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BYU officially adds Notre Dame to 2022 football schedule

The Cougars and Fighting Irish are closing out a three-game series that started back in 2012

(Michael Conroy | AP) Notre Dame running back George Atkinson III is hit by BYU defensive back Daniel Sorensen as he dives in for a 20-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

BYU’s athletic director will no longer have to deal with what has become a constant question over the past few years: When will BYU play Notre Dame again?

The answer is Oct. 8, 2022.

On Tuesday, BYU announced both teams have agreed to play at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next year.

“This has been a process, with a lot of back-and-forth, to be able to find a return game in this series that would work for both sides. We feel very good about playing this game in Las Vegas, where Cougar Nation always shows out, and look forward to an incredible matchup and atmosphere,” said Tom Holmoe, BYU director of athletics.

Originally, the schools had agreed to a six-game series shortly after BYU left the Mountain West Conference for independence. The deal then changed into a 2-for-1 deal.

The Cougars played two games at Notre Dame, in 2012 and 2013, but was left waiting nearly a decade for the Fighting Irish to keep up their end of the bargain and come to Provo to close the series.

It seems part of what made the deal finally happen was finding a suitable neutral site.

BYU opened the 2021 season at Allegiant Stadium against Arizona at the start of the month and saw success in the NFL stadium. Nearly 80% of the sold-out crowd was made up of BYU fans.

With the deal finalized with Notre Dame, BYU now has a full, 12-game 2022 schedule.

BYU is set to play road games at Oregon, Stanford, Boise State, South Florida and Liberty, while hosting Arkansas, Baylor, Utah State, East Carolina, Wyoming and Dixie State in LaVell Edwards Stadium.