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{{Short description|American football team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox NCAA football school {{Infobox NCAA football school
| TeamName = Penn State Nittany Lions football | TeamName = Penn State Nittany Lions football
| CurrentSeason = 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football team | CurrentSeason = 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
| Image = Penn State Nittany Lions.svg | Image = Penn_State_wordmark.svg
| ImageSize = 200 | ImageSize = 200
| FirstYear = ]; {{Years or months ago|1887}}
| Helmet =
| AthleticDirector = ]
| ImageSize2 =
| HeadCoachDisplay = ] | HeadCoach = ]
| HeadCoachYear = 11th
| HeadCoachLink =
| HCWins = 101<!-- As of games through 12/31/24 -->
| HeadCoachYear = 1st
| HCLosses = 41<!-- As of games through 12/31/24 -->
| HCWins = 0
| Stadium = ]
| HCLosses = 0
| StadCapacity = 106,572
| HCTies = 0
| StadSurface = ]
| Stadium = Beaver Stadium
| Location = ]
| StadCapacity = 106,572
| NCAAdivision = I FBS
| StadSurface = Grass
| Conference = ]
| Location = State College, Pennsylvania
| ConfDivision = East (2014–2023)
| ConferenceDisplay = Big Ten
| PastAffiliations = ] (1887–1890, 1892–1992) <br> ] (1891)
| ConferenceLink = Big Ten Conference
| WebsiteName = gopsusports.com
| ConfDivision = Leaders
| WebsiteURL = https://gopsusports.com/sports/football
| FirstYear = 1887
| ATWins = 921
| AthlDirectorDisp = David M. Joyner
| ATLosses = 403
| AthlDirectorLink = David M. Joyner
| ATTies = 37
| WebsiteName = Penn State Football
| BowlWins = 32
| WebsiteURL = http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/psu-m-footbl-body.html
| ATWins = 716 | BowlLosses = 20
| ATLosses = 361 | BowlTies = 2
| PlayoffApps = 1 (])
| ATTies = 43
| Playoffs = 2–0
| ATPercentage = .6584
| NatlTitles = 2 (], ])
| BowlWins = 21
| UnNatlTitles = 5 (], ], ], ], ])
| BowlLosses = 15
| ConfTitles = 5 (] ], Big Ten ], ], ], ])
| BowlTies = 2
| DivTitles = 2 (], ])
| NatlTitles = 2
| Heismans = ] – 1973
| ConfTitles = 1 (Big Ten since 1993)
| Heismans = 1 | AllAmericans = 44
| uniform = ]
| AllAmericans = 39
| FightSong = ]
| uniform = File:BigTen-Uniform-PSU.png
| MascotDisplay = ]
| Color1 =Navy Blue
| MarchingBand = ]
| Color1Hex = 1C3C6B
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| Color2 = White
| PagFreeValue = ]
| Color2Hex = FFFFFF
| Rivalries =] (])<br>] (])<br>] (])<br>] (])<ref>{{cite web|title=The history of Gophers football trophy games|url=https://mndaily.com/278353/sports/the-history-of-gophers-football-trophy-games/|website=mndaily.com|date=August 4, 2023|access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref><br>] (])<br>] (])<br>] (])<br>] (])
| FightSong = ]
| '''Motto''' = Success With Honor
| MascotDisplay = Nittany Lion
| MascotLink = Nittany Lion
| MarchingBand = ]
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| PagFreeValue = ]
| PagFreeLabel = Rivals
| PagFreeValue = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]
}} }}


The '''] football''' team represents the ] in the ] ] as a member of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2947988|title=Storied programs dominate Ladder 119's top rungs|publisher=]|date=July 27, 2007|accessdate=December 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07297/827943-143.stm|title=Penn State visit from No. 1|first=Ron|last=Musselman|publisher=]|date=October 27, 2007|accessdate=December 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-10-02-storied-programs_x.htm|title=Storied programs revive tradition|first=Jack|last=Carey|work=USA Today|date=October 3, 2005|accessdate=December 9, 2007}}</ref> The '''Penn State Nittany Lions''' team represents the ] in ]. The Nittany Lions compete in the ] ] as a member of the ], which they joined in 1993 after playing as an Independent from 1892 to 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2947988|title=Storied programs dominate Ladder 119's top rungs|publisher=]|date=July 27, 2007 |access-date=December 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07297/827943-143.stm|title=Penn State visit from No. 1|first=Ron|last=Musselman|work=]|date=October 27, 2007|access-date=December 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-10-02-storied-programs_x.htm|title=Storied programs revive tradition|first=Jack|last=Carey|work=USA Today|date=October 3, 2005|access-date=December 9, 2007}}</ref>


Established in 1887, the Nittany Lions have achieved numerous on-field successes, including two consensus ] in ] and ]; four Big Ten Conference Championships in 1994, 2005, 2008, and 2016; 13 undefeated seasons in 1887, 1894, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1920, 1921, 1947, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994; and 53 appearances in ], with an all-time post-season bowl record of 32–20–2. The team ranks seventh among ] college football programs in all-time total wins.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://social.quintevents.com/blog-0/bid/204365/The-Top-10-Winningest-College-Football-Teams-and-Coaches-of-All-Time|title=Winningest college football programs and coaches of all-time|first=Jaclyn|last=Harris|work=Quintevents|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref>
] coach ] was Penn State's head coach for nearly 46 seasons. Paterno had accrued 409 wins, more than any other ] football coach, prior to having 111 of those wins vacated by the NCAA.<ref>http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48283426/ns/sports-college_football/</ref> Paterno was fired in 2011 for failing to protect children from ].<ref name="nyt-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|title=Penn State’s Part|date=July 12, 2012|accessdate=July 13, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/opinion/penn-states-part-in-the-sandusky-sexual-abuse-scandal.html}}</ref><ref name="usa-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Kevin|last2=Marklein|first2=Mary Beth|title=Freeh report blasts culture of Penn State|date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-12/louis-freeh-report-penn-state-jerry-sandusky/56181956/1|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/697dbG9uh|archivedate=July 13, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="psu-child-abuse">{{cite press release|title=REMARKS OF LOUIS FREEH IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLICATION OF REPORT REGARDING THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY|date=July 12, 2012|publisher=Kekst and Company|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/99901024/Freeh-Report-Release|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/697bWvS4B|archivedate=July 13, 2012|deadurl=no|quote=Although concern to treat the child abuser humanely was expressly stated, no such sentiments were ever expressed by them for Sandusky’s victims.}}</ref> In response, the ] fined Penn State $60 million, vacated all of Paterno's wins between 1998–2011 and banned the team from ]s for four years.<ref name=USATodayNCAA>{{cite web|title=NCAA hands out severe punishment for Penn State|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2012-07-23/ncaa-penn-state-punishment-sanctions/56427630/1|last=Prisbell|first=Eric|publisher=USA Today|date=July 22, 2012}}</ref>


The Nittany Lions play their home games at ], located on-campus in ].
] was hired to replace Paterno.<ref name="hired">{{cite web | url = http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7434520/penn-state-nittany-lions-officially-hires-bill-obrien-new-coach | title = Penn State hires Bill O'Brien as coach |publisher=ESPN | date = January 6, 2011 | accessdate =January 6, 2011}}</ref> He was introduced as Penn State’s 15th head football coach at a press conference on January 7, 2012.<ref name="intropc">{{cite web | url = http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html | title = Penn State Selects Bill O'Brien To Lead Football Program | publisher = Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics | date = January 7, 2012}}</ref>


==History==
==Current coaching staff==
{{See also|List of Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Name !! Year !! Alma mater
|-
| ''']/]'''|| ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html | title = Penn State Selects Bill O'Brien To Lead Football Program | publisher = Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics | date = January 7, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1992)
|-
| ''']''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/roof_ted00.html|title=Ted Roof|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1985)
|-
| ''']''' || ] || 2012 || ] (1980)
|-
| ''']s/]''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/london_charles00.html|title=Charles London|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1995)
|-
| ''']/Assistant Head Coach''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hixon_stan00.html|title=Stan Hixon|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1978)
|-
| ''']s''' || John Strollo<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/strollo_john00.html|title=John Strollo|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1976)
|-
| ''']''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mcwhorter_mac00.html|title=Mac McWhorter|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1974)
|-
| ''']''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_larry00.html|title=Larry Johnson|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=November 5, 2007}}</ref> || 1999 || ] (1973)
|-
| ''']s''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vanderlinden_ron00.html|title=Ron Vanderlinden|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=November 5, 2007}}</ref> || 2000 || ] (1977)
|-
| ''']/]''' || ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/butler_john00.html|title=John Butler|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|accessdate=January 21, 2012}}</ref> || 2012 || ] (1995)
|-
| '''Strength and Conditioning''' || Craig Fitzgerald || 2012 || ] (1997)
|}


===Early history (1887–1949)===
==Traditions==
]
===Nittanyville===
The first recorded game in Penn State football history occurred on November 12, 1881, when Penn State traveled to ] to play ], known until 1886 as the University at Lewisburg. Penn State won 9–0, which was nine goals to none. At the time, this was really a game of "American rugby". The father of American football, Walter Camp, did not develop the "scrimmage", the "first down" and the "gridiron" (yard markings) until 1882. Although this game was reported in two State College newspapers and the ''Mirror'' (University at Lewisburg campus newspaper), Bucknell denies that this game ever happened. Penn State did not field teams from 1882 through 1886. Penn State played its first season in 1887,<ref name="nationalchamps.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/database/pennstate_database.htm|title=Penn State Football History Database|work=nationalchamps.net}}</ref> but had no head coach for their first five years, from 1887 to 1891.<ref name="nationalchamps.net"/> The teams played its home games on the ] lawn on campus in ]. They compiled a 12–8–1 record in these seasons, playing as an independent from 1887 to 1890.
"Nittanyville" is the name attributed to the student tradition of camping out in front of Beaver Stadium prior to a home football game. The tradition was established during the 2005 football season, when students began setting up tents and "camping" in front of Beaver Stadium one week before the game with rival school ] on October 8.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Paternoville|url=http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/paternoville/about.html|accessdate=Oct 10, 2011}}</ref> The students camped in front of the stadium in order to hold their positions in line for front-row seats. Nittanyville has often been referred to as "Paternoville," in honor of the disgraced head coach ]. Football players, the ], and Joe Paterno himself frequented Paternoville, pepping up the students as game day drew near. Nittanyville is governed by the student-run Nittanyville Coordination Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paternoville Coordination Committee|url=http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/paternoville/index.html|accessdate=Oct 10, 2011}}</ref> On July 16th, 2012, Penn State student organizers announced that they will be renaming the "tent city" Nittanyville, opting to drop the reference to Joe Paterno in wake of the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Penn State student group: Tent city now will be Nittanyville|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2012-07-16/penn-state-paternoville-changing-name/56260388/1}}</ref>


In 1891, the ] (PIFA) was formed. It consisted of Bucknell (University at Lewisburg), Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Haverford, Penn State and Swarthmore. Lafayette and Lehigh were excluded because it was felt they would dominate the Association. Penn State won the championship with a 4–1–0 record. Bucknell's record was 3–1–1 (losing to Franklin & Marshall and tying Dickinson). The Association was dissolved prior to the 1892 season.<ref name="nationalchamps.net"/>
===Success with Honor===
Joe Paterno is widely known for his "grand experiment" in which he challenged his players to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. The June 2012 conviction of former assistant coach ] on multiple counts of child sexual abuse and the cover-up of the incidents as part of the Penn State sex abuse scandal marred the "Success with Honor" image.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/23/juror-sandusky-lacked-emotion-confirming-correct-verdict/#ixzz1zMjaPKhU</ref>


], Penn State's first head football coach]]
===Uniform===
] was the first head football coach at Penn State.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/george_hoskins_406994.html|title=George Hoskins Bio|publisher=]|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions}}</ref> He posted a 17–4–4 record in his from 1892 to 1895 as head coach, and his .760 winning percentage ranks highest in program history.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> His first team played its home game on the ] lawn on campus in ], before the 500-seat ] opened in 1893.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He was succeeded by ],{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} who posted a 12–14 (.462) record in three seasons, 1896–1898.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/samuel-newton-1.html|title=Samuel Newton|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> ] coached for only one year in 1899 and compiled a 4–6–1 record (.409).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/sam-boyle-1.html|title=Sam Boyle|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> ] coached the Nittany Lions for three seasons from 1900 to 1902, tallying a record of 16–12–1 (.569).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/pop-golden-1.html|title=Pop Golden|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> ] took over for the 1903 season and went 5–3 (.625).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/daniel-reed-1.html|title=Daniel Reed|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> ] coached the Nittany Lions for five seasons from 1904 to 1908, posting a 33–17–1 (.657) record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tom-fennell-1.html|title=Tom Fennell|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
The team is widely noted (along with teams like ] and ]) for their simple game uniforms. They only wear white pants, and the jerseys are simple blue for home games, and white for away games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fornelli|title=Penn State making uniform change|url=http://college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/27656427|accessdate=May 7, 2011}}</ref> The team is only allowed to wear simple black ] shoes with white calf socks for game days, though blue tights are permitted underneath the white socks for cold weather games. The helmet is white with a blue stripe down the center, and a blue on white "Penn State" sticker covers up the forehead helmet logo. No team logos, conference logos, numbers, or other stickers are permitted on the helmet, though two Nike logos are on facemask visors that some players choose to wear. Penn State has started to wear bowl decals only starting with ]. Before that, Penn State always declined the decals so they can play out of their simple game uniforms. The blue and white uniforms replaced pink and black ones in 1890.<ref>http://studentblog.worldcampus.psu.edu/index.php/2009/10/bleed-pink-and-black/</ref>


