Penn State and Notre Dame, two of the nation’s most storied programs, collide in the first meeting between the schools in 14 years, when they meet at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday afternoon in a nationally televised game (NBC). Kick-off is at 3:30 pm EDT. The Nittany Lions opened the season by grabbing a quick 17-0 lead en route to a 34-16 win over Akron on Saturday. The No.2 Fighting Irish rallied from a 10-0 first half deficit to win at Georgia Tech 14-10.
The Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish are meeting for the 18th time, with the series tied 8-8-1. The teams are squaring off for the first time since Nov.14, 1992, when Notre Dame rallied for a last minute 17-16 win in South Bend. The Lions and Irish first met in 1913 in the only post-season meeting between the two schools. The teams launched a 12-game series in 1981, with the Nittany Lions going 8-4 against ND from 1981-92.
The coaches of both teams’ careers have taken a different path prior to this game. Penn State’s Joe Paterno has started his 57th year on the Penn State staff and is second all time in career wins among NCAA Division 1A coaches. Joe Paterno is second in all-time Division 1-A victories, with a record of 355-117-3 and is in his 41st year as head coach. Paterno earned his 324th win in his 421st career game during his 36th season as head coach. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden moved past Paterno for the lead among major college coaches in 2003. Paterno is among the top 9 coaches in NCAA history with 300 wins (five in 1A) and reached the 300-win plateau faster than any coach. Paterno’s record against Notre Dame is 8-5. Charlie Weiss on the other hand has been a career assistant coach until taking over the reins at Notre Dame in 2005. Weis finished his first year as Notre Dame coach with a record of 10-3.
The Nitany Lions and Fighting Irish rank among the nation’s most tradition-laden and successful programs. Penn State and Notre Dame are among the top 10 in all-time victories and winning percentage and are two of only 10 division 1A programs with at least 700 all-time wins. The Nittany Lions are seventh in victories with 772 and 10th in winning percentages at 68.7, having compiled a 772-339-42 record in their 120th season. Notre Dame is second in victories with 812 and in winning percentage at 74.3, earning an 812-266-42 mark in its 118th season.
Look for Notre Dame to control the tempo in this game with its explosive offense. The Irish should cover the 8.0 point chalk.
