USC, Notre Dame Renew Rivalry with Changes
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The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is back on.
Notre Dame and USC have reached a deal to resume the rivalry series, but not in the next few seasons.
The storied rivalry returns in 2030, reports Pete Sampson of The Athletic.
What’s new about the ND-USC rivalry
While the rivalry is returning, it’s not set in stone.
The schools agreed to a four-year deal, as well as some changes to the time of year the game is played.
It seems, at least in 2030 and 2031, the game will likely kick off the season for both teams.
Traditionally, the game had been played in mid-October when in South Bend and at the end of the season when played in LA.
“USC got its wish to play the game earlier in the season: The series will return on Aug. 31, 2030, in Los Angeles, and then Notre Dame will host in Week 1 on Aug. 30, 2031,” Sampson wrote.
The Trojans had expressed concern about adding another trip to the Midwest given the numerous lengthy road trips they already must take due to playing in the Big Ten.
“USC’s historic rivalry with Notre Dame holds a special place in the history of college football, and we are happy to resume a series that means so much to the entire Trojan Family,” USC athletic director Jen Cohen said in a statement to The Athletic. “It remains important for us to play this game early in the season, as it allows us to schedule competitively with our Big Ten peers and takes into account the health and best interests of our student-athletes and program.”
The resumption of the rivalry likely brings to an end the war of words between Notre Dame and USC coaches and officials in the media.
As recently as last week, Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley was criticizing Notre Dame for allowing the game to go unplayed.
“We want to play the game. I want to play the game,” he said at Big Ten Media Days. “We would be playing the game had some things came true that were said. Hopefully we get to that point.”
Notre Dame officials had also expressed support for playing the game.
“Do we want to play USC in the future? 100%, yeah,” Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua told Sampson of The Athletic earlier this year. “We think that’s great for Notre Dame. We think it’s great for USC, we think it is great for college football. And at this point, that’s really all I can say about that.”
It sounds like all sides were able to come together to make a deal. Now, fans just have to wait until 2030.
The post USC, Notre Dame Renew Rivalry with Changes appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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