Penn State vs Notre Dame: A Rivalry Renewed in Orange Bowl

Great news for fans of two teams with huge national and NEPA followings – Penn State and Notre Dame advanced to face each other in the College Football Playoff semi-final in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday January 9, at 7:30 p.m. This will be the 20th time these legendary programs play with the all-time record tied up at 9-9-1.

The bad news for Nittany Lion and Fighting Irish fans is that someone is going to lose with the winner grabbing not only bragging rights for who knows how many years, but also the right to play the winner of the Ohio State-Texas semi-final in the Cotton Bowl in Texas for the National Championship on January 20. The loss will sting for years, an opportunity squandered – against a national and regional rival will add an extra level of bitterness for one of these rabid fan bases.

• The first time these teams played was in 1913 with the Irish winning 14-7 in State College
• The last meeting was in 2007 with Penn State winning in a White-Out Beaver Stadium 31-10
• They met in one other bowl – the Gator Bowl in 1976. There Dan Devine’s Irish knocked off Joe Paterno’s Lions 20-9

So the table is set and the stakes are high. The Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions. Golden Dome v Mt. Nittany. Touchdown Jesus meets Happy Valley. The Luck of the Irish and Linebacker U. All to be settled – on the field – Thursday January 9 at 7:30 p.m. Two great programs – two coaches, James Franklin and Marcus Freeman, looking to prove that they can lead his team to a National Championship.

There’s nothing like grabbing a good cigar and a smooth drink and watching a game we know will be discussed for years among fans of each. Maybe grab that special stick – maybe an Opus X – if you’re team wins. It will be one to savor!