Lincoln Riley calls out Notre Dame for refusing to honor pledge to play USC

"We both worked for months to try to find a solution. Notre Dame was very vocal about the fact that they would play us anytime, anywhere. Jen Cohen, our AD, went back to Notre Dame roughly a couple of weeks ago with a scenario and a proposal that would extend the series for the next two years. We took Notre Dame at their word that they would play us anytime, anywhere."

"The Times reported last week that the Playoff selection earlier this month proved to be a turning point for USC's administration in talks with Notre Dame. The realization that the Irish - by virtue of a side agreement with the College Football Playoff committee that hands them a bid if ranked in the top 12 - would have gotten into the field over Miami especially gave USC pause. That's when Cohen returned to Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua with an offer for the rivals to face off in the season opener. Notre Dame instead scheduled Brigham Young to fill that vacancy over the next two seasons."

USC and Notre Dame's century-old rivalry has been paused after Notre Dame rejected USC's proposal to move the 2026 game to the season opener. USC's athletic director proposed a two-year extension to preserve the series. Notre Dame scheduled Brigham Young to fill the vacancy for the next two seasons. USC administrators grew concerned after the College Football Playoff selection underscored a side agreement that could allow Notre Dame a playoff bid if ranked in the top 12, which influenced USC's stance and prompted the rejected scheduling proposal.

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