USC's Lincoln Riley blames Notre Dame for ending rivalry series

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USC coach Lincoln Riley said Notre Dame failed to follow through on its pledge to play the Trojans "anytime, anywhere," in rapidly rejecting his school's proposal to continue the historic series in 2026 and 2027.

Riley, speaking Monday to reporters in San Antonio ahead of the team's appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl, placed the blame for the halt to the rivalry at Notre Dame's feet. The fourth-year Trojans coach said the schools spent months working to find a way to continue the series, which began in 1926 and has been played 96 times since then (other than 2020, the teams have played annually since 1946).

Riley said USC athletic director Jen…