]
The uniforms became even simpler for the 2011 season, as the white cuffs and collars on the home jerseys and the corresponding blue cuffs and collars on the road jerseys were eliminated, leaving the jerseys solid blue and white, respectively.
In 1907 the school adopted the ] mascot, a ] named after nearby ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xrt83vNUhuUC&q=tom+fennell+penn+state&pg=PA15|title=Penn State Football|isbn=9781616731045|last1=Rappoport|first1=Ken|last2=Wilner|first2=Barry|date=August 15, 2009}}</ref>{{page needed|date=November 2015}} An early mascot was "Old Coaly", a mule that hauled stone for the original Old Main (completed in 1863 and demolished in 1929). ] took over the Nittany Lions as head coach for the ] and went undefeated at 5–0–2,<ref name="sports-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bill-hollenback-1.html|title=Bill Hollenback|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> but left for ] for 1910.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pennathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1700&ATCLID=810896|title=William M. Hollenback|work=PennAthletics.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320040357/http://www.pennathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1700&ATCLID=810896|archive-date=March 20, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Bill's older brother ] took over for the ] and went 5–2–1 (.688),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jack-hollenback-1.html|title=Jack Hollenback|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> but Bill returned to Penn State from 1911 to 1914.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Bill went 23–9–2 in his second tenure for a combined record of 28–9–4 (.732).<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> In 1911 and 1912, his teams went 8–0–1 and 8–0 and were awarded retroactive national championships by the National Championship Foundation which are recognized ].<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> Head coach ] brought a new form of defense, trying to go in-between or around offensive blockers rather than try to overpower them.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dick_harlow_406959.html|title=Dick Harlow Bio|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions|publisher=]}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=November 2015}} Harlow's Nittany Lions compiled a 20–8 (.714) record in his three seasons ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dick-harlow-1.html|title=Dick Harlow|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and was later inducted into the ] as a coach for his accomplishments.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>


] was Penn State's head football coach for ]<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hugo-bezdek-1.html|title=Hugo Bezdek|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> and was the Nittany Lions' first athletics director.<ref name="BezdekBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bezdek_hugo00.html|title=Hugo Bezdek Bio|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions|publisher=]|access-date=November 1, 2015}}</ref> Bezdek posted a 65–30–11 record,<ref name="ReferenceC"/> which included two undefeated seasons and a berth in the 1922 Rose Bowl, a game they lost.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Bezdek's Nittany Lions posted a losing record in only two of Bezdek's seasons, going 1–2–1 in 1918 and 3–5–1 in 1928.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Bezdek retired after the 1929 season and was inducted into the ] as a coach in 1954.<ref name="BezdekBio"/> ] returned to his alma mater and served as Penn State's head football coach for ].<ref name="Bob Higgins">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bob-higgins-1.html|title=Bob Higgins|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> He compiled a 91–57–11 overall record, which included 11 winning seasons and only five losing seasons.<ref name="Bob Higgins"/> Higgins' 1947 team tied ] in the Cotton Bowl.<ref name="HigginsBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bob_higgins_406960.html|title=Bob Higgins Bio|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions|publisher=]}}</ref> Higgins was forced to retire due to poor health following the 1948 season.<ref name="HigginsBio"/> He was inducted into the ] as a coach in 1954.<ref name="HigginsBio"/> For one season, ], also a Penn State alum, served as the Nittany Lions' head football coach.<ref name="Joe Bedenk">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joe-bedenk-1.html|title=Joe Bedenk|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> He was promoted from offensive line coach after the retirement of his predecessor.<ref name="PaternoBio"/> Bedenk posted a 5–4 record in his ],<ref name="Joe Bedenk"/> his lone season as head coach, before requesting to return to his previous post as offensive line coach.<ref name="PaternoBio"/>
===Captains===
Captains are chosen by the team, with the head coach's approval. Being named a captain is an honor almost always given to a senior, but there are some notable exceptions: Linebacker ] was named a captain in the beginning of Spring practice in 2008, the beginning of his 4th year with the team. However, he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice, redshirted in 2008, and returned as a captain again in 2009. The most recent example of a "true" junior being named was ], who was named a captain in both 2005 and 2006, his junior and senior years, respectively. The last time a junior was named captain before Posluszny was in 1968, when ] and ] were named captains during their junior years.


===Rip Engle era (1950–1965)===
===Linebacker U===
] came to Penn State from ].<ref name="EngleBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rip_engle_406692.html|title=Rip Engle Bio – Penn State Official Athletic Site|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions|publisher=]|date=November 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="si.com">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1074151/index.htm|title=The Sports Illustrated Vault |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Engle posted a 104–48–4 record during his 16-season tenure as head coach and developed a game known as ] as a way for his players to maintain fitness in the off-season.<ref name="EngleBio"/><ref name="si.com"/> Engle never had a losing season at Penn State, and his 5–5 final season was his only non-winning season.<ref name="Rip Engle">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/rip-engle-1.html|title=Rip Engle|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> His 1959 and 1960 Nittany Lions teams won the Liberty Bowl, while his 1961 and 1962 teams reached the Gator Bowl, winning the first and losing the second.<ref name="Rip Engle"/> Engle retired following the 1965 season and was inducted into the ] as a coach in 1973.<ref name="EngleBio"/>
Penn State is often referred to as Linebacker U for its reputation of producing outstanding linebackers. ] was a two time All American in 1968 and 1969, and played on two undefeated teams. Possibly the greatest linebacker in Penn State history, ] finished his career with 251 tackles, blocked two punts, and went on to play on two undefeated teams. Ham later went on to the NFL, playing for the ], and was inducted into the ]. ] was a terrifying linebacker during the 1973–1975 seasons, finishing with an astonishing 305 tackles in his junior and senior year. He was drafted by the ] and is a part of the All Jet team. ] was a two time All-American and defensive MVP of the 1987 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. He was drafted No. 1 by the Bills in 1987, named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to three straight Pro Bowls (1988–90). ] was an extremely physical linebacker who was all over the place. Arrington finished with 319 career tackles and 139 tackles for losses. He was later drafted 2nd overall by the ]. ] became the face of Penn State football from 2003–2006, and is the definition of Linebacker U. Posluszny won the ] in 2005 and the ] in 2005 and 2006. He finished with 372 tackles, and was drafted by the ]. ] finished his career as the all-time leading tackler for Penn State with 419 and was drafted by the ] while ] went on to capture MVP honors for the ] in the ] before moving on to the ] and leading the ] in sacks during the 2010 season. ] was the 20th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and led the AFC in sacks during the 2010 NFL season helping the Kansas City Chiefs reach the playoffs. Most recently ], graduating Penn State in 2009, is now starting inside linebacker for the ]. ], drafted by the ] in the third round of the 2010 draft, ranked 7th in the league in tackles in 2011, which is a difficult feat playing next to tackling machine ].<ref>http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13262/navorro-bowman</ref> Furthermore, Navorro Bowman was named an AP first team All-Pro for his 2011 campaign.Edward William O'Neil (born September 8, 1952) is an American football coach and former professional linebacker, who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). From 1970–1973, he played linebacker for coaching legend Joe Paterno at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain of the Nittany Lions' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.


===Joe Paterno era (1966–2011)===
==Child sex abuse scandal==
], head coach from 1966 to 2011]]
{{main|Penn State child sex abuse scandal}}
Penn State assistant ] was promoted to head coach following the retirement of Engle.<ref name="PaternoBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/paterno_joe00.html|title=Joe Paterno Bio|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions|publisher=]|date=November 1, 2015|access-date=November 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727175000/http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/paterno_joe00.html|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Paterno spent 46 seasons as the head football coach, the longest tenure of any head coach in the FBS, and 16 more seasons as an assistant, making his 62 total years coaching at Penn State the most of any coach at any school.<ref name="PaternoBio"/> Under Paterno, Penn State played as an Independent from 1966 to 1992,<ref name="PaternoBio"/> and he continued to coach them when they joined the Big Ten Conference in 1993–2011.<ref name="PaternoBio"/> He also served as Penn State's athletic director from 1980 to 1982. His final record is 409–136–3.<ref name="Joe Paterno">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joe-paterno-1.html|title=Joe Paterno|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> His teams won national championships in 1982 and 1986,<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> posted non-losing records in all seasons but five,<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> and appeared in 37 bowl games with 24 wins.<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> His teams also won the ] in 1968, 1969, 1973 and 2005;<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> the ] in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996;<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> the Sugar Bowl in 1982; and the Rose Bowl in 1994.<ref name="Joe Paterno"/> In June 1990,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigten.org/trads/big10-trads.html |title=Big Ten Conference Official Site |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807131011/http://www.bigten.org/trads/big10-trads.html |archive-date=August 7, 2008 }}</ref> Penn State's athletics program, after a century as a Division I-A independent, joined the ]. Beaver Stadium was expanded six times during Paterno's tenure. He was elected to the ] in 2006 and was a major reason why the longtime rule of waiting until retirement to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was changed to any coach over 75 years of age.<ref name="PaternoBio"/> Players including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] played collegiately for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1034154-ranking-the-5-best-players-to-ever-play-for-penn-state-coach-joe-paterno|title=Ranking the 10 Best Players to Ever Play for Penn State Coach Joe Paterno|author=Brian Jones|work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> He won numerous coaching and sportsman honors during his long run at Penn State.<ref name="Joe Paterno"/>


Paterno has the most wins in FBS football (409).
The Penn State child sex abuse scandal centered on former ] football assistant coach ]'s ] of at least eight underage boys on or near university property. After an extensive ] investigation, Sandusky was indicted on 52 counts of child molestation dating from 1994 to 2009, though the abuse may date as far back as the 1970s.<ref name=1970s>{{cite news|url=http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/exclusive_jerry_sandusky_inter.html |title=Exclusive: Jerry Sandusky interview prompts long-ago victims to contact lawyer |author=Sara Ganim |work=] |date=November 17, 2011 |accessdate=November 21, 2011}}</ref> Several high-level school officials were charged with ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Top Officials Step Down Amid Penn State Scandal|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/11/05/penn-state-ex-coach-others-charged-in-child-sex-case/|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=November 9, 2011|publisher=Fox News|date=November 7, 2011}}</ref> suspended, or dismissed for allegedly ] the incidents or failing to notify authorities. In the wake of the scandal, school president ] was forced to resign, and head football coach ] was fired late in the season, while Sandusky maintained his innocence.<ref name="admission">{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15730317 |title=Jerry Sandusky regrets showers with boys at Penn State |date=November 14, 2011 |accessdate=November 14, 2001 |publisher=BBC News Online }}</ref> The trial of Jerry Sandusky on 52 charges of sexual crimes against children started on June 11, 2012, at the ] in ].<ref name="Trial">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/sports/ncaafootball/jerry-sandusky-child-sexual-abuse-trial-begins.html?pagewanted=all |title=Sandusky's Trial Begins With Graphic Testimony|work=The New York Times|date=June 11, 2012|author=Belson, Ken|accessdate=June 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="contract">{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/jerry-sandusky-trial-hears-victim-testify-years-sex/story?id=16539947#.T9hI4NWlWTU|title=Jerry Sandusky Offered Victim 4 a Contract to Keep Seeing Him|publisher=ABC News|date=June 11, 2012|author1=Curry, Colleen|author2=Avila, Jim|accessdate=June 12, 2012}}</ref> Former ] director ], whose firm was hired by the Penn State Board of Trustees to conduct an independent investigation into the scandal, concluded, after interviewing over 400 people and reviewing over 3.5 million documents, that Paterno, Spanier, Curley and Schultz had deliberately conspired to conceal Sandusky's actions in order to protect publicity surrounding Penn State's vaunted football program.<ref name="nyt-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|title=Penn State’s Part|date=July 12, 2012|accessdate=July 13, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/opinion/penn-states-part-in-the-sandusky-sexual-abuse-scandal.html}}</ref><ref name="usa-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Kevin|last2=Marklein|first2=Mary Beth|title=Freeh report blasts culture of Penn State|date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-12/louis-freeh-report-penn-state-jerry-sandusky/56181956/1|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/697dbG9uh|archivedate=July 13, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="psu-child-abuse">{{cite press release|title=Remarks of Louis Freeh in Conjunction with Announcement of Report Regarding the Pennsylvania State University|date=July 12, 2012|publisher=Kekst and Company|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/99901024/Freeh-Report-Release|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/697bWvS4B|archivedate=July 13, 2012|deadurl=no|quote=Although concern to treat the child abuser humanely was expressly stated, no such sentiments were ever expressed by them for Sandusky’s victims.}}</ref> On July 23, 2012 ] announced that it had fined the Penn State football program $60 million, levied a four-year ban from bowl games and vacated all of the program's 112 wins from 1998 to 2011. They were also required to cut 10 scholarships for the 2011–2012 season and 20 scholarships for the following four years.<ref name=USATodayNCAA />


