Florida cancels Notre Dame series; Irish then add Washington

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has canceled a home-and-home series with Notre Dame scheduled for the 2031-32 seasons.

The Gators used a clause in the contract to get out without financial penalty. The decision led to the Fighting Irish announcing Tuesday a home-and-home series with Washington to be played in 2031 and '34.

Florida signed the deal with Notre Dame in 2021 while the Southeastern Conference was playing eight league games. The Gators had been slated to play in South Bend, Indiana, on Nov. 15, 2031. Notre Dame would have traveled to Gainesville the following year.

But with the SEC moving to nine-game conference slates beginning this season, Florida had a difficult time justifying…