You remember the tension. That feeling in your chest when two massive brands meet on a neutral field with everything on the line? It’s basically what college football is built on.
The last time we saw a notre dame penn state football score that actually shifted the landscape of the sport was the 2025 Orange Bowl. January 9, 2025. Hard Rock Stadium was loud. Like, ear-splitting loud.
Notre Dame walked away with a 27-24 victory. It wasn't pretty for three quarters, honestly. But the ending? Pure chaos.
The 2025 Orange Bowl Breakdown
Most people expected a defensive slog. Instead, we got a game of runs that felt like a heavyweight fight where both guys were gassed by the twelfth round. Penn State jumped out early. Ryan Barker knocked through a 20-yard field goal, and Nicholas Singleton—who was a total monster all night—found the end zone on a 5-yard rush.
10-0, Nittany Lions.
The Irish looked stuck. Riley Leonard was struggling to find a rhythm, and the Penn State front was living in the backfield. But right before the half, Mitch Jeter nailed a 41-yarder. That three-point swing was huge. It gave Notre Dame a heartbeat going into the locker room.
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That Wild Fourth Quarter
The second half was a different story. Riley Leonard started using his legs. He scored on a 3-yard run to tie it up at 10. Then, Jeremiyah Love plunged in from two yards out. Suddenly, it was 17-10 Irish.
You’ve seen this before with James Franklin teams, though. They don't just go away. Singleton scored twice more in the fourth quarter. Two 7-yard touchdowns. Just like that, Penn State was back on top 24-17 with less than eight minutes to go.
Then Leonard found Jaden Greathouse. A 54-yard bomb. The stadium erupted. 24-24.
The final dagger? Mitch Jeter again. 41 yards. Seven seconds left on the clock. 27-24. Game over.
Why This Specific Notre Dame Penn State Football Score Matters
If you look at the history, these two don't play nearly enough. Before that 2025 Playoff semifinal, they hadn't touched a football field together since 2007. That’s a nearly 20-year gap for two programs that are essentially neighbors in the grand scheme of college football geography.
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Back in 2007, the score was 31-10 in favor of Penn State. That was the "White Out" game that basically defined what Beaver Stadium atmosphere is today. But the 2025 matchup was different because of the stakes. It was a CFP Semifinal. The winner went to the National Championship. The loser went home.
Historical Context of the Matchup
The all-time series is now sitting at 10-9-1 in favor of Notre Dame.
- The 1925 Tie: A 0-0 stalemate that people still talk about in history books.
- The Snow Bowl (1992): Rick Mirer to Reggie Brooks for the two-point conversion. 17-16 Irish.
- The 1980s Peak: They played every year from 1981 to 1992. It was peak Independent football.
Honestly, the fact that they don't play every year is a crime. The 2025 Orange Bowl proved that the "notre dame penn state football score" is something the committee should be looking for every single season.
Key Takeaways from the Recent Matchup
Nicholas Singleton was the best player on the field for long stretches. He finished with 117 total yards and 3 touchdowns. If Penn State wins that game, he’s the MVP. Period.
On the other side, Riley Leonard proved why Marcus Freeman brought him in. He wasn't perfect—15 for 23 for 223 yards—but he made the plays when the season was on the line. The 54-yard pass to Greathouse will live in Irish highlight reels for a decade.
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What's Next for the Rivalry?
As of right now, there aren't any scheduled regular-season games between these two in 2026 or 2027. Notre Dame is busy with a schedule that includes Wisconsin at Lambeau Field and home games against Michigan State. Penn State is grinding through a Big Ten schedule that now includes USC and Oregon as regular fixtures.
The reality? We’re probably waiting for the next expanded playoff bracket to see them go at it again.
If you’re tracking the notre dame penn state football score for betting or just historical bragging rights, keep that 27-24 number burned in your brain. It was the moment the Irish finally broke through the semifinal wall under Freeman.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into the stats, you'll want to check out the official box scores from the 2025 Orange Bowl. Pay close attention to the time of possession—it was almost dead even (30:04 to 29:56). That tells you everything about how close this rivalry truly is.
Check the 2026 schedules for both teams to see if a bowl rematch is brewing. Given how both programs are recruiting, another top-10 clash isn't just possible—it’s likely.