Following the Pennsylvania Attorney General's release of a grand jury summary of ] charges involving former assistant ],<ref name="CBS News">{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/paterno-fired-over-penn-st-child-abuse-scandal/ | work=CBS News|publisher=]|access-date=November 1, 2015|date=November 10, 2011|title=Paterno fired over Penn St. child abuse scandal}}</ref> the Penn State board of trustees fired Paterno in November 2011.<ref name= "CBS News"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24473295/penn-state-trustee-says-he-regrets-paterno-vote-resigns|title=Penn State trustee says he regrets Paterno vote, resigns|work=CBS Sports}}</ref> Defensive coordinator ] finished out the 2011 season as interim head coach after Paterno's ouster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7675730/penn-state-nittany-lions-trustees-cite-failure-leadership-joe-paterno-firing|title=Board explains firing of Joe Paterno|publisher=]|date=March 12, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref> In July 2012, the NCAA decided to vacate all of the team's wins from 1998 to 2011. Paterno's statue outside Beaver Stadium was also taken down.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/07/22/paterno-statue-removed.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp |work=CNN |title=Paterno statue removed at Penn St |date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825064452/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/07/22/paterno-statue-removed.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp |archive-date=August 25, 2012 }}</ref> The revised record dropped Paterno from first to twelfth on the all-time wins list,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998|title=Penn State sanctions: $60M, bowl ban|publisher=]|date=July 24, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref> but on January 16, 2015, the NCAA restored Paterno's vacated wins, and thus his record as the winningest FBS football coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/sports/ncaafootball/joe-paterno-penn-state-ncaa-wins-restored.html|title=The Rehabilitation of Joe Paterno, Back at No. 1 |work=]|access-date=November 1, 2015|first1=Jere|last1=Jongman|first2=Marc|last2=Tracy|date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> To many he is "The best Penn State head coach ever."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gameday News|url=https://www.gamedaynews.com/|access-date=2021-11-27|website=gamedaynews|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Notable seasons==
===Perfect seasons===
Penn State has had seven undefeated, untied seasons in its history since the program started in 1887:


===Bill O'Brien (2012–2013)===
:] • ] • ] • ] • ] • ] • ]
] offensive coordinator ] was hired as the 15th head football coach at Penn State, taking over the Nittany Lions football program in January 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/penn-state-hires-bill-obrien-as-football-coach/ | work=CBS News|title=Penn State hires Bill O'Brien as football coach|date=January 6, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2015|publisher=]}}</ref> Early in O'Brien's tenure, the NCAA sanctioned Penn State with a four-season postseason ban and a loss of 40 scholarships due to the child sex abuse scandal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-nittany-lions-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998|title=Penn State Nittany Lions hit with $60 million fine, 4-year bowl ban, wins dating to 1998|work=ESPN|date=July 23, 2012 }}</ref> O'Brien posted an 8–4 record in his first season as head coach of the Nittany Lions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-12/big-ten/2012-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-schedule.php|title=2012 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule|work=FBSchedules.com}}</ref>


O'Brien's 2013 Nittany Lions team posted a 7–5 record in the second of four years they were ineligible for the postseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-13/big-ten/2013-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-schedule.php|title=2013 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule|work=FBSchedules.com}}</ref> In January 2014, Bill O'Brien left Penn State to accept the head coaching position with the ]'s ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://nfl.si.com/2013/12/31/bill-obrien-to-be-named-texans-new-head-coach/|title=Bill O'Brien to be named Texans' new head coach|author=Chris Burke|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101072821/http://nfl.si.com/2013/12/31/bill-obrien-to-be-named-texans-new-head-coach/|archive-date=January 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===National championships===
Penn State has won two consensus ], both under Joe Paterno's tenure as coach.


===James Franklin era (2014–present)===
{| border="0" style="width:80%;"
]]]
|-
On January 11, 2014, ] head coach ] was hired as the 16th Penn State head football coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/|title=Penn State Nittany Lions Index - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> He is the first African American head football coach at Penn State.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/01/12/passionate-proud-franklin-named-first-permanent-black-head-football-coach-at-penn-state/|title=Passionate, proud Franklin named first permanent Black head football coach at Penn State|work=]|date=January 12, 2014|access-date=November 1, 2015|first1=Will|last1=Graves}}</ref> In Franklin's first year, the NCAA lifted Penn State's postseason ban and the Nittany Lions were bowl eligible. The Nittany Lions were named to the Pinstripe Bowl where they won against ] on December 27, 2014, at Yankee Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.pinstripebowl.com/index|title=The Official Site of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl|work=pinstripebowl.com}}</ref>
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" style="width:80%;" class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"|Year
! style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"|Coach
! style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"|Selector
! style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"|Record
! style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"|Bowl
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ] || ] || ], ] || 11–1 || Won ]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ] || ] || ], ] || 12–0 || Won ]
|- style="text-align:center;" class="sortbottom"
! colspan="3;" style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"| Total National Titles
! colspan="2;" style="background:#1C3C6B; color:#FFFFFF;"| '''2'''
|}
|}


To start off the 2015 season, Penn State lost to ] 27–10, its first loss to the Owls since 1941. The loss was followed by victories against ], ], ], ] and ]. The Nittany Lions then lost to Ohio State 38–10 in Columbus before winning, 31–30, at ]. The victory against ] brought the Nittany Lions to six wins, making them bowl eligible for the second year since the postseason ban was lifted. Penn State then shut out the ] 39–0 in the second to last home game of the 2015 season. They then lost to ] in Happy Valley 28–16 and to ] 55–16 at MSU. The win–loss record for Penn State in the 2015 regular season was 7–5, and 7–6 after a loss to ] in the Taxslayer Bowl in Jacksonville.


The 2016 season featured an upset over No. 2 ] during a "White-Out" in ]. Following the win, Penn State was ranked 24th in the AP Poll, its first ranking since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ap-top-25-poll-penn-state-ranked-for-the-first-time-since-2011/|title=AP Top 25 poll: Penn State ranked for the first time since 2011|website=CBS Sports|date=October 23, 2016 }}</ref> Penn State finished the regular season 10–2, 8–1 in Big Ten play. After winning a tiebreaker against rivals ], Penn State went on to claim the Big Ten East title and a spot in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis against Big Ten West champion ], which they won after trailing 28–14 in the first half. They outscored the Badgers 24–3 in the second half to take home the Nittany Lions' fourth Big Ten Title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2016/12/03/wisconsin-penn-state-big-ten-championship/94932124/|title=Penn State rallies past Wisconsin to win Big Ten, makes Playoff case|first=Nancy|last=Armour|website=USA Today}}</ref> On August 18, 2017, Penn State announced that Franklin signed a six-year contract extension worth $5.738 million a year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2017/08/18/penn-state-james-franklin-extension-worth-20-million/580882001/|title=Penn State, James Franklin agree to three-year extension worth $20 million|first=Steve|last=Berkowitz|website=USA Today}}</ref> That deal includes retention bonuses paid at the end of each year of the contract. "My family and I are very thankful to be a part of the Penn State community," Franklin said in a statement. "I am pleased with the progress our program has made in the community, in the classroom and on the field. I look forward to diligently working with President Barron and Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour on implementing a plan that puts our University and our student-athletes in the best position to compete on the field and in life."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.psu.edu/story/478238/2017/08/18/athletics/james-franklin-inks-contract-extension|title=James Franklin inks contract extension &#124; Penn State University|website=news.psu.edu}}</ref> In addition to the guaranteed money, Franklin's contract extension has incentives including $800,000 for a national title, $400,000 for a College Football Playoff appearance and $350,000 for winning the Big Ten Championship Game. His incentives are capped at $1 million per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/report-penn-state-signs-james-franklin-to-six-year-extension-worth-5-8m-per-year/|title=Penn State coach James Franklin signs pricey six-year extension at $5.7M per year|website=CBS Sports|date=August 18, 2017 }}</ref>
Other ] selections:


Penn State went to 7–0 to begin the 2017 season, before losing on consecutive weekends to ] and ]. Penn State finished the regular season with wins over ] ] and ]. Penn State capped the 2017 season at the Fiesta Bowl, beating ], 35–28.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400953407|title=Washington vs. Penn State - Game Recap - December 30, 2017 - ESPN|website=ESPN}}</ref>
] • (National Championship Foundation)


In 2018 the Lions went 9–4 with a loss to ] in the Citrus Bowl. The 2019 season was spectacular for Penn State going 11–2 with the losses only to ] by 26–31 and to ] and beat American Athletic Conference Champion ] who at that time was 12–1. Penn State beat ] 53–39 in the Cotton Bowl.
] • (National Championship Foundation)


The 2020 season was ]'s first losing season with the Nittany Lions. They started off the season with COVID-19 pandemic spring cancelations. Penn State traveled to Bloomington to take on ] where they lost in overtime 35–36 with ]'s pendulum touch two-point conversion winning the Game for ]. The Nittany Lions took on ] at home with no whiteout due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State lost 25–38. The Nittany Lions took on ] who they had not lost to since 2014. The Terrapins beat Penn State 19–35 in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions traveled to Nebraska to take on the ] where the Nittany Lions comeback fell short and lost 23–30. The Nittany Lions fought the ] but lost 21–41 giving Penn State its first ever 0–5 start in its history. The Nittany Lions, determined to win, traveled to Ann Arbor to defeat the ]. Penn State got its first victory of the season 27–17 going 1–5. Penn State took on the ] in Piscataway where they won again 23–7 thus giving them a 2–5 record.
] • (Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments, Massey Ratings)
Penn State went home to take on the ]. They trailed 10–21 at halftime but rallied back to win 39–24 getting a 3–5 record. For the Big Ten Championship week Penn State hosted the ] at home. Penn State won in rout 56–21 going to a 4–5 record. Penn State players voted to not accept a bowl invitation so their final record was 4–5. A major offseason change was replacing first-year offensive coordinator ] with ] offensive coordinator ]. James Franklin is currently under a ten-year $75,000,000 contract (as of 2021).


In 2021, Penn State improved upon its lackluster 2020 season going 7–6. The Nittany Lions finished the season unranked and with a 4–5 ] record. They went 2–3 on the road while maintaining a winning 5–2 record at ]. The season started strong on September 4, 2021, when Penn State defeated the #12 ranked ] team. They won their next 4 games including a 28–20 win over the #22 ] team. Then they began to struggle after a close 23–20 loss to the #3 ] on the road October 9, 2021. On October 23, 2021, Penn State battled the ] through an NCAA record 9 overtimes, eventually losing 20–18. The teams both scored fieldgoals in the first 2 overtimes, tying the score 16–16. Neither team scored until the 8th overtime when Illinois finally broke the stalemate, quickly followed by a run from Penn State's Noah Cain. Penn State did not score during its first conversion attempt in overtime 9, leaving the door open for Illinois to eventually score and win the game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Multiple Overtime College Football Games and Team Records|url=https://www.sportsbetting3.com/ncaafb/multiple-overtime-college-football-games-and-team-records|access-date=2022-12-24|website=sportsbetting3.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The Nittany Lions' only subsequent wins came against Maryland (31–14) and Rutgers (28–0). They closed out the 2021 season playing Arkansas at the Outback Bowl, losing the game 24–10.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Penn State vs. Arkansas January 1, 2022|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401331236|access-date=2022-12-24|website=]|language=en-US}}</ref> Penn State has a strong 2022 campaign losing to only Michigan and Ohio State and defeating Pac 12 champion Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl.
1981 • (Dunkel System, Loren Maxwell, Soren Sorenson, The Fleming System)


==Conference affiliations==
] • (Billingsley Report, DeVold, Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments, Massey Ratings, Matthews Grid Ratings, National Championship Foundation, New York Times, Sagarin Ratings)
* Independent (1887–1890)
* ] (1891)
* Independent (1892–1992)
* ] (1993–present)


==Championships==
], with the highlighted years (undefeated and championship seasons) added in 2006]]

===National championships===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Year|Coach|Selectors|Record|Bowl|Final AP|Final Coaches}}
|-
| ''']''' || Joe Paterno || ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], Sagarin (ELO-Chess), ], ], USA/CNN || 11–1 || Won ] || '''No. 1''' || '''No. 1'''
|-
| ''']''' || Joe Paterno || AP, Billingsley, FACT, FB News, FW, Matthews, NCF, NFF, Sagarin (ELO-Chess)*, Sporting News, UPI, USA/CNN || 12–0 || Won ] || '''No. 1''' || '''No. 1'''
|-
|}
Penn State has also been named ] on seven occasions by NCAA-designated major selectors.<ref name="Walsh2007">{{cite book|author=Christopher J. Walsh|title=Who's #1?: 100-Plus Years of Controversial National Champions in College Football|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=580XAQAAMAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Taylor Trade Pub.|isbn=978-1-58979-337-8|pages=54–57}}</ref><ref name="2018ncaabook">{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf | title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association | date=August 2018 | access-date=December 11, 2018}}</ref>{{rp|111–115}} Penn State claims the 1982 and 1986 championships under Joe Paterno's tenure,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/2018/8/8/trads-national-champions-html.aspx | title=Championship History - Penn State University Athletics | publisher= Pennsylvania State Athletics | access-date=December 11, 2018}}</ref> both of which are consensus national championships.<ref name="2018ncaabook" />{{rp|120}}


===Conference championships=== ===Conference championships===
Historically, Penn State played as an independent from 1887 through 1890, then in 1891 as a member of the ] Penn State won the PIFA championship with a 4–1–0 PIFA record, losing only to Bucknell (Bucknell's record was 3–1–1). The PIFA dissolved prior to the 1892 season. Penn State then played as an independent again until joining the ] in 1990 and beginning play in 1993. Penn State then won its first ] in ], they won two more in ] and ], and they won a fourth under James Franklin in 2016.
Penn State played as an independent from 1887 through 1890.


