ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan will play its first night game at the Big House in 2011 against Notre Dame.

New athletic director Dave Brandon made the announcement Thursday.

Brandon expects it to be an unprecedented atmosphere at Michigan Stadium, adding a new chapter to the rivalry between two of college football's most storied programs.

The Wolverines have played the Fighting Irish at night three times — losing in 1982, 1988 and 1990 by an average of four points, all at Notre Dame Stadium.

Michigan leads 21-15-1 in the all-time series that started in 1887.

Notre Dame and Michigan are scheduled to play each year through 2017, then take two years off to play other teams, before resuming the rivalry in 2020 through 2031.