One home in Loyalsock Township is going to be a house divided tomorrow as the Penn State-Notre Dame matchup in the Orange Bowl pits the team loyalties of husband and wife, Ron and Deb Derr, against each other.

Both long-time fans of their respective teams, the Derrs will be anxiously watching the game, which brings the two teams together for the 20th time. Both teams have nine wins and nine losses in previous matchups, with the other ending in a tie.

Ron’s Penn State fandom started in his childhood, at least 50 years ago.

“For me, I think it was just being a Pennsylvania team close to home, able to go to the games, and at that time, was very reasonable, back in the 70s and 60s,” said Ron, who is originally from Lewisburg.

“It was a small stadium and that sort of thing, so it was just something to do on a Saturday afternoon,” he added.

For Deb, her journey to becoming a loyal Notre Dame fan began in the most unlikely place-the bleachers at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium during their game with Notre Dame.

“My dad and his two brothers had season tickets for the home games. My one uncle, Dave, couldn’t make it. He was sick, and my mom said, ‘Why don’t you take Debbie to a game?’ I had never been to one. I know that I was supposed to like Penn State, I just couldn’t do it,” Deb shared.

Her father, who passed away in 2021, and her uncles were originally from the Lewistown area, which is nearer to State College and may have influenced their loyalty to the team.

“I had fun. But even while I was watching that game, I was secretly hoping that the other team, which was Notre Dame, would win because I liked their uniforms,” Deb admitted.

When Deb saw the Notre Dame team members cry at their one-point loss, she joined in.

“It all began with a bunch of cute guys wearing good uniforms,” she said.

The Derrs were at the game in 2007 when Penn State and Notre Dame last played.

“We spent a fortune on tickets. The first or second play, Notre Dame made a touchdown, and I was so happy. After that, it was all over for Notre Dame,” Deb said.

The final score for that game was Penn State, 31-10.

“I got to say yippee one time and that was it. I wanted to leave during half time, but he wanted to stay,” Deb said.

“People around you aren’t friendly when they know that you’re wearing Notre Dame stuff over on the Penn State side,” she said.

Ron reminded her that there was a White Out at that game, so Deb’s blue and gold would have been obvious.

“I wasn’t even embarrassed. People said, ‘Do you really like them?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, I do.’ I don’t know if it was kind of to spite all my uncles and my dad, but I really, really liked them,” she said.

“Before my dad passed, I even had him watching Notre Dame and rooting for them, as long as they weren’t playing Penn State,” she added.

During the regular college football season, the Derrs head to separate rooms to watch their chosen team play because the games are usually on at the same time but on different television stations.

“Notre Dame — more people like them so they’re on the good stations,” Deb said, throwing a little shade.

The couple’s rivalry is friendly and the only thing riding on the outcome of tomorrow’s game is bragging rights until the next time the two teams play, Ron said.

Deb admitted that she was nervous about the game.

“Notre Dame has won 12 straight games, so we’re hoping for lucky 13,” she said.

Although Penn State is ranked No. 6 and Notre Dame is ranked No. 7, the Fighting Irish are a 2 1/2-point favorite to win the game — sorry, Nittany Lions fans.

With the big game getting closer, Deb tried to gauge how many people in the area like Notre Dame as opposed to Penn State by doing an informal survey on social media.

“She didn’t get too many backing her,” Ron said.

“I got a lot of likes, but that doesn’t mean they like Notre Dame,” she said.

“Only about four came on and said, ‘Yay, Notre Dame is going to win,'” she said. “All the rest said ‘We are.'”

Plans are for a quiet night at home with Ron’s homemade lemon pepper wings to watch the game.

“We’ll be watching it alone. That way if Debbie cries at the end, it won’t be as bad,” Ron said.

Rivalry aside, Ron said that he hopes it’s a good game.

“Both teams are deserving of where they’re at. I mean, Notre Dame definitely did come far this season. At first, I didn’t think they were gonna do as well as they did, but they came together as a team and really did well.

“Penn State too, you know, they matured over the year, and I think both teams are definitely deserving of being in these bowl games, so it’s gonna be a good night, no matter what,” he said.