{| class="wikitable"
On September 26, 1891, the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association (PIFA) was formed. The PIFA consisted of Bucknell, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Haverford, Penn State and Swarthmore. Penn State won the championship with a 4–1–0 PIFA record (Bucknell's record was 3–1–1). The PIFA dissolved prior to the 1892 season.
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Year|Conference|Coach|Overall record|Conference record}}
|-
| ] || ] || ''No coach'' || 6–2 || 4–1
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 12–0 || 8–0
|-
| ]† || Big Ten Conference || Joe Paterno || 11–1 || 7–1
|-
| ]† || Big Ten Conference || Joe Paterno || 11–2 || 7–1
|-
| ] || Big Ten Conference || ] || 11–3 || 8–1
|}
† Co-champions


===Division championships===
Penn State then played as an independent again until joining the ] in 1990 and beginning play in 1993, Penn State has won one ] in ]. Two other titles in ] and ] were vacated July 23, 2012 by the ] as a sanction in response to the ].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Year|Division|Coach|CG Opponent|CG result}}
|-
| ]† || Big Ten – Leaders || ] || colspan="2" | ''N/A lost tiebreaker to ]''
|-
| ]† || Big Ten – East || ] || ] || '''W''' 38–31
|}
† Co-champions


===Honored teams===
==Season-by-season records==
], with the highlighted years (undefeated and championship seasons) added in 2006]]
{{Main article|List of Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons}}
Before the 2006 season, Beaver Stadium was updated and seasons of note were honored by being listed in front of the suite façade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/23/penn-state-beaver-stadium-2012-team/1723357/|title=Penn State to honor 2012 team alongside program's best|website=]}}</ref> The following seasons are highlighted;


{| class="wikitable"
==Coaching history==
|-
{| border=1 class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Year|Coach|Record|Notes}}
|-
| ] || ] || 6–0–1 || ]
|-
| ] || ] || 5–0–2 || Undefeated Record
|-
| ] || Bill Hollenback || 8–0–1 || Undefeated Record
|-
| ] || Bill Hollenback || 8–0 || Perfect Season
|-
| ] || ] || 7–0–2 || Undefeated Record
|-
| ] || Hugo Bezdek || 8–0–2 || Undefeated Record
|-
| ] || ] || 9–0–1 || Undefeated Record
|-
| ] || ] || 11–0 || Perfect Season
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 11–0 || Perfect Season
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 12–0 || Perfect Season
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 11–1 || ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 12–0 || Perfect Season, National Champions
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 12–0 || Perfect Season, ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 11–1 || Big Ten Champions
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || 11–2 || Big Ten Champions
|-
| ] || ] || 8–4 ||
|-
| ] || ] || 11–3 || ]
|}

==Bowl games==
{{Main|List of Penn State Nittany Lions bowl games}}
Penn State has earned invitations to 53 ]s. The Nittany Lions have compiled a bowl record of 31–20–2 ({{winning percentage|31|20|2}}), including a 17–7–1 ({{winning percentage|17|7|1}}) record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Cotton).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/|title=Penn State Nittany Lions Bowls|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

Coach ] was responsible for most of these bids and victories, compiling more appearances (37) than any other coach in college football en route to his bowl record of 24–12–1 ({{winning percentage|24|12|1}}). Paterno also has a record of 14–5 ({{winning percentage|14|5}}) in "major" bowls and is the only coach to have won all five major college bowls during his career.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Season|Coach|Bowl|Opponent|Result}}
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] || L 3–14
|-
| ] || ] || ] ||] || '''T''' 13–13
|-
| ] || rowspan="4"|] || ] ||] || '''W''' 7–0
|-
|] || ] ||] || '''W''' 14–12
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 30–15
|-
| ] || ] ||] || L 7–17
|-
| ] || rowspan="37"|] || ] ||] || '''T''' 17–17
|- |-
| ] ||] || ] || '''W''' 15–14
!Coach
!Years
!Seasons
!Record
!Pct.
!Cnf. Record
!Pct.
!Cnf. Titles
!Bowls
!Nat. Titles
|- |-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 10–3
|-
| ]|| ] || ] || '''W''' 30–6
|-
| ] || ] ||] || L 0–14
|-
|] || ] || ] || '''W''' 16–9
|-
| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 41–20
|-
| ] || ] ||] || L 6–13
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 9–20
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 42–30
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 7–14
|-
| ] ||] || ] || '''W''' 9–6
|-
| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 31–19
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 26–10
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 27–23
|-
| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 13–10
|-
| ] ||] || ] || L 10–25
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 14–10
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 10–35
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 50–39
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 17–24
|-
| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 42–17
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 3–24
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 31–13
|-
|] || ] ||] || '''W''' 38–20
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 43–14
|-
| ] ||] || ] || '''W''' 38–15
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 6–21
|-
| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 26–14
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 24–0
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 9–13
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 26–23 <sup>3OT</sup>
|-
| ] ||] || ] || '''W''' 20–10
|-
| ] ||] || ] || '''W''' 24–17
|-
| ] || ] ||] || L 24–38
|-
| ] || ] || ] || '''W''' 19–17
|-
| ] ||] ||] || L 24–37
|-
| ] || ] ||] || ] || L 14–30
|-
| ] ||rowspan="11"| ] || ] ||] || '''W''' 31–30 <sup>OT</sup>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || L 17–24
|-
| ] || ] ||] || L 49–52
|-
|] || ] ||] || '''W''' 35–28
|-
|] || ] ||] || L 24–27
|-
|] || ] ||] || '''W''' 53–39
|-
|] || ] || ] || L 10–24
|-
|] || ] || ] || '''W''' 35–21
|-
|] ||] || ] || L 25–38
|-
|] ||]|| ] || '''W''' 31–14
|}

==Head coaches==
{{main|List of Penn State Nittany Lions head football coaches}}

] is the head coach of Penn State since the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/|title=Penn State Nittany Lions Coaches|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Coach|Years|Seasons|Record|Pct.|Cnf. record|Pct.|Cnf. Titles|Bowls|Nat. Titles}}
|-
|''No coach'' |''No coach''
|1887–1891 |1887–1891
|5 |5
|12–8–1
|12–8–2
|{{winning percentage|12|8|1}}
|.591
|4–1–0 |4–1–0
|{{winning percentage|4|1|0}}
|.800
|1 |1
| |
Line 192: Line 337:
|4 |4
|17–4–4 |17–4–4
|{{winning percentage|17|4|4}}
|.760
| |
| |
Line 203: Line 348:
|3 |3
|12–14–0 |12–14–0
|{{winning percentage|12|14|0}}
|.462
| |
| |
Line 214: Line 359:
|1 |1
|4–6–1 |4–6–1
|{{winning percentage|4|6|1}}
|.409
| |
| |
Line 225: Line 370:
|3 |3
|16–12–1 |16–12–1
|{{winning percentage|16|12|1}}
|.569
| |
| |
Line 232: Line 377:
| |
|- |-
|] |]
|1903 |1903
|1 |1
|5–3–0 |5–3–0
|{{winning percentage|5|3|0}}
|.625
| |
| |
Line 247: Line 392:
|5 |5
|33–17–1 |33–17–1
|{{winning percentage|33|17|1}}
|.657
| |
| |
Line 258: Line 403:
|5 |5
|28–9–4 |28–9–4
|{{winning percentage|28|9|4}}
|.732
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|2
|- |-
|] |]
Line 269: Line 414:
|1 |1
|5–2–1 |5–2–1
|{{winning percentage|5|2|1}}
|.688
| |
| |
Line 280: Line 425:
|3 |3
|20–8–0 |20–8–0
|{{winning percentage|20|8|0}}
|.714
| |
| |
Line 291: Line 436:
|12 |12
|65–30–11 |65–30–11
|{{winning percentage|65|30|11}}
|.665
| |
| |
Line 298: Line 443:
| |
|- |-
|] |]
|1930–1948 |1930–1948
|19 |19
|91–57–11 |91–57–11
|{{winning percentage|91|57|11}}
|.607
| |
| |
Line 313: Line 458:
|1 |1
|5–4–0 |5–4–0
|{{winning percentage|5|4|0}}
|.556
| |
| |
Line 324: Line 469:
|16 |16
|104–48–4 |104–48–4
|{{winning percentage|104|48|4}}
|.680
| |
| |
Line 334: Line 479:
|1966–2011 |1966–2011
|45 |45
|409–136–3
|298–164–3
|{{winning percentage|409|136|3}}
|.648
|95–54–0
|51–56
|{{winning percentage|95|54|0}}
|.477
|1 |3
|28 |37
|2 |2
|- |-
|] |]
|2011 |2011
|<1 |<1
|1–3
|0–3
|{{winning percentage|1|3}}
|.000
|1–2
|0–2
|{{winning percentage|1|2}}
|.000
|
| |
|1
| |
|- |-
|] |]
|2012–2013
|2012–present
|2
|Entering 1st
|15–9
|0–0
|{{winning percentage|15|9}}
|.000
|10–6
|0–0
|{{winning percentage|10|6}}
| |
| |
| |
|-
|]
|2014–present
| 11
| 101–41
|{{winning percentage|101|41}}
| 64–33
|{{winning percentage|64|33}}
| 1
| 10
| |
|-
|'''Totals'''
|'''1887–present'''
|'''125'''
|'''715–389–43'''
|'''.648'''
|'''51–56'''
|'''.477'''
|'''1'''
|'''34'''
|'''2'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/coaching_records.php|title=Penn State Coaching Records|date=November 12, 2011|accessdate=November 12, 2011|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref>
|- |-
|} |}


==Bowl history== ==Rivalries==
{{Main|List of Penn State Nittany Lions bowl games}}
Penn State has earned invitations to 43 ]s. The Nittany Lions have compiled a bowl record of 21–14–2 (0.594), including a 13–6–1 (0.675) record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Cotton).


===Maryland===
Coach ] was responsible for most of these bids and victories, compiling more appearances (37) than any other coach in college football history en route to his bowl record of 18–12–1 (0.596). Paterno also has a record of 10–5–0 (0.666) in "major" bowls and is the only coach to have won all five major college bowls during his career.
{{main|Maryland–Penn State football rivalry}}
Penn State and Maryland met in briefly interrupted stretches between 1917 and 1993, with a near-consecutive run played all but three years (1976, 1981, and 1983) between 1960 and 1993. However, the one-sided record belies what was often a competitive matchup until its final years. While Maryland only compiled one win and one tie, numerous games were narrowly lost by missed ] and ]. In 1975, a field goal attempt by kicker Mike Sochko hit the upright with under a minute left, and Maryland lost 15–13. Ten years later, the Terps missed three field goals to eventually lose 20–18. After the Nittany Lions' move to the Big Ten Conference in 1993, the series was canceled. However, Maryland ended up joining the Big Ten as well, in 2014, reinstating the rivalry after more than 2 decades of being dormant. Maryland would win the first matchup by a point (20–19) after infamously declining to shake hands with Penn State captains at midfield during the coin toss at Beaver Stadium.


The second meeting as conference foes would be played in Baltimore at ] and would again be decided by a point, this time a Penn State win 31–30. The last four matchups (2016–2019), all victories for Penn State have seen the Nittany Lions outscore the Terrapins by a combined score of 201–20 (38–14, 66–3, 38–3, 59–0). The latest match up was played on November 30, 2024, at Beaver Stadium, with Penn State winning 44–7. Penn State leads the series 44–3–1 through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/maryland|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Maryland Terrapins football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
===By year===
<!-- NOTES:
Years should only be wikilinked to a corresponding season article (see WP:CONTEXT and WP:DATE).
Years should be listed as of the year the bowl game was played, not the season.
Where appropriate/available, link to the specific bowl game article (see 2007 Outback Bowl below).
-->
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year* !! Coach !! Bowl Game
|-
| 1923 || ] || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1948 || ] || '''Tied''' ]
|-
| 1959 || ] || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1960 || Rip Engle || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1961 || Rip Engle || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1962 || Rip Engle || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1967 || ] || '''Tied''' ]
|-
| 1969 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1970 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1972 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1972 || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1974 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1975 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1976 || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1976 || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1977 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1979 || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| 1979 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1980 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| 1982 || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year* !! Coach !! Bowl Game
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Won''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year* !! Coach !! Bowl Game
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''(win vacated)''' ]
|-
| ] || Joe Paterno || '''Lost''' ]
|-
| ] || Tom Bradley || '''Lost''' ]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}


===Michigan===
<small>* Year corresponds to the calendar year in which the game was played, not necessarily the football season (e.g.: the '''2007 Outback Bowl''' was played during the '''2006''' season).</small>
{{main|Michigan–Penn State football rivalry}}
Prior to 1993, Penn State had never played against ], but since then many of the games have been competitive duels with shots at a Big Ten title at stake, and subsequently a national championship. Michigan leads the series, 17–10.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/michigan|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan Wolverines football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>


===By game=== ===Michigan State===
{{main|Michigan State–Penn State football rivalry}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Since 1993, Penn State has played ] for the Land Grant Trophy. Penn State holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2023 contest. Penn State leads the series, 19–18–1 as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/michigan-state|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State Spartans football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
|-
! Bowl !! # !! Appearances !! Record
|-
| ] || 2 || 1999, 2008 || 0–0 (2 wins vacated)
|-
| ] || 1 || 1983 || 1–0
|-
| ] || 2 || 1990, 1993 || 0–2
|-
| ] || 5 || 1988, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2010 || 1–3 (1 win vacated)
|-
| ] || 3 || 1948, 1972, 1975 || 2–0–1
|-
| ] || 6 || 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 || 6–0
|-
| ] || 4 || 1961, 1962, 1967, 1976 || 1–2–1
|-
| ] || 1 || 1989 || 1–0
|-
| ] || 3 || 1959, 1960, 1979 || 3–0
|-
| ] || 5 || 1969, 1970, 1974, 1986, 2006 || 3–1 (1 win vacated)
|-
| ] || 4 || 1996, 1999, 2007, 2011 || 1–1 (2 wins vacated)
|-
| ] || 1 || 2012 || 0–1
|-
| ] || 3 || 1923, 1995, 2009 || 1–2
|-
| ] || 4 || 1972, 1976, 1979, 1983 || 1–3
|}


==Rivalries== ===Minnesota===
{{main|Governor's Victory Bell}}
===Current===
When Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, ] was the first conference opponent they played. To commemorate this, the governors of both states commissioned a trophy called the Governor's Victory Bell to landmark this event. Since then, the trophy has traveled hands between the winners of each contest. Penn State leads the series, 11–6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/minnesota|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>
Penn State competes for two ], both introduced when the Nittany Lions began ] football in 1993.


