NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame football team, which finished the year at 6-6, will not be going to a bowl game this year.

The university announced its decision late Friday afternoon.
“After meetings again today involving our coaching staff as well as the leadership group representing our football team, we have made the decision to remove ourselves from consideration for any postseason bowl game this year,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said. “Notre Dame institutionally always has been a strong advocate of the bowl system, and we sincerely appreciate the bowls and individuals representing them who reached out to us. However, the unique circumstances surrounding our program at the current time prevent us from making the commitment required to compete in a bowl game.

“If the landscape had been different, we would have been thrilled to take part – and we certainly look forward to being part of the bowl system in the years to come,” he added.

One of the bowls that appeared to be interested in having the Fighting Irish was the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit (formerly the Motor City Bowl).