Notre Dame vs. Penn State live updates, score: Follow the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl

On By Littum

The first contestant in the national title game will be decided Thursday night in Miami when Notre Dame and Penn State square off in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The other semifinal with Ohio State vs. Texas follows on Friday night in Arlington, Texas.

Date: January 9 | Time: 7:30 PM ET | TV: ESPN | Line: Penn State -1 | Total: 45.5

This is a matchup of two proud football programs that have been a long time from experiencing ultimate glory. Both teams have multiple national titles to their name, but neither has won one since the 1980s. One of those teams is two wins away from ending that drought, and it starts Thursday night.

Both teams have won two playoff games convincingly to get here, and both have relied on strong defense and the running game along the way. The Fighting Irish have been particularly reliant on the running game, led by the legs of QB Riley Leonard. His counterpart, Penn State QB Drew Allar, has better passing numbers in the playoffs after throwing for three touchdowns against Boise State in the quarterfinals.

Will the passing game carry the Nittany Lions, especially with all-around weapon TE Tyler Warren, or will Notre Dame’s defense shut it down like it did in the first two rounds of the playoffs? And how will Penn State contain Leonard and the Notre Dame pitching game? These are the questions that could determine who advances to the championship game.

Live14 updates

  • PSU beats it

    The Penn State drive rushes out there and they send it to Notre Dame.

    The Irish will have their first possession on their own 10-yard line.

  • Penn State on the march

    The Nits capitalized on an Irish blitz with a screen pass that Nicholas Singleton took 23 yards and over midfield.

  • We’re off to the Orange Bowl!

    Penn State will have the ball first after Notre Dame was punted.

  • Urban Meyer booed in pregame

  • College Football Playoff players to watch, key to Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Penn State

    GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) watches in action during the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) watches in action during the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Robin Alam/Getty Images)

  • Should Notre Dame be at a conference?

    Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks during a press conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Dania Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks during a press conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Dania Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

  • Is the Deep South’s college football reign over?

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 17: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during Day 1 of the 2023 SEC Media Days at the Grand Hyatt Nashville on July 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 17: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during Day 1 of the 2023 SEC Media Days at the Grand Hyatt Nashville on July 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

  • As the NIL era ends, college sports are on the brink of seismic change. How will schools adapt to the emerging industry?

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)Click on the image above to read the story. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

  • Michigan QB Davis Warren tore right ACL in ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama

    TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Michigan Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren (16) looks for a receiver from the pocket during the ReliaQuest Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Michigan Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren (16) looks for a receiver from the pocket during the ReliaQuest Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Peter Joneleit/Getty Images)

  • College football QB transfer tracker: Heralded FCS quarterback chooses Iowa

    BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA - DECEMBER 07: Mark Gronowski #11 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits throws a pass in the first half against the Montana Grizzlies at Dana J Dykhouse Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo by Tommy Martino/University of Montana/Getty Images)BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA - DECEMBER 07: Mark Gronowski #11 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits throws a pass in the first half against the Montana Grizzlies at Dana J Dykhouse Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo by Tommy Martino/University of Montana/Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (Tommy Martino/University of Montana)

  • Players like Notre Dame and Ohio State in the CFP semifinals

    Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates with teammate Armel Mukam (88) during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates with teammate Armel Mukam (88) during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Georgia QB Carson Beck enters the NCAA transfer portal

    ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 07: Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck (15) prepares to pass during the SEC Championship football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns on December 7, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 07: Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck (15) prepares to pass during the SEC Championship football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns on December 7, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (David J. Griffin/Getty Images)

  • Good evening folks and welcome to our live tracker for tonight’s CFP semifinal game between Notre Dame and Penn State!

    We still have about an hour before kickoff at the Orange Bowl, so here’s some reading material to catch up on everything that’s happened in college football this week.