If you’re checking your phone or refreshing a tab to find out what is the score of Notre Dame, the answer depends entirely on which court or field you’re looking at today. It’s mid-January 2026, and while the football pads are mostly tucked away in lockers for the winter, the basketball season is in the heat of ACC play.
Honestly, the most recent big result for the Irish happened just yesterday. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team traveled to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech. It wasn't exactly the result fans were hoping for. The final score was 89-76 in favor of the Hokies.
The Latest Score: Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (Jan 17)
The Irish struggled to keep up with a hot-shooting Virginia Tech squad that basically lived at the free-throw line. It was one of those games where every time Notre Dame tried to make a run, the Hokies had an answer. Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry both dropped 20-plus points for Virginia Tech, which is a tough hill to climb on the road.
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For the Irish, freshman Brady Koehler was a bright spot. He came off the bench and nailed five three-pointers, finishing with a career-high 17 points. But individual performances aside, the team fell to 10-8 on the season and 1-4 in the ACC. It's a bit of a rough patch right now, but that’s life in one of the toughest basketball conferences in the country.
Recent Results for Men’s Basketball
- Jan 17: Lost to Virginia Tech, 76-89
- Jan 13: Lost to Miami, 69-81
- Upcoming: At North Carolina (Wednesday, Jan 21)
What About the Football Score?
If you were looking for a football score, you’ve likely missed the conclusion of a pretty wild season. The 2025-2026 campaign for the Fighting Irish was a rollercoaster. They finished the regular season with a strong 10-2 record, which included some absolutely dominant wins like a 70-7 blowout of Syracuse and a 49-20 win over Stanford to close things out in November.
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The real headline, though, was their postseason run. Notre Dame secured a spot in the College Football Playoff and faced off against Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2026.
In a game that felt like a defensive heavyweight bout for three quarters, Marcus Freeman’s squad pulled off a massive upset. The Notre Dame vs. Georgia score was 23-10, with the Irish defense completely shutting down the Bulldogs in the second half. Kicker Mitch Jeter was clutch, and the defense forced a critical fumble late in the second quarter that turned the momentum for good.
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Why the Score Matters Right Now
Knowing what is the score of Notre Dame isn't just about the numbers on the board; it’s about the direction of the programs. In football, that Sugar Bowl win signaled that the Irish are officially back in the national title conversation heading into the 2026 season. They didn't just win; they bullied a SEC powerhouse.
In basketball, the scores are a bit more concerning. Micah Shrewsberry is still in the building phase, and while the 76-89 loss to Virginia Tech hurts, the development of young players like Koehler and Sir Mohammed (who had 12 points yesterday) shows there’s a foundation being laid.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The football team is already making moves for next year. They just landed Tionne Gray, a massive 336-pound defensive tackle from the transfer portal, to help shore up the line. Plus, CJ Carr is expected to take a huge leap as a sophomore quarterback.
If you're tracking the basketball team, keep an eye on the Wednesday matchup against North Carolina. It's going to be a massive test to see if they can snap this four-game losing streak.
Actionable Next Steps for Irish Fans
- Check the Midweek Tip-off: Set an alert for the Notre Dame vs. UNC game this Wednesday. If they can tighten up the perimeter defense that failed them against Virginia Tech, they might keep it close.
- Monitor the Portal: Football recruiting never sleeps. Watch the defensive line additions, as the "score" of the offseason is often measured in how many four-star transfers Marcus Freeman can reel in.
- Watch the Replays: If you missed the Sugar Bowl win, find the highlights of that 23-10 victory over Georgia. It was arguably the best defensive performance by an Irish team in a decade.