notre Dame (SO) Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Last Friday, a win is a win, as they say, even a pretty close 9-3 win over St. Francis. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Cubs.

Holden Smyser

Total Tackles

09/19/25 vs St. Francis	10
09/12/25 @ Hamilton	8
09/05/25 vs Mount Miguel	10
08/29/25 @ Millikan	9
08/22/25 vs Cathedral	6

Loyola didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off four passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Gage Santos, Malique Pollard, Holden Smyser, and Will Mack picked up one apiece. Smyser is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least six every time he's taken the field this season. Kane Casani was another major factor on D, forcing one fumble and making ten total tackles (5.0 for loss).

Meanwhile, you're bound to get a positive result if you outscore your opponent every quarter and that's exactly how it played out for Notre Dame (SO) on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that they blew Culver City out of the water with a 57-14 final score. That 43 point margin sets a new team best for the Knights this season.

Loyola better keep an eye on Wyatt Brown. He was instrumental in Notre Dame (SO)'s win, throwing for 343 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 84 yards and one score on only five carries. Brown got the majority of those rushing yards when he took off on a run that went for an incredible 60 yards. Noel Washington was in the mix too, providing Notre Dame (SO) with two TDs.

On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Notre Dame (SO)'s defense and their four sacks. That dominant display was truly a team effort as four different players picked up one apiece. They got some further help from Preston Webb: he forced one fumble and made 11 total tackles (1.0 for loss).

Loyola now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Notre Dame (SO), they now also have a winning record of 3-2.

Loyola and Notre Dame (SO) were almost perfectly matched up in their previous matchup back in November of 2024, but Loyola suffered an agonizing 35-34 defeat. Can the Cubs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.