Notre Dame vs Penn State LIVE: 2025 CFP Semifinal Updates, News, Highlights

The 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals begin Thursday night with a star-studded matchup between two historic programs in the Orange Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions, with a spot in the national championship on the line.

Expect a lot of rushing in this one as both teams do their damage on the ground offensively. Penn State is led by their two-headed running back attack of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singletonwho this year became the first Penn State duo in program history to both rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season.

On the other hand, the Irish are led back by their workhorse Jeremiah Lovewho also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark this season, as well as the dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonardwho enters this Orange Bowl matchup second on the team with over 800 yards in 2024. After a 16-14 loss to Illinois back in September, the Irish have won 12 straight games.

This is the 20th^th time in program history, the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions have met, with the series tied at 9-9-1. The last time these two teams met back in 2007, Penn State outshot Notre Dame 31-10, holding Notre Dame to zero rushing yards in that game.

Don’t miss a second of the action from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL with real-time updates from a huge CFB Playoff semifinal game below.