====Alabama==== ===Ohio State===
{{main|Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry}}
The rivalry began before Penn State was a member of the Big Ten. Penn State won the first four meetings of the series, which were held between 1912 and 1964. Then Ohio State won in 1975 in a game held in Columbus, Ohio and again in 1976 during the first ever matchup between the two teams in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State and Ohio State would meet again in 1980 in their first and only postseason bowl, the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, which Penn State won. After the Fiesta Bowl, the two teams would not meet again until Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Since then, the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have played each other annually. Ohio State leads the series 25–14 through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/ohio-state|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State Buckeyes football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>

===Pittsburgh===
{{main|Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry}}
This is a long-standing series between in-state rivals Penn State and ]. The rivalry, once one of the fiercest and most important in college football north of the ], began on November 6, 1893, at the inaugural game of ] in State College, and Penn State won the contest 32–0.<ref>{{cite web |author=Geoff Rushton |url=https://news.psu.edu/story/157346/2011/06/13/beaver-stadium-home-penn-state-football |title=Beaver Stadium: The Home of Penn State Football |website=Penn State News |date=June 13, 2011 |access-date=April 21, 2019 }}</ref> The first two decades of the series was dominated by Penn State taking 12 of 15 matchups between 1893 and 1912. From 1913 to 1949 Pitt would hold a 26–6–2 advantage, before ] took over as head coach for Penn State in 1950. With Joe Paterno as an assistant coach, Engle led Penn State to a 9–6–1 record against the Panthers from 1950 to 1965. When Paterno was named head coach in 1965, the next 31 games would swing heavily in the Nittany Lion's favor, holding a 23–7–1 advantage from 1966 to 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/with-the-rivalry-reborn-pitt-and-penn-state-players-re-1786437658|title=With The Rivalry Reborn, Pitt And Penn State Players Remember The Game That Defined It|last=Cosentino|first=Dom|website=Deadspin|date=September 9, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref>

The rivalry went on a 15-year hiatus prior to the scheduling of a 4-game series in 2011<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2011/06/pitt_penn_state_announce_resum.html|title=Pitt, Penn State resume rivalry with 2016 football game|last=Vigna|first=Paul|date=2011-06-14|website=pennlive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> that would see Penn State travel to Pittsburgh in 2016 & 2018 with Pitt returning to Happy Valley in 2017 & 2019. The series was branded the Keystone Classic in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gopsusports.com/news/2016/8/26/Penn_State_Pitt_Series_Dubbed_Keystone_Classic_Presented_by_Peoples_Natural_Gas.aspx|title=Penn State-Pitt Series Dubbed Keystone Classic Presented by Peoples Natural Gas|website=Penn State University Athletics|date=August 26, 2016 }}</ref> which saw Pitt hold on for a thrilling 42–39<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400869436|title=Penn State vs. Pittsburgh - Game Summary - September 10, 2016 - ESPN|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> victory fending off a fierce fourth quarter comeback that fell short on an interception late in the 4th quarter.<ref>The Nittany Lions would drop the first matchup in Pittsburgh, before winning the last three games of the series. The Pennsylvania rivals do not have any future games scheduled in the series.</ref> The Nittany Lions would take the final three games, winning 33–14 in 2017, 51–6 in 2018, and most recently 17–10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401112259|title=Pittsburgh vs. Penn State - Game Summary - September 14, 2019 - ESPN|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> in Beaver Stadium in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onwardstate.com/2019/09/14/penn-state-pitt-series-ends-in-fitting-fashion/|title=Penn State-Pitt Series Ends In Fitting Fashion|date=2019-09-14|website=Onward State|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref>

There are no future games scheduled between the two schools, although there is talk of a potential neutral site matchup sometime in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2019/09/could-the-next-penn-state-pitt-matchup-be-at-a-neutral-site.html|title=Could the next Penn State-Pitt matchup be at a neutral site?|last=Pickel|first=Greg|date=2019-09-10|website=pennlive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> The Nittany Lions and Panthers have met on the football field 100 times. Penn State holds a 10-win advantage in the series, 53–43–4, through the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/pittsburgh|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Pittsburgh Panthers football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>

===Syracuse===
{{main|Penn State–Syracuse football rivalry}}
The rivalry started in 1922, when Syracuse fought Penn State to a scoreless tie. But it was during the 1950s and 1960s that the rivalry intensified, as it enjoyed a competitive and often controversial string of contests. Syracuse football was led by ], and Penn State by ], then ]. From ] to ], Syracuse won 11 games to Penn State's 10.

After Schwartzwalder retired in ], Syracuse floundered. Penn State won 16 straight from ] to ]. Conference realignment and scheduling disagreements also dampened the intensity of the rivalry. Penn State fans and players increasingly turned their attention to the ] with ].

In ], Coach ] finally led Syracuse to a resounding 48–21 victory over the Nittany Lions in the ]. Syracuse won again the following year in ] but lost the last two games before the series was suspended in ]. The rivalry has since been renewed three times since the series suspension — in 2008, 2009, and 2013. The Nittany Lions won all three of these contests. Penn State leads the series 43–23–5 with the most recent game played in 2013. Next meeting between the two teams is scheduled for September 4, 2027.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/syracuse|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Syracuse Orange football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>

===West Virginia===
{{main|Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry}}
Penn State and ] have played each other 59 times. The first game was in 1904 when Penn State won that game 34–0. In their most recent encounter on August 31, 2024, Penn State won 34–12 in ]. This series has been dominated by the Nittany Lions who lead the series 50–9–2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/west-virginia|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. West Virginia Mountaineers football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>

===Historic series===
==== Alabama ====
{{main|Alabama–Penn State football rivalry}} {{main|Alabama–Penn State football rivalry}}
Though the Crimson Tide are not as much of a traditional opponent for the Nittany Lions, the two teams are still often considered among the best in the country, claim a combined 20 national titles (of which 18 belong to Alabama), and have met in a bowl game three times. The series began on December 19, 1959, in that year's edition of the ], a 7–0 win for No. 12 Penn State. Sixteen years later, the Nittany Lions and Crimson Tide met in the 1975 Sugar Bowl, resulting in a 13–6 Tide victory in New Orleans. Perhaps the most notable game between these two teams came four years later, in a 1979 Sugar Bowl rematch, resulting in another Alabama victory. The rivalry was intensified during the 1980s, when the Lions and Tide met in 10 consecutive seasons, all during regular season play. After this time, the rivalry went dormant for two decades before being renewed for a 2-game home-and-home series in 2010 and 2011. Alabama leads the series 10–5 with the last game played in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/penn-state/vs/alabama|title=Winsipedia - Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Alabama Crimson Tide football series history|website=Winsipedia}}</ref>


==Traditions==
From 1959 through 1990, Penn State played ]. The series was renewed in 2010 in Tuscaloosa and then 2011 in State College.


====Michigan State==== === The White Out ===
This ] tradition dates back to a student section white out in 2004 (against Purdue) and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated games during the football season. In recent years, Penn State students have donned white clothes, paint - anything white - to show their solidarity and support for the Nittany Lions. Forming a mass of bouncing and infectious enthusiasm, the students have "Whited Out" Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and other sports venues, making them some of the noisiest and most intimidating stadiums in America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/259947-a-brief-history-of-penn-state-whiteouts|title=A Brief History of the Penn State Whiteout|last=Ferguson|first=Alex|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
{{main|Land Grant Trophy}}


Beano Cook of ESPN says, "If you aren't impressed with the White Out, you're probably one of those people who think the moon landing was faked."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.psu.edu/story/184509/2008/08/16/nittany-lion-student-section-ranked-nations-best|title=Nittany Lion student section ranked nation's best {{!}} Penn State University|website=news.psu.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
From 1993 to 2010, Penn State played ] for the ]. Michigan State has a 5–4 record in these trophy games. Penn State holds a 13–12–1 lead in the all-time series and Michigan State currently holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2010 contest. Beginning with the league's expansion and new division format in 2011, the two teams are in different divisions and will only meet twice every five years.


====Minnesota==== ===Nittanyville===
Originally named "Paternoville", Nittanyville is a student camp out that occurs every week of a Penn State home football game. The students camp out to support the team and to acquire the best possible seats for the weekend's upcoming game, since seating is first-come, first serve for students. While the name "Paternoville" came about during Penn State's 2005 football season, students have long camped out for first row seats. Prior to 1993, the university distributed non-seat-specific tickets. Starting the same year Penn State football began competition in the Big Ten Conference, students were assigned seats on a first-come-first-serve basis, so that the first students to pass through "Gate A" at the south-east corner of the stadium would be assigned first row seats, and so on down the line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_75803a19-86de-5025-9e9d-2a1cb5da4a8b.html|title=Students adjust to assigned seating|last=Epstein|first=Brian|website=The Daily Collegian|date=August 20, 1994 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref> Since then, students have camped out in small to massive numbers in order to guarantee themselves a front row seat to a Penn State home football game.
]
{{main|Governor's Victory Bell}}


The 2005 season saw the naming of the tent-city. In anticipation of the 2005 contest between No. 16 Penn State and No. 6 Ohio State, students began camping six days in advance of the game outside the gate so that they would get a first row seat for, arguably, the biggest game of the 2005 season for Penn State. On Tuesday of the week preceding the game, "Paternoville" first appeared. Credited with the naming, freshman Dan Clark and the other students camping with him created a banner reading "Paternoville".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/sports/ncaafootball/25psu.html|title=Penn State Tent City Now Has Rule Book|last=Viera|first=Mark|date=2008-09-24|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-09-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Since 1993, Penn State has played ] for the ]. Penn State is 8–4 against the Golden Gophers in this series and holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2010 contest.


The name stuck, and on Wednesday morning, October 5, 2005, newspapers were already referring to the campsite as "Paternoville". State-wide, regional, and even national media outlets began paying attention to the show in front of Gate A. Local businesses printed t-shirts up for the students, brought truckloads of food, and distributed various things like magazines and small footballs to keep the students occupied. Throughout the week, players, coaches, and many alumni and media personalities paid visits to Paternoville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_166c7e20-cb29-5ac9-afbe-1c195f0b3368.html|title=Paterno, Spanier visit stadium camp|last=Yassin|first=Sirage|website=The Daily Collegian|date=October 6, 2005 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
Due to the Big Ten's schedule rotation, Penn State and Minnesota did not meet in 2007 and 2008. The series resumed in 2009. Beginning with the league's expansion and new division format in 2011, the two teams will play in opposite divisions and meet twice every five years.


