From Bowl Game Tensions to Recruiting Wars, Penn State and Notre Dame Are Rekindling One of College Football’s Forgotten Rivalries
The rivalry between Penn State and Notre Dame has long been one buried beneath decades of college football history, eclipsed by more contemporary showdowns and conference conflicts. Yet in recent seasons, and especially in the last year, this once-simmering grudge match has begun to reemerge in unexpected and increasingly compelling ways. What started as a subtle exchange in the aftermath of the Orange Bowl has transformed into a tug-of-war for elite recruits, with each program asserting its identity and tradition while looking to shape the next era of college football dominance. The dormant duel, once mostly remembered by older generations, is being rekindled—and the flames are once again beginning to burn hot.
It was after the 2023 Orange Bowl when the nation caught its first taste of the renewed tension between these two blue-bloods. Penn State’s head coach, James Franklin, made a pointed remark that some interpreted as a jab at Notre Dame’s head man Marcus Freeman, referencing “a certain hairline” in a postgame media session that quickly went viral. Whether it was a poorly veiled joke or a misinterpreted jab didn’t matter—college football fans latched on. It became a symbol, a spark, a rallying cry for those who remembered when this rivalry was anything but dormant. The media ran with it, social channels lit up, and suddenly, the idea of Penn State vs. Notre Dame wasn’t some faded chapter in the sport’s history—it was trending.
That small moment of postgame snark reopened a floodgate of emotions, memories, and debates between two programs that, at their core, mirror each other in tradition, intensity, and recruiting strategy. Penn State, the powerhouse of the Northeast, often positions itself as the guardian of blue-collar toughness and defensive discipline. Notre Dame, with its national brand, academic prestige, and independent identity, has always leaned into a blend of history, innovation, and national appeal. For years, their paths diverged, especially after the teams stopped playing annually in 1992. Since then, encounters have been rare and mostly unremarkable. But the shared geography, recruiting territory, and philosophical approach to building teams have never gone away. And now, those old tensions are colliding in a modern landscape built around NIL, social media, and high-stakes recruiting battles.
Recent cycles have only intensified the drama. Notre Dame managed to steal several top targets out of Pennsylvania and Maryland—players who, in previous decades, would have been presumed locks for Penn State. One particular name, four-star defensive back Ivan Taylor, stung deeply. Taylor, the son of former NFL standout Ike Taylor, chose the Fighting Irish over the Nittany Lions in a decision that drew widespread attention. Penn State had been in the hunt for over a year. They brought him to State College, showed him the facilities, gave him the red carpet treatment. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Notre Dame’s pitch, combined with Freeman’s growing reputation as a player’s coach, won out.
It wasn’t just Taylor, though. Linebacker prospect Bradley Shaw, another Mid-Atlantic recruit who had long been in Penn State’s orbit, also picked the Irish. The dominoes kept falling, and the frustration within Penn State’s fanbase grew louder. Message boards lit up with accusations of tampering, NIL manipulation, and everything in between. Yet, from the Notre Dame perspective, the resurgence was viewed not as theft, but as validation. For years, the Irish had battled national powers like Ohio State, Alabama, and USC. Now, by consistently edging Penn State in key regional battles, they were reclaiming dominance in a territory that was once a shared recruiting goldmine.
Penn State, of course, has had its victories too. They landed elite defensive end Mylachi Williams, holding off a late Notre Dame surge. They also secured the commitment of safety Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, who many assumed would eventually flip to the Irish. These wins were critical in keeping the rivalry from tilting completely toward South Bend. Each commitment now carries more than just the usual fanfare—it carries symbolic weight. Every victory on the recruiting trail is a notch in this rapidly reawakening rivalry.
More intriguing is the cultural contrast that defines this duel. Notre Dame thrives on its mystique, the Golden Dome, Touchdown Jesus, and a legacy that spans generations. They wear tradition on their sleeves, play independently, and boast academic excellence as a recruiting hook. Penn State, meanwhile, leans into a different kind of legacy. Beaver Stadium’s whiteout is college football’s most intimidating atmosphere, and the “Linebacker U” brand is something every defensive player dreams of being part of. Both programs lean heavily into history and honor, yet they interpret and market that legacy in starkly different ways.
Coaching personalities have also played a central role in this revived conflict. James Franklin is charismatic, engaging, and never one to shy away from bold statements. He’s a master recruiter and tireless promoter of his program. But with that comes scrutiny. When Penn State loses a battle to Notre Dame, it’s often framed as Franklin being outcoached or outpitched. Marcus Freeman, on the other hand, has cultivated a calm, confident demeanor. He’s viewed as sharp, measured, and deeply committed to player development. The contrast in their public personas—Franklin’s fire vs. Freeman’s cool—adds another layer to the narrative. Every head-to-head battle, whether on the trail or on the field, now carries that subtext.
Even beyond the recruiting scope, there’s a mutual awareness that their fates are increasingly intertwined. Both programs sit just outside the SEC-Big Ten power bubble, yet both are desperate to break into the elite tier occupied by the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State. With conference realignment changing the landscape almost yearly, Notre Dame remains the biggest independent domino yet to fall. If they were ever to join a league, the Big Ten would be the most logical fit—and that would make Penn State a permanent rival. The chessboard is shifting, and as both programs position themselves for whatever comes next, they seem destined to collide again.
Their few recent on-field meetings haven’t been headline-makers, but the anticipation for a potential future matchup is mounting. There are whispers that the schools have discussed reigniting a regular series. With the College Football Playoff expanding and strength of schedule becoming even more important, both sides see value in a marquee non-conference showdown. A Notre Dame-Penn State game in the current era wouldn’t just be nostalgic—it would be significant. It would pull massive ratings, fill stadiums, and inject a level of drama that few other non-conference games could match.
There’s also an element of territorial pride that cannot be overstated. Both fanbases believe they own the Mid-Atlantic. Both claim the moral high ground in how they run their programs. Both value education, player development, and building teams the “right way.” So when a kid from Harrisburg or Baltimore picks one school over the other, it’s not just a personal choice—it’s a referendum. Who’s winning the region? Who’s building the better culture? Who’s returning to national prominence faster?
College football thrives on rivalries—both old and new. While some are defined by proximity or conference alignment, others are built on recruiting, prestige, and tradition. Penn State and Notre Dame represent the latter. They may not play each other every year, but when they collide—whether in living rooms, recruiting camps, or the occasional bowl game—it matters. It echoes. It revives decades-old conversations. And now, thanks to a few snide remarks, a handful of recruiting flips, and a rapidly changing landscape, it appears that this long-dormant rivalry is on its way back.
In an era when some rivalries fade due to conference shifts or lopsided dominance, this one is heating up again for all the right reasons. The storylines are rich, the stakes are high, and the momentum is undeniable. Whether it manifests in another classic on the field or remains a cold war of words and recruiting wins, one thing is clear: Penn State vs. Notre Dame is back in the national conversation—and neither side is backing down.
