Did you know there are about 100 midshipmen who are also Notre Dame students?

Students and faculty on campus have strong ties to both Notre Dame and the Naval Academy.

They are now living examples of the reason why Notre Dame and Navy have a special relationship-- going back decades.

The tradition of the two teams playing goes back to 1927. That relationship strengthened during the during the 1940’s.

The Navy established the NROTC Program at Notre Dame in 1941. That's because the University's enrollment dropped to its lowest level since the Great Depression. At the time, college-aged men were off fighting in World War II.

The NROTC Program brought an influx of people and money to Notre Dame.

Thanks to the Navy, the University was able to keep its doors open. This gesture solidified their bond.

Now, Captain Mark Prokopius is the Commanding Officer for the Naval ROTC Unit at Notre Dame. He is also a Professor of Naval Science. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1990 and he's been in the Navy for 27 years.

"I always get asked, you know you've been in the navy for 27 years. He went to Notre Dame. Who do you root for? And I always answer I only have one tattoo and it's a block ND on the back of my calf,” said Prokopius.

Three FA/18 Hornets will fly over Notre Dame Stadium during the National Anthem Saturday.

Adm. Bill Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations and the senior ranking pilot in the U.S. Navy, will join Captain Prokopius to give a Notre Dame football helmet signed by Irish coach Brian Kelly on to the Navy pilots who conducted the flyover.

Kick-off for Saturday's game at Notre Dame is set for 3:30 p.m. Find out what events are happening on campus HERE.