On Friday, ESPN's "Cold Pizza" morning show was broadcast from in front of the Bryce Jordan Center, across from the stadium, with some of the cast walking through Paternoville interviewing students and taping their activities, despite the constant drizzle. The next day, ESPN's College Gameday also was broadcast in front of the Bryce Jordan Center, hours before the showdown between the cross-border rivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_28dd1a20-a408-544b-a67d-2481bb18e06f.html|title=ESPN's Cold Pizza to film at PSU|website=The Daily Collegian|date=October 4, 2005 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
====Nebraska====
The teams played a series of games before Penn State joined the Big Ten, most notably in the early 1980s. The high point of the rivalry was an epic battle in week three of 1982 season. Nebraska came to Happy Valley ranked #2; Penn State was ranked No. 8 at the time. After Nebraska had scored to take the lead with a minute remaining, Todd Blackledge led the Lions down the field, and was helped by a controversial call deep inside Husker territory. Penn State won the game with a touchdown as time expired, and went on to win the National Championship. The series was renewed briefly in 2002–03 after a 19-year gap (during which in 1994, Nebraska and Penn State finished 1–2 in both major polls). Beginning in the 2011 season, Penn State and Nebraska will play every year as cross-division rivals. Nebraska beat Penn State in the first game since joining the Big Ten conference, the weekend that immediately followed the firing of legendary head coach Joe Paterno. {{Citation needed|date=July 2012}}


Before noon, the tents were packed away and hundreds of students began to line up for entry into the stadium. That night, in a historic game, the Nittany Lions upset the No. 6 ranked Buckeyes 17–10 in front of a crowd of almost 110,000. The game being decided on a fumble by Ohio State quarterback and future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, caused by Penn State defensive end Tamba Hali and recovered by defensive tackle Scott Paxson. After the final whistle, the students rushed the field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=252810213|title=Ohio State vs. Penn State - Game Summary - October 8, 2005 - ESPN|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
====Ohio State====
{{main|Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry}}


The Paternoville name continued after the game. Since the original "Paternoville", two other games have garnered comparable camp-outs. They were the 2005 game against the University of Wisconsin Badgers, which was Senior Day for the 2005 season,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.psu.edu/story/207233/2005/11/08/football-2005-year-review|title=Football 2005 year in review {{!}} Penn State University|website=news.psu.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref> and the 2006 contest against University of Michigan Wolverines. However, students camp out for every game, not solely the "big" games. On average, about 10–15 tents appear for every game, while the number of tents for the 2005 Ohio State and Wisconsin games and the 2006 Michigan game exceeded 100.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lancasteronline.com/sports/psu-michigan-pick-your-subplot/article_e12f5c4b-3c6b-5d79-8b8e-28fc59f64466.html|title=PSU-Michigan: Pick your subplot|last=Freeman|first=Kevin|website=LancasterOnline|date=October 11, 2006 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
] and Penn State first played in 1912, but until 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten conference, the meetings were infrequent. Including their last non-conference meeting in the 1980 ], the series was 6–2 in favor of Penn State before the Big Ten established the two teams as designated conference rivals playing annually starting in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title=Remember the Illibuck|url=http://admin.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?list_id=9&story_id=7936&F_PG=25|first=Bill|last=Nesnidal|publisher=Big Ten Network|date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref> Penn State trails the overall series by a slim 13–12 margin and is 6–11 in conference play.<ref name="psu-osu series">{{cite web|title=Penn State vs Ohio St.|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=2380|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref>


Prior to the 2006 season, the university placed several markers around Beaver Stadium commemorating various traditions related to Penn State football. To the left of Gate A there is a marker for the Penn State "student section" and to the right of the gate there is a marker for "Paternoville".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gopsusports.com/news/2006/9/29/First_Phase_of_Beaver_Stadium_Enhancements_Complete.aspx|title=First Phase of Beaver Stadium Enhancements Complete|website=Penn State University Athletics|date=September 29, 2006 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
Penn State is 5–8 at ] (the 1912 game was played at its predecessor, Ohio Field) after a 13–6 win in ], breaking a seven-game away losing streak at Ohio Stadium. Penn State is 5–5 against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium, including a memorable come-from-behind win in 2001 to give ] his 324th win, passing ] for the lead in career victories among major college coaches.<ref name="psu-osu series"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Penn State Captures Second Straight, Paterno Breaks All Time Record|url=http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102701aaa.html|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=October 27, 2001|accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref>


Since 2006, the practice of camping out has grown every year until 2009, when over 2,000 different students camped out for one or multiple games throughout the season. In 2011, the record was broken because of Penn State's high-powered home schedule, which included SEC powerhouse Alabama and new in-conference foe Nebraska, amongst other teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/7/16/3163713/paternoville-is-now-nittanyville|title=Paternoville Is Now Nittanyville|last=Vecellio|first=Dan|date=2012-07-16|website=Black Shoe Diaries|language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
At least two meetings have determined the conference champion.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Of the 24 games they played, 9 have been determined by 7 points or less, 14 games by 14 points or less. Penn State has shut out Ohio State three times but all occurred prior to Penn State joining the Big Ten, while Ohio State has never held Penn State below six points.<ref name="psu-osu series"/> Due to the nature of the rivalry, a large number of games between the two teams are night games.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}


In the summer of 2012, "Paternoville" officially became "Nittanyville". As Coach Paterno was no longer the coach of Penn State's football team, the organization decided that since it was unlikely another coach would stay as long as Coach Paterno had, changing the name for each new coach would be impractical. However, aside from the name, nothing was changed and students continued to support the team and camp out for the primary seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_df06bef8-ed7a-515a-a83c-fd921ee25270.html|title='Paternoville' changes name to 'Nittanyville'|last=Gilbert|first=Tim|website=The Daily Collegian|date=July 16, 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref>
====Temple====
Penn State has been playing ] frequently since 1931. Temple has not beaten Penn State since 1941, and Penn State holds a 37–3–1 record in the series, after defeating Temple 14–10 at ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=3177|title=Penn State vs Temple (PA)|accessdate=December 2, 2008|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/213/penn-state-nittany-lions|title=Penn State Football|accessdate=September 24, 2011|publisher=ESPN College Football}}</ref> The current series will continue every season except the 2013 season through at least 2016.<ref name="schedule thru 2012">{{cite web|title=Big Ten football schedules set for 2010–12|url=http://live.psu.edu/story/31377|publisher=Penn State Live|date=June 16, 2008|accessdate=December 2, 2008}}</ref> Penn State's 30 game winning streak over Temple is currently the longest active streak in college football.


===Dormant=== ===Success with Honor===
Joe Paterno was widely known for his "grand experiment" in which he challenged his players to be successful both on the field and in the classroom.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/paternos-grand-experiment-produced-perfection-38536635-012312|title=Paterno's Grand Experiment produced perfection|date=2012-01-23|work=FOX Sports|access-date=2018-06-13|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2011, the Nittany Lion football team posted an 87% graduation rate, tied with Stanford for No. 10 overall among the nation's 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions, above the national average of 67%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110211aaa.html |title=Penn State Football Tied For Best Graduation Success Rate Among BCS/AP Top 25 Teams|publisher=]|work=The Official Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions |date=November 2, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>


The June 2012 conviction of former assistant coach ] on multiple counts of child sexual abuse marred the "Success with Honor" image.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/juror-sandusky-lacked-emotion-confirming-correct-verdict/#ixzz1zMjaPKhU |title=Juror: Sandusky lacked emotion, confirming correct verdict |work=Fox News |date= June 23, 2012|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> President Rodney Erickson, athletics director Dave Joyner, and head football coach Bill O'Brien, all of whom accepted their jobs in the wake of the scandal, have made statements in which they express commitment to maintaining integrity at the university and within the athletics programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/7/23/3177470/erickson-joyner-obrien-release-statements |title=Erickson, Joyner, O'Brien Release Statements |publisher=Black Shoe Diaries |date=July 23, 2012|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
====Maryland====
{{main|Maryland–Penn State football rivalry}}


In 2012, a group of alumni and supporters established a non-profit organization that will build upon the "Success with Honor" motto. Their mission is to promote and support charitable endeavors as well as to inspire others to "Get in the Game." Success with Honor is a Social Network Community that has identified more than 60+ charities. Success with Honor helps individuals to identify and connect with causes they would like to volunteer their skills, time, and/or money to. Similarly, SWH assists charities in finding individuals to meet their current needs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2013/02/01/Success_with_honor_alumni_group.aspx |title=Organization tries to bring alumni together - the Daily Collegian Online |access-date=2013-02-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217094758/http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2013/02/01/Success_with_honor_alumni_group.aspx |archive-date=2013-02-17 }}</ref>
This lop-sided rivalry was first played in 1917, and all but three years between 1960 and 1993, but has remained inactive since. As recently as October 2008, there have been inconclusive negotiations between the schools for a revival.<ref>Jeff Barker, , ''Baltimore Sun'', October 3, 2008.</ref> Penn State has a commanding 35–1–1 lead in the series.


====Notre Dame==== ===Uniform===
] in 2012 at ]: note the simple uniforms of the Nittany Lions during their away games]]
Penn State and ] first met in 1913 and played each other in 1925, 1926 and 1928. The two teams would not meet again until the 1976 ] which Notre Dame won 20–9.
The team is widely noted for their simple game uniforms. They only wear white pants, and the jerseys are simple blue for home games, and white for away games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fornelli|title=Penn State making uniform change|url=http://college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/27656427|access-date=May 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228224731/http://college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/27656427|archive-date=February 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The team is only allowed to wear simple black ] shoes with white calf socks for game days, though blue tights are permitted underneath the white socks for cold weather games. The helmet is white with a blue stripe down the center, and a blue on white "Penn State" sticker covers up the forehead helmet logo. No team logos, conference logos, numbers, or other stickers are permitted on the helmet, though two Nike logos are on facemask visors that some players choose to wear. Penn State has started to wear bowl decals only starting with ]. Before that, Penn State always declined the decals so they can play out of their simple game uniforms.


The blue and white uniforms replaced the school's original colors, pink and black, in 1890 after a student referendum. A common legend of the color change is that the original colors faded in the sun. Black became a hue of navy blue and the pink became such a light hue that it appeared white. The historicity of this, however, is very questionable, as evidence of it being the root cause is scarce.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://studentblog.worldcampus.psu.edu/index.php/2009/10/bleed-pink-and-black/ |title=Bleed Pink and Black? &#124; Corner of College and Allen |publisher=Studentblog.worldcampus.psu.edu |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116091510/http://studentblog.worldcampus.psu.edu/index.php/2009/10/bleed-pink-and-black/ |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
The series from 1981 through 1992 put the rivalry into focus on a national level.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} At the time, Penn State and Notre Dame were two of the few remaining ] teams remaining in ]. It was also a very successful time for both programs, with Notre Dame winning a ] in 1988 and Penn State crowned National Champions in 1982 and 1986. In the 12-game series, Penn State held a 8–4–0 advantage including a 1990 win at ] where Penn State knocked off top-ranked Notre Dame with a last second field goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackshoediaries.com/story/2007/7/11/13927/1290|title=Penn State – Notre Dame: A History of the Rivalry|date=July 11, 2007|accessdate=December 2, 2008|publisher=Black Shoe Diaries}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


The uniforms became even simpler for the 2011 season, as the white cuffs and collars on the home jerseys and the corresponding blue cuffs and collars on the road jerseys were eliminated, leaving the jerseys solid blue and white, respectively.
The rivalry was briefly renewed with a home-and-home series in 2006 and 2007. Penn State evened the series to 9–9–1, after defeating Notre Dame 31–10 at ], ] after being defeated in the previous year 41–17 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=2349|title=Penn State vs Notre Dame (IN)|accessdate=December 2, 2008|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref>


In 2012 Penn State started wearing names on their uniforms for the first time as a way to note the players who stuck with the school through the scandal and a blue ribbon in support the victims of child abuse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/Penn-State-to-add-names-to-back-of-football-jerseys.html |title=Penn State to add names to back of football jerseys |publisher=Philly.com |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
====Pittsburgh====
{{main|Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry}}
The ] is a currently dormant series between in-state rivals Penn State and ]. Once considered the fiercest and most important college football rivalry north of the ], this rivalry was first played in 1893 when Penn State won 32–0. The most recent game in the series was played in 2000 with Pitt winning 12–0 over Penn State at ]. Penn State holds a 50–42–4 record in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=2581|title=Penn State vs Pittsburgh (PA)|accessdate=October 21, 2008|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref>


In 2013, the Nittany Lion logo was added to the base of the jersey collar along with the Big Ten logo on the right side of the jersey.
Of the 96 games played between the two, 72 have been held in Pittsburgh. Twenty-two have been played in State College. Two games, in 1900 and 1901, were played in ].


Starting in 2015, the names that were added throughout the 2012–14 seasons to honor those who stayed with the program were removed and the team reverted to the traditional nameless jerseys while still retaining the Nittany Lion logo at the base of the jersey collar. The team also began sporting new Nike Elite 51 jerseys which feature a new design on the collars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071615aaa.html|title=Penn State Football to Remove Names from Jerseys}}</ref> In addition, the team added the words "Nittany Lions" onto the back of the football helmets.
Pitt and Penn State are scheduled to renew their rivalry with a 2-game home-and-home series starting in 2016 and continuing in 2017. The first game of the series will be played at ] in Pittsburgh, in 2016, with the second game taking place in 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College.


For the 2017 homecoming game against the ], Penn State broke tradition by donning throwback jerseys in what was dubbed the "Generations of Greatness" game. These uniforms integrated elements from past uniforms, including: numbers on helmets' sides, block uniform numbers, white stripes on sleeves, blue stripes on pants, striped socks, gray facemasks, white cleats, and a few other subtle changes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061517aag.html|title=FB Announces Generations of Greatness Game|access-date=2018-06-13|language=en}}</ref>
====Syracuse====
With the exception of 1943, Penn State and ] played every year from 1922 through 1990. However, the rivalry became dormant when Syracuse joined the ] and Penn State joined the Big Ten.


