Pete Bevacqua calls CFP snub a “gut punch” for Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua spoke publicly Tuesday about the College Football Playoff committee leaving the Fighting Irish out of this year’s bracket, calling the decision a “gut punch” for the program.
Bevacqua opened his comments by saying Miami deserved a spot in the playoff. He added that Alabama, Texas and Vanderbilt were also worthy teams. However, he said it was “mind-boggling” that Notre Dame’s season ended at Stanford.
Bevacqua pointed to Week 11 as a key example of his frustration. At that time, Notre Dame was ranked No. 10 and Miami was No. 18. Both teams went on to win out. Despite that, Notre Dame stayed ranked ahead of Miami the rest of the way before being left out of the final playoff field.
Bevacqua said there is still no clear explanation for why Notre Dame was passed over at the end. He also stressed Notre Dame’s value to the ACC, noting that ACC stadiums sell out about 23 percent of the time on average, but that number jumps to about 90% when Notre Dame visits.
As for Notre Dame’s relationship with the ACC, Bevacqua said it has been damaged but can still be repaired.
“It’s not about the universities. It’s not about Miami. I’ve texted back-and-forth with Dan Radakovich. I sent him a text message last night saying ‘so happy you guys made it’ – but what we were really disappointed in and surprised by was how the ACC conference really went on a social media campaign, in my opinion, attacking our football program,” Bevacqua said.
Bevacqua also made it clear that keeping head football coach Marcus Freeman is a top priority. He said Notre Dame will do what it takes to keep Freeman among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
“I would never say we wouldn’t match anything when it comes to Marcus,” Bevacqua said.
Markus Burton injury update:
Men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry also spoke and provided an update on star guard Markus Burton. Shrewsberry said Burton suffered a left ankle injury Friday at TCU and will have surgery Tuesday. There is no timetable for his return.
Shrewsberry said the injury is especially heartbreaking because Burton dealt with a serious injury last season as well.
“My job is to be a coach of Notre Dame’s basketball team but like that’s one of my sons right that’s family right there. I think it’s a rallying cry for all of us to help him especially now early on right after his surgery to get him mentally back,” Shrewsberry said.
Burton, averaging 18.5 points per game this season, will be out when Notre Dame hosts Idaho on Wednesday at Purcell Pavilion.