This has been a great opportunity for us. Let's make no mistake about it. We were in a very difficult situation without games from the PAC 12, which we we love playing USC, we love the rivalry there with with them, as well as playing Stanford, and the Big 10 games.

The ACC obviously came through for us in a very difficult time and we're indebted to them for that.

But we're going to continue as as an independent after this year and we just feel as though as a university and what we've been able to get from that, us alone, in terms of what works for us at Notre Dame, it may not work for others, but what works for us is this opportunity to play USC, to play Navy, to play Stanford, to play the Big 10 schools, and to play some of the ACC schools as well.

So, we're grateful for this opportunity this year, but we look forward to our independence too.”