===Captains===
The rivalry was briefly renewed when the teams agreed to a two-game home-and-home series for 2008 and 2009. Penn State holds a 42–23–5 record in this series, after defeating Syracuse 28–7 at Beaver Stadium in 2009. The rivalry will be renewed in a 3 game series at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ from 2013–2015 and there are plans to do a home and home series in 2020 and 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2008/9/11/611922/the-history-of-the-penn-st|title=The History of the Penn State – Syracuse Rivalry|date=September 11, 2008|accessdate=October 21, 2008|publisher=Black Shoe Diaries}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2008/9/12/612687/the-penn-state-syracuse-ri|title=The Penn State – Syracuse Rivalry Part II|date=September 12, 2008|accessdate=October 21, 2008|publisher=Black Shoe Diaries}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=3150|title=Penn State vs Syracuse (NY)|accessdate=October 21, 2008|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref>
Captains are chosen by the team, with the head coach's approval. Being named a captain is an honor almost always given to a senior, but there are some notable exceptions: Linebacker ] was named a captain in the beginning of Spring practice in 2008, the beginning of his 4th year with the team. However, he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice, redshirted in 2008, and returned as a captain again in 2009. The most recent example of a "true" junior being named was ], who was named a captain in both 2005 and 2006, his junior and senior years, respectively. The last time a junior was named captain before Posluszny was in 1968, when ] and ] were named captains during their junior years.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hudson|first=Beth|title=PSU tri-captains bring a solid mix to the table|url=https://www.mcall.com/2005/08/02/psu-tri-captains-bring-a-solid-mix-to-the-table-posluszny-is-young-zemaitis-is-serious-and-robinson-brings-humor/|access-date=April 10, 2013|newspaper=]|date=August 2, 2005|location=]}}</ref> In 2014, ] became the first true sophomore to be named team captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centredaily.com/2014/08/13/4303432/penn-state-football-nittany-lions.html?sp=/99/116/|title=Community – CentreDaily.com|work=centredaily.com}}</ref>


====West Virginia==== ===Linebacker U===
{{more citations needed section|date=December 2020}}
{{main|Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry}}
Penn State is referred to as Linebacker U for its reputation of producing outstanding linebackers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/football/article_f454f924-578c-11e5-a45c-53d3fa3a8f77.html|title=The origins of Penn State football's Linebacker U|last=Collegian|first=Anthony Picardi {{!}} The Daily|work=The Daily Collegian|access-date=2018-06-13|language=en}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2020}}


* ] was a two-time All American in 1968 and 1969 and played on two undefeated teams.<ref name=bsd>{{cite web|last=Hubbell|first=Mike|title=The Greatest Penn State Linebackers of All Time|url=http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2007/6/10/214341/999|work=Black Shoe Diaries – SB Nation|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=April 10, 2013|date=January 10, 2007}}</ref>
First played in 1904, Penn State and ] played every year from 1947 to 1992. The rivalry has been dormant since Penn State joined the Big Ten. Penn State leads the series 48–9–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/penn_state/opponents_records.php?teamid=3502|title=Penn State vs West Virginia|accessdate=October 21, 2008|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}}</ref>
* ] finished his career with 251 tackles, blocked two punts and went on to play on two undefeated teams. Ham later went on to the NFL, playing for the ], and was inducted into the ].<ref name="bsd"/>
* ] a fourth round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, went on to star in the Canadian Football League as a linebacker with the Montreal Alouettes coached by future NFL Legend Marv Levy. Zapiec switched from offensive guard in his senior year and also received All-American honors; in the two years he started as a guard and the one year as a linebacker, he accumulated 34 wins, including three major bowl victories, while suffering only one loss, the best record for a starter at Penn State.
*], an American football coach and former professional linebacker, played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). From 1970 to 1973, he played linebacker at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain of the Nittany Lions' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.
* ] was a linebacker during the 1973–1975 seasons, finishing with 305 tackles in his junior and senior year. He was drafted by the ] and is a part of the All Jet team.
* ] was a two-time All-American and defensive MVP of the 1987 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. He was drafted No. 1 by the Bills in 1987, named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to three straight Pro Bowls (1988–90).<ref name="bsd"/>
* ] finished with 319 career tackles and 139 tackles for losses. He was later drafted second overall by the ].<ref name="bsd"/>
* ] (Known as Derek Wake when at Penn State) went on to capture MVP honors for the ] in the ] before moving on to the ] and leading the ] in sacks during the 2010 season.<ref name="lee/wake"/>
* ] was the 20th overall pick in the ] and led the AFC in sacks during the 2010 NFL season, helping the Kansas City Chiefs reach the playoffs. He played defensive end during his college career.<ref name="lee/wake"/>
* ] played from 2003 to 2006. Posluszny won the ] in 2005 and the ] in 2005 and 2006. He finished with 372 tackles and was drafted by the ].<ref name="bsd"/> Also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring after 2017 season.
* ] finished his career as the all-time leading tackler for Penn State with 419 and was drafted by the ].<ref name="bsd"/>
* ] graduated from Penn State in 2009 and is an inside linebacker for the ].<ref name="lee/wake">{{cite web|last=Archer|first=Todd|title=Sean Lee part of new/old Linebacker U|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4685717/sean-lee-part-of-newold-linebacker-u|work=Dallas Cowboys Blog |publisher=ESPN Dallas |access-date=April 10, 2013|date=October 26, 2011}}</ref>
* ], drafted by the ] in the third round of the 2010 draft, ranked seventh in the league in tackles in 2011<ref>{{cite web|author=Sat, Aug 188:00 PM ET |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13262/navorro-bowman |title=NaVorro Bowman Stats, News, Videos, Highlights, Pictures, Bio – San Francisco 49ers |work=ESPN |date=May 28, 1988|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> and was named an AP first team All-Pro for his 2011 campaign. Bowman played for the Oakland Raiders.
* ] and ] were "Co-Linebacker U" in 2012, both achieved over 95 tackles and both were drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/15903/michael-mauti|title=Michael Mauti|work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/15977/gerald-hodges|title=Gerald Hodges|work=ESPN}}</ref>
*], opted out of the ]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-30|title=LB Parsons won't opt back in for Nittany Lions|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30009002/penn-state-lb-micah-parsons-not-opting-back-2020|access-date=2021-02-18|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> He was the first linebacker taken in the ], being drafted by the ] with the 11th overall pick.

==2011 child sex abuse scandal==
{{main|Penn State child sex abuse scandal}}
The scandal centered on then retired Penn State football assistant coach ]'s ] of two underage boys on or near university property. After a ] investigation, Sandusky was indicted on 52 counts of child molestation dating from 1994.<ref name=1970s>{{cite news|url=http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/exclusive_jerry_sandusky_inter.html |title=Exclusive: Jerry Sandusky interview prompts long-ago victims to contact lawyer |author=Sara Ganim |work=] |date=November 17, 2011 |access-date=November 21, 2011}}</ref> The trial started on June 11, 2012, at the ] in ],<ref name="Trial">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/sports/ncaafootball/jerry-sandusky-child-sexual-abuse-trial-begins.html?pagewanted=all |title=Sandusky's Trial Begins With Graphic Testimony|work=The New York Times|date=June 11, 2012|author=Belson, Ken|access-date=June 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="contract">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/jerry-sandusky-trial-hears-victim-testify-years-sex/story?id=16539947#.T9hI4NWlWTU|title=Jerry Sandusky Offered Victim 4 a Contract to Keep Seeing Him|work=ABC News|date=June 11, 2012|author1=Curry, Colleen|author2=Avila, Jim|access-date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> and ended on June 22, when the jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 counts.<ref name="apverdict">{{cite news|last1=Scolforo|first1=Mark|last2=Armas|first2=Genaro|title=Ex-Penn St. assistant Sandusky convicted of abuse|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PENN_STATE_ABUSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-06-22-22-18-58|access-date=June 22, 2012|agency=Associated Press|date=June 22, 2012}}</ref><ref name="NYT-guilty">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/sports/ncaafootball/jerry-sandusky-convicted-of-sexually-abusing-boys.html|title=Sandusky Convicted of Sexually Abusing Boys|last=Drape|first=Joe|date=June 22, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 23, 2012}}</ref> On October 9, 2012, Sandusky was sentenced to 30–60 years in prison.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2012/10/jerry_sandusky_gets_30-60_year.html | title=Jerry Sandusky gets 30-60 years for molesting boys | date=October 9, 2012 }}</ref> Several high-level school officials were charged with ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Top Officials Step Down Amid Penn State Scandal|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/two-top-officials-step-down-amid-penn-state-scandal/|agency=Associated Press|access-date=November 9, 2011|work=Fox News|date=November 7, 2011}}</ref> suspended, or dismissed for allegedly ] the incidents or failing to notify authorities. School president ] was forced to resign, and head football coach ] was fired without cause late in the season, while Sandusky maintained his innocence.<ref name="admission">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15730317 |title=Jerry Sandusky regrets showers with boys at Penn State |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2011 |work=BBC News Online }}</ref>

Former ] director ], whose firm was hired by the Penn State Board of Trustees to conduct an investigation, concluded, after ostensibly conducting 400 interviews and reviewing 3.5 million documents, that Paterno, Spanier, Curley and Schultz had "repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large."<ref name="nyt-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|title=Penn State's Part|date=July 12, 2012|access-date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/opinion/penn-states-part-in-the-sandusky-sexual-abuse-scandal.html}}</ref><ref name="usa-psu-child-abuse">{{cite news|last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |last2=Marklein |first2=Mary Beth |title=Freeh report blasts culture of Penn State |date=July 13, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-12/louis-freeh-report-penn-state-jerry-sandusky/56181956/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714020251/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-12/louis-freeh-report-penn-state-jerry-sandusky/56181956/1 |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="psu-child-abuse">{{cite press release|title=Remarks of Louis Freeh in Conjunction with Announcement of Report Regarding the Pennsylvania State University |date=July 12, 2012 |publisher=Kekst and Company |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/99901024/Freeh-Report-Release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713030618/http://www.scribd.com/doc/99901024/Freeh-Report-Release |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=live |quote=Although concern to treat the child abuser humanely was expressly stated, no such sentiments were ever expressed by them for Sandusky's victims. }}</ref> In an interview on '']'', the former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Frank Fina, who investigated and prosecuted Sandusky, stated he found no evidence that Paterno participated in a cover-up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2013-09-07/news/41836502_1_sandusky-prosecutor-jerry-sandusky-tim-curley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910071156/http://articles.philly.com/2013-09-07/news/41836502_1_sandusky-prosecutor-jerry-sandusky-tim-curley|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2013|title=Sandusky prosecutor: Paterno not part of cover-up|work=Philly.com}}</ref>

In July 2012, ] announced it had fined the Penn State football program $60 million, levied a 4-year ban from bowl games and vacated all the program's 112 wins from 1998 to 2011. The program was originally scheduled to lose 10 scholarships from incoming classes in 2013–16, which would have been a loss of 40 scholarships.<ref name=USATodayNCAA>{{cite news|title=NCAA hands out severe punishment for Penn State|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2012-07-23/ncaa-penn-state-punishment-sanctions/56427630/1|last=Prisbell|first=Eric|work=USA Today|date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> In September 2013, the NCAA announced they were restoring 25 of the 40 scholarships to Penn State "ue to Penn State University's continued progress toward ensuring athletics integrity". After losing 10 scholarships from the 2013–2014 incoming class and only having 75 total players on scholarship, Penn State gained five scholarships back for 2014–15, bringing in 20 new players with 80 total on scholarship. Full scholarships were regained for 2016–17. In total they lost only 15 scholarships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/executive-committee-gradually-restore-penn-state-scholarships|title=Executive Committee to gradually restore Penn State scholarships|last=aassimon|date=2013-09-24|work=NCAA.org - The Official Site of the NCAA|access-date=2018-06-13|language=en}}</ref> The decision to return the scholarships was by the executive committee of the NCAA following a recommendation from former US Sen. George Mitchell. The NCAA had appointed Mitchell to monitor progress of Penn State's reforms to enhance their "security, ethics, governance and compliance structure". The decision was based upon the belief the restored scholarships would provide benefits to student-athletes.<ref name=CDTPennState>{{cite web|title=NCAA modifies sanctions against Penn State, restoring scholarships; may consider lifting bowl ban|url=http://www.centredaily.com/2013/09/24/3804708/breaking-penn-state-trustee-says.html|last=Dawson|first=Mike|publisher=Center Daily Times|date=September 24, 2013}}</ref> Lawsuits were filed against NCAA related to the levy of penalties. In 2014 the NCAA, under the auspices of favorable reports from Mitchell, announced that Penn State would be eligible for the 2014 postseason and all scholarships restored in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11489258/ncaa-drops-postseason-ban-penn-state-nittany-lions|title=NCAA drops postseason ban of Penn State Nittany Lions|date=September 8, 2014|publisher=]}}</ref> The team's wins and records that had been vacated were restored, pending full approval, as part of a legal settlement in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onwardstate.com/2015/01/16/paternos-wins-restored-and-consent-decree-replaced-in-corman-settlement/ |access-date=November 1, 2015|date=January 16, 2015|first1=Zach |last1=Berger |publisher=Onward State |title=Corman Settlement: Paterno's Wins Restored and Consent Decree Replaced }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12179571/joe-paterno-111-wins-were-vacated-restored|publisher=]|access-date=November 1, 2015|date=January 16, 2015|title=Joe Paterno is now winningest coach}}</ref>


==Individual award winners== ==Individual award winners==
{{See also|Penn State Nittany Lions football statistical leaders}}

===Retired numbers===
{{see also|List of NCAA football retired numbers}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan=6 style ={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}} | '''Penn State Nittany Lions retired numbers'''
|-
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width=40px| No.
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width= 150px| Player
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width= px| Pos.
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width=100px| Tenure
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width= px| Date ret.
! style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; width= px| Ref.
|-
| '''22''' || ] || ] || 1970–1973 || September 7, 2013 || <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090713aac.html|title=Penn State to Retire Cappelletti's No. 22 Jersey|access-date=2018-06-13|language=en}}</ref>
|}

