Notre Dame Stuns Penn State, Social Media Explodes as They Head to National Championship

Notre Dame fans near and far, old and young, celebrated Notre Dame's historic win over Penn State

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrate after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

One week after Notre Dame earned its biggest win in over 30 years, Marcus Freeman led Fighting Irish picked up an even bigger victory, beating Penn State 27-24 and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

As you would probably expect, social media erupted with celebration as Notre Dame earned the impressive, come-from-behind victory. Check out some of the best tweets from Notre Dame fans, players, and those in attendance during the improbable Orange Bowl victory.

Happy Birthday Marcus Freeman!

It’s just after midnight.

Marcus Freeman has just turned 39 years old. And his Notre Dame Fighting Irish are going to the national championship game.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) January 10, 2025

Christian Gray's Heroics for Notre Dame Again

The hero again, Christian Gray pic.twitter.com/mpxIFoZhEq

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) January 10, 2025

Notre Dame Football: Team Glory for 2024

Speechless…Team Glory says it all✊🏾☘️ pic.twitter.com/VZ6hLtgn10

— Deland McCullough (@coachdmc) January 10, 2025

Steve Angeli Love

Notre Dame doesn't win without this man.

Shoutout to Steve Angeli.

Photo: Chad Weaver/@BGInews pic.twitter.com/RSnt31xTW1

— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) January 10, 2025

What a Second Half for Notre Dame

What a game, what a 2nd half. What resilience. Congrats ND☘️☘️

— Mike Golic (@golic) January 10, 2025

Notre Dame Football: Headed to the Natty!

FLIP IT. 🍊@NDFootball is heading to the #NationalChampionship#GoIrish | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/zKqvmdSHqT

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 10, 2025

Mitch Jeter: Mr. January!

Steve Angeli said Notre Dame players are calling kicker Mitch Jeter “Mr. January.”

Jeter is 7 of 8 on field goal attempts in the College Football Playoff, including tonight’s 41-yard game winner in the Orange Bowl. pic.twitter.com/PhZYXJmAp6

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 10, 2025

Marcus Freeman Celebrates with Family

Marcus Freeman made sure to find his family after the game and before the alma mater. Plenty tears of joy. https://t.co/HBDwEzAOFT pic.twitter.com/IeMId37jwq

— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) January 10, 2025

Christian Gray for Notre Dame

A Christian for Notre Dame

Who would’ve thunk it

— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) January 10, 2025

Brian Kelly Gets Roasted Yet Again

“I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship,” Brian Kelly said in April 2022 after leaving Notre Dame for LSU.

Notre Dame will play for a national championship in 11 days. LSU has not made the CFP since Kelly took over.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 10, 2025

Notre Dame Football: Champions Overcome!

Notre Dame lost the turnover margin and had to replace two starters on the offensive line in the middle of the game but still found a way to beat Penn State 27-24.

— Sean Stires (@SeanStires) January 10, 2025

Former Notre Dame Great Julian Love

☘️‼️

— Julian Love (@_jlove20) January 10, 2025

Notre Dame Football 2024: RESOLVE

The level of resolve this team has is immeasurable. Unreal!

National title game - here come the Irish! ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

— Nick Shepkowski (@NickShepkowski) January 10, 2025

Notre Dame Family Celebrates Win

Headed to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Game baby!! So tough! Congrats @NDFootball ! Congrats @Marcus_Freeman1 ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

— Niele Ivey (@IrishCoachIvey) January 10, 2025

Marcus Freeman - Chicago Bears Great

Congrats to Chicago Bears legend Marcus Freeman pic.twitter.com/ZzUl4f81hn

— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) January 10, 2025

Hard to Imagine This Team Lost to Northern Illinois

Imagine telling someone after this game that Notre Dame would be in the National Championship pic.twitter.com/DPUmwo6tpe

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 10, 2025

We Are...Headed to the National Championship

Final: Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 10, 2025

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