Two storied college football programs travel to Miami with a spot in the national championship game on the line.

No. 6 Penn State and No. 7 Notre Dame will renew their rivalry for the first time in nearly 20 years when they face off in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9. The game is a semifinal duel of the College Football Playoff. and the winner awaits the winner of the Cotton Bowl between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas in the CFP National Championship Game in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 20.

James Franklin’s Nittany Lions secured their spot in the Orange Bowl by cruising past No. 11 SMU in the opening round of the College Football Playoff and defeating No. 3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. On the other hand, Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish defeated No. 10 Indiana in the first round before knocking off No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Let’s take a look back at the Penn State-Notre Dame football rivalry ahead of the 2025 Orange Bowl:

How many times have Penn State and Notre Dame played each other?

Penn State and Notre Dame have played each other 19 times.

Penn State vs. Notre Dame record

Penn State and Notre Dame were completely evenly matched, with both teams maintaining a record of 9-9-1 in head-to-head matches.

When was the first football game between Penn State and Notre Dame?

Their first meeting took place on November 7, 1913, with the Fighting Irish winning 14-7 in State College, Pennsylvania.

When was the last football game between Penn State and Notre Dame?

The last meeting between the two teams at the start of the 2007 season ended in a two-legged tie.

Penn State avenged its 2006 loss in South Bend, Indiana, winning 31-10 on September 8, 2007 at Beaver Stadium.

Have Penn State and Notre Dame played each other every season?

The two programs played each other every season from 1981 to 1992. Since the end of their annual duel, they have only met twice (2006 and 2007).

Have Penn State and Notre Dame ever played each other in a bowl game?

Penn State and Notre Dame have met in a bowl game in their history, with Notre Dame winning the 1976 Gator Bowl by a score of 20-9.