SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame fans who aren't alumni or season ticket holders have a chance to buy tickets to the season-opening football game against Nevada on Sept. 5.

More than 2,000 tickets for the game go on sale Wednesday. The sale is the result of Nevada returning a portion of its allotment.

University spokesman John Heisler said it's fairly common for schools to return a small number of tickets shortly before a game, but it's unusual for tickets to be returned so far in advance. Usually tickets to football games are only available to season ticket holders and to alumni through a lottery.

Notre Dame has sold out every game played at South Bend since 1966 except against Air Force on Thanksgiving Day 1973.