Notre Dame Football: 2012 Kickoff Times Announced

Notre Dame released what may turn out to be the most significant press release of the offseason on Thursday. It included the stunning announcement that freshman cornerback Tee Shepard has left school and that USC transfer Amir Carlisle would be immediately eligible.

Also of note in the release was the traditional spring announcement of kickoff times for Notre Dame's home games.

Notre Dame played its first night game in South Bend in 21 years last season, a 31-17 loss to USC. The venture back into prime-time football proved to be a success, and Notre Dame announced Thursday that it would again play a night game in 2012, on September 22 against Michigan.

The Irish and Wolverines played in the first night game ever at Michigan Stadium last season, a 35-31 classic won by the Wolverines. The atmosphere in Ann Arbor was unlike any other in this storied rivalry, and Notre Dame hopes for a similar environment in South Bend in September.

Along with the six games in South Bend, Notre Dame announced the kickoff time for its neutral-site game against Miami (FL) at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Blue-Gold Game, scheduled for April 21, will air on NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) for the second consecutive year.

Kickoff times for road games will be announced either in the summer or 12 days prior to the game. The game with Navy in Ireland will be televised by CBS, with a morning ET kickoff expected. Road games at Michigan State, Oklahoma and USC are all strong candidates for prime-time slots.

Here is the kickoff time and television information announced by the school:

April 21 - Blue-Gold Game, 1:30 (NBC Sports Network)

September 8 - Purdue, 3:30 (NBC)

September 22 - Michigan, 7:30 (NBC)

October 6 - Miami (FL) (Soldier Field), 7:30 (NBC)

October 13 - Stanford, 3:30 (NBC)

October 20 - BYU, 3:30 (NBC)

November 3 - Pittsburgh, 3:30 (NBC)

November 17 - Wake Forest, 3:30 (NBC)