The Updated Notre Dame Bowl Game Record: Breaking The Curse And The New Year’s Six Redemption (2025)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program has officially updated its all-time bowl game record to 22 wins and 21 losses (22-21) in 43 total appearances, as of January 2025. This milestone reflects a dramatic, recent shift in the team's postseason narrative, one that has finally exorcised the decades-long "major bowl curse" that plagued the program since the mid-1990s. The current record is a testament to the team's resilience under the new College Football Playoff (CFP) format, which saw the Fighting Irish secure multiple high-profile victories in the 2024-2025 postseason.

For years, the conversation around Notre Dame's bowl history was dominated by a painful streak of losses in major bowl games, including the BCS and New Year's Six. However, the 2024-2025 season marked a monumental turning point, with the Irish not only making the expanded 12-team CFP but also achieving their first major bowl victory in over three decades, fundamentally rewriting their postseason legacy and injecting new hope into the program's future under Coach Marcus Freeman.

Key Figures, Eras, and Milestones in Notre Dame Bowl History

The history of Notre Dame's postseason play is a tale of two distinct eras: the early dominance under legendary coaches who used bowl wins to secure National Championships, and the modern era of struggle and eventual redemption. Understanding the record requires acknowledging the key figures and games that shaped this legacy.

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• Knute Rockne (1918–1930): The father of modern Notre Dame football, Rockne led the Irish to their first bowl game appearance. His team won the 1925 Rose Bowl against Stanford, a victory that helped secure the program's first consensus National Championship.
• Frank Leahy (1941–1953): Leahy's tenure saw Notre Dame's bowl appearances become less frequent due to the school's then-policy on postseason play, but his teams were dominant, contributing significantly to the overall win percentage.
• Ara Parseghian (1964–1974): Parseghian's era brought several crucial bowl wins, including the 1973 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, which clinched the National Championship, and the 1975 Orange Bowl win against the Crimson Tide.
• Lou Holtz (1986–1996): Holtz delivered the program's last National Championship with a win in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl over West Virginia. His era is also noted for the last major bowl victory before the long drought: the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic win against Texas A&M.
• Brian Kelly (2010–2021): Kelly's era saw Notre Dame frequently reach major bowls (BCS/CFP), but it coincided with the program's most painful major bowl losing streak, including losses in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game and two CFP Semifinals.
• Marcus Freeman (2022–Present): Freeman's tenure is defined by the recent, historic postseason wins. His teams ended the long losing streak in major bowls, securing multiple New Year's Six-level victories in the expanded CFP format in the 2024-2025 season.

The All-Time Notre Dame Bowl Game Record (As of January 2025)

The Fighting Irish’s bowl record has seen a significant positive swing, moving from a sub-.500 record to a winning one thanks to their recent postseason success. This update is critical for fans and analysts tracking the program’s trajectory.

Total Bowl Appearances: 43

All-Time Bowl Record (W-L): 22-21

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Winning Percentage: .512

The 20-21 record that stood for a significant period has finally been surpassed, marking a new chapter in Notre Dame's postseason history. The most notable aspect of this record is the recent performance in the most prestigious games, which had been a major point of criticism for decades. Prior to the recent upturn, the program had dropped 15 of its last 21 bowl games, highlighting the magnitude of the recent turnaround.

The struggle in major bowl games, specifically the BCS/New Year's Six era, was a dark cloud over the program. Before the 2024-2025 season, Notre Dame was 0-10 in its last ten major bowl appearances, a streak that had become a national talking point. This notorious streak, which dated back to the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic, has now been emphatically broken.

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The Historic 2024-2025 College Football Playoff Run

The 2024-2025 expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) provided the stage for the Fighting Irish to rewrite their postseason narrative. Their performance in this format was nothing short of historic, delivering the victories needed to push their all-time record into the positive column and, more importantly, end the major bowl losing streak that had lasted over 30 years.

The Streak-Breaking Victories

The Irish’s run in the CFP saw them secure three major victories before falling in the National Championship game. These wins are arguably the most significant postseason achievements for the program in the 21st century.

• CFP First Round: Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 (December 20, 2024)
  As a high seed, Notre Dame hosted the first-round game, securing a solid victory against a Big Ten opponent to advance to the quarterfinals.
• Sugar Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal): Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10
  This was the monumental, streak-breaking victory. By defeating the Georgia Bulldogs, the Irish secured their first major (New Year's Six) bowl win since the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic. This win officially ended the decade-long losing streak in major bowl games and validated the direction of the program under Coach Marcus Freeman.
• Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24
  The Irish continued their impressive run by winning a thrilling semifinal game against the Penn State Nittany Lions. This victory propelled Notre Dame to the National Championship game for the first time in the CFP era, showcasing their ability to win under immense pressure.

The National Championship Appearance

While the Irish ultimately fell short in the final game, their appearance cemented the 2024-2025 season as a success and a turning point for the program.

• CFP National Championship: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
  In a hard-fought battle in Atlanta, Georgia, the Fighting Irish were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite the loss, reaching the National Championship game provided invaluable experience and exposure, demonstrating that Notre Dame is again a consistent contender on the biggest stage of college football.

This recent run of postseason success has completely altered the narrative surrounding Notre Dame football, shifting the focus from historical struggles to a renewed capacity for winning on the biggest stage. The updated all-time record of 22-21 is more than just a number; it represents the long-awaited redemption of a storied program.