===Players=== ===Players===
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Heisman Winners|url=http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners#winners-year|work=Heisman Trophy|publisher=HeismanTrophy.com|access-date=April 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801004040/http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners#winners-year|archive-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ]
*''']'''
:] – 1959
:] – ]
:] – 1969
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Maxwell Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/maxwell.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ]
:] – ]
:] – ]
:] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Walter Camp Player of the YearAward Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Sammy Baugh Trophy Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/baugh.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Chuck Bednarik Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/bednarik.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ], ] :] – ], ]
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''
{{col-2}}
:] – ]
*''']'''
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Fred Biletnikoff Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/biletnikoff.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ]
:] – ] (inaugural winner)
*''']'''
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Dick Butukus Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/butkus.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
{{col-2}}
*''']'''
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Rimington Trophy Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/rimington.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Vince Lombardi Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/lombardi.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ]
*''']'''
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Hendricks Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/hendricks.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Davey O'Brien Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/obrien.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=John Outland Trophy Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/outland.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Doak Walker Award Winners|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|publisher=USA Today Sports|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Chicago Tribune's Silver Football history|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/30/chicago-tribunes-silver-football-history/|access-date=April 10, 2013|newspaper=]|date=November 30, 2012}}</ref>
*''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
:] - ], ]
*''']'''
:] – ]
*''']'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Penn State's Tyler Warren Named College Football's Tight End of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-s-tyler-warren-named-college-football-s-tight-end-of-the-year-01jeyv4y76gb |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Penn State Nittany Lions On SI |language=en-US}}</ref>
:] – ]
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


Line 653: Line 731:
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ] :] – ]
*'''AT&T-ESPN Coach of the Year'''
:] – ]
*''']'''
:] - ], ], ]
:] – ]
:] - ]
*''']''' *''']'''
:] – ], ] :] – ], ]
*''']''' *''']'''
:] – ], ], ] :] – ], ], ]
{{col-2}}
*''']''' *''']'''
:] – ], ], ] :] – ], ], ]
*''']'''
{{col-2}}
:] – ]
*''']''' *''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
:] – ]
*''']''' *''']'''
:] – ] :] – ]
*'''] *''']'''
:] – ], ], ] :] – ], ], ]
*''']'''
:] - ]

{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


===Other awards=== ===Other awards===
*''']''' – 1947, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] *''']''' – 1947, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]


==College Football Hall of Fame inductees== ==Hall of Fame==

===Pro Football Hall of Fame===
{{see also|Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
]]]
]]]
Penn State is one of 11 schools with five or more inductees in the ].<ref name="pro football hof">{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.html|title=Hall of Famers by College|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=November 5, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071021025213/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 21, 2007}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Name|Position|NFL team(s)|Inducted}}
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 1988
|-
| ] || ] || ], ] || 1990
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 1964
|-
| ] || ]/] || ] || 1975
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 2001
|-
| ] || ] || ], ] || 2013
|}

===College Football Hall of Fame===
{{see also|College Football Hall of Fame}} {{see also|College Football Hall of Fame}}


Including former head coach Joe Paterno, 22 Nittany Lion players and coaches have been selected for the ].<ref name="college football hof">{{cite web|url=http://collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?name=&school=penn+state&startyear=&endyear=&inductyear=&position=&sortby=name&submitted=1|title=Hall of Famers by College|publisher=College Football Hall of Fame |accessdate=November 5, 2007}}</ref> Including former head coach Joe Paterno, 26 Nittany Lion players and coaches have been selected for the ].<ref name="college football hof">{{cite web|url=http://collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?name=&school=penn+state&startyear=&endyear=&inductyear=&position=&sortby=name&submitted=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121203916/http://collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?name=&school=penn+state&startyear=&endyear=&inductyear=&position=&sortby=name&submitted=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2007|title=Hall of Famers by College|publisher=College Football Hall of Fame|access-date=November 5, 2007}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|Name|Position|Inducted}}
! Name !! Position !! Year inducted
|-
| ] || ] || 2022
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1954 | ] || ] || 1954
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1993 | ] || ] || 1993
|-
| ] || ] || 2018
|-
| ] || ] || 2014
|- |-
| ] || ] || 2005 | ] || ] || 2005
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1973 | ] || ] || 1973
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1990 | ] || ] || 1990
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1954 | ] || ] || 1954
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1954 | ] || ] || 1954
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1971 | ] || ] || 1971
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1989 | ] || ] || 1989
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1986 | ] || ] || 1986
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1957 | ] || ] || 1957
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1974 | ] || ] || 1974
|- |-
| ] || ] || 2004 | ] || ] || 2004
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1995 | ] || ] || 1995
|- |-
| ] || ] || 2007 | ] || ] || 2007
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1987 | ] || ] || 2024
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1987
| ] || ]/] || 2001
|-
| ] || ]/] || 2001
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1997 | ] || ] || 1997
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1985 | ] || ] || 1985
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1976 | ] || ] || 1976
|- |-
| ] || ] || 2009 | ] || ] || 2009
|- |-
| ] || ] || 1973 | ] || ] || 1973
|} |}


==Future opponents==
==Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees==
{{see also|Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
Penn State is one of 11 schools with five or more inductees in the ].<ref name="pro football hof">{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.html|title=Hall of Famers by College|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate=November 5, 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071021025213/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = October 21, 2007}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#FFFFFF;" | Year
|-
! style="background:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#FFFFFF;" colspan="3" | Non-conference opponents
! Name !! Position !! NFL team(s) !! Year inducted
! style="background:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#FFFFFF;" colspan="5" | Big Ten home games
|-
! style="background:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#FFFFFF;" colspan="5" | Big Ten away games
| ] || ] || ] || 1988
|-
| ] || ] || ], ] || 1990
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 1964
|-
| ] || ]/] || ] || 1975
|-
| ] || ] || ] || 2001
|}


<!-- Big Ten will have a blank column in either the Home or Away games since it is using a nine-game conference schedule-->
==Future schedules==
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2012|tv=}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/01/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]<ref name="ohio 2012">{{cite web|url=http://macreportonline.com/index.php/20090302675/Football/Bobcats-to-renew-series-with-Marshall.html|title=Bobcats to renew series with Marshall |last=Ruthenberg|first=Dave|publisher=MAC Report Online|date=March 2, 2009|accessdate=March 2, 2009}}</ref>
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/08/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]<ref name="virginia 2012 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07157/791791-143.stm|title=Football: PSU adds Virginia to future schedule|last=Fittipaldo|first=Ray|publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=June 6, 2007|accessdate=October 18, 2007}}</ref>
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/15/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2012|team=Navy|school=United States Naval Academy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/22/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/29/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/06/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/20/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/27/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename = ]
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/3/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/10/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/17/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/24/2012
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}


|-
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2013|tv=}}
! style="background:#{{CollegeSecondaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}};"|2024
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|at West Virginia (8/31)
| date = 08/31/2013
|Bowling Green (9/7)
| time =
|Kent State (9/21)
| w/l =
|Illinois
| nonconf = yes
|UCLA
| homecoming =
|Ohio State
| away =
|Washington
| neutral =
|Maryland
| rank =
|USC
| opponent = vs. {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Syracuse Orange|school=Syracuse University|title=Syracuse}}<ref name="syracuse 2013 2020 2021">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/063010aaa.html|title=Penn State and Syracuse To Continue Rivalry at New Meadowlands Stadium as Part of Three-Game Series|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=June 30, 2010|accessdate=June 30, 2010}}</ref>
|Wisconsin
| opprank =
|Purdue
| site_stadium = ]
|Minnesota
| site_cityst = ]
|
| gamename =
|-
| tv =
! style="background:#{{CollegeSecondaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}};"|2025
| score =
|Nevada (8/30)
| attend =
|FIU (9/6)
}}
|Villanova (9/13)
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|Indiana
| date = 09/7/2013
|Nebraska
| time =
|Northwestern
| w/l =
|Oregon
| nonconf = yes
|
| homecoming =
|Iowa
| away =
|Michigan State
| neutral =
|Ohio State
| rank =
|Rutgers
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Eastern Michigan Eagles|school=Eastern Michigan University|title=Eastern Michigan}}
|UCLA
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/14/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Virginia Cavaliers|school=University of Virginia|title=Virginia}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = Sate College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/21/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Kent State Golden Flashes|school=Kent State University|title=Kent State}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/05/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Indiana Hoosiers|school=University of Indiana|title=Indiana}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/12/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Michigan Wolverines|school=University of Michigan|title=Michigan}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/26/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Ohio State Buckeyes|school=Ohio State University|title=Ohio State}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename = ]
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/02/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|school=University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|title=Illinois}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/09/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Minnesota Golden Gophers|school=University of Minnesota|title=Minnesota}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename = ]
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/16/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Purdue Boilermakers|school=Purdue University|title=Purdue}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/23/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/30/2013
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2013|team=Wisconsin Badgers|school=University of Wisconsin–Madison|title=Wisconsin}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}


|-
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2014|tv=}}
! style="background:#{{CollegeSecondaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}};"|2026
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|Marshall (9/5)
| date = 08/30/2014
|at Temple (9/12)
| time =
|Buffalo (9/19)
| w/l =
|Minnesota
| nonconf = yes
|Purdue
| homecoming =
|Rutgers
| away =
|USC
| neutral =
|Wisconsin
| rank =
|Maryland
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Temple Owls|school=Temple University|title=Temple}}<ref name="temple 2014 2015 2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092010aaa.html|title=Penn State-Temple Gridiron Series To Continue|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=September 20, 2010|accessdate=September 20, 2010}}</ref>
|Michigan
| opprank =
|Northwestern
| site_stadium = ]
|Wisconsin
| site_cityst = ]
|
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/06/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Akron Zips|school=University of Akron|title=Akron}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/13/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|school=Rutgers University|title=Rutgers}}<ref name="rutgers 2014 2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041609aag.html|title=Penn State and Rutgers to Renew Football Series in 2014–15|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=April 16, 2009|accessdate=April 16, 2009}}</ref>
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/20/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/27/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Minnesota Golden Gophers|school=University of Minnesota|title=Minnesota}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/11/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = ]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/18/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Indiana Hoosiers|school=University of Indiana|title=Indiana}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 10/25/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Michigan Wolverines|school=University of Michigan|title=Michigan}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/01/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Purdue Boilermakers|school=Purdue University|title=Purdue}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/15/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Ohio State Buckeyes|school=Ohio State University|title=Ohio State}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename = ]
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/22/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|school=University of Illinois|title=Illinois}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 11/29/2014
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2014|team=Wisconsin Badgers|school=University of Wisconsin–Madison|title=Wisconsin}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}


|-
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2015|tv=}}
! style="background:#{{CollegeSecondaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}};"|2027
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|Syracuse (9/4)
| date = 09/05/2015
|Delaware (9/11)
| time =
|Temple (9/18)
| w/l =
|Maryland
| nonconf = yes
|Michigan
| homecoming =
|Michigan State
| rank =
|Washington
| away =
|
| neutral =
|Illinois
| opprank =
|Indiana
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2015|team=Temple Owls|school=Temple University|title=Temple}}<ref name="temple 2014 2015 2016" /><ref name="buffalo game schedule change">{{cite news|title=Penn State football schedules a rematch in 2015|url=http://articles.mcall.com/2011-07-14/sports/mc-penn-state-sports-0714-20110714_1_penn-state-schedules-week|accessdate=9 May 2012|newspaper=Morning Call|date=14 July 2011}}</ref>
|Oregon
| site_stadium = ]
|Purdue
| site_cityst = ]
|Wisconsin
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/12/2015
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| rank =
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2015|team=Buffalo Bulls|school=University of Buffalo|title=Buffalo}}<ref name="buffalo game schedule change" /><ref name="buffalo psu 2015">{{cite web|title=Bulls to Face Penn State in 2015|url=http://www.buffalobulls.com/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/20110713zmoina|publisher=buffalobulls.com|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref>
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/19/2015
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| rank =
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2015|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|school=Rutgers University|title=Rutgers}}<ref name="rutgers 2014 2015" />
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = State College, PA
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =


|-
}}
! style="background:#{{CollegeSecondaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}}; color:#{{CollegePrimaryHex|Penn State Nittany Lions}};"|2028
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}
|Ball State (9/2)
|at Syracuse (9/9)
|UMass (9/16)
|Indiana
|Iowa
|Ohio State
|Oregon
|UCLA
|Michigan State
|Nebraska
|Rutgers
|USC
|
|}


<ref>{{Cite web |title=Future Penn State Football Schedules |url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/penn-state/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=FBSchedules.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Big Ten Conference Announces Future Football Schedule Formats for 2024-28 |url=https://bigten.org/fb/article/blt39fc5a9dd81251cf/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2016|tv=}}
<!--Copy the above section as many time as necessary to fill in the years-->
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/10/2016
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2016|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|school=University of Pittsburgh|title=Pittsburgh}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/17/2016
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| rank =
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2016|team=Temple Owls|school=Temple University|title=Temple}}<ref name="temple 2014 2015 2016" />
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =


<!--Link team names if desired. For instance, link Duke by finding Duke Blue Devils football-->
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}


==See also==
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2017|tv=}}
* ]
{{CFB Schedule Entry
* ]
| date = 09/17/2017
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2017|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|school=University of Pittsburgh|title=Pittsburgh}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =

}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}

{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2020|tv=}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/19/2020
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2020|team=Syracuse Orange|school=Syracuse University|title=Syracuse}}<ref name="syracuse 2013 2020 2021" />
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =

}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}

{{CFB Schedule Start|time=|rank=|ranklink=no|rankyear=2021|tv=}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = 09/18/2021
| time =
| w/l =
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2021|team=Syracuse Orange|school=Syracuse University|title=Syracuse}}<ref name="syracuse 2013 2020 2021" />
| opprank =
| site_stadium = ]
| site_cityst = ]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score =
| attend =

}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=|poll=|timezone=]}}

==Charity and awareness efforts==
The Penn State football team has worked in coordination with Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness and funds for the Kidney Cancer Association. In 2003 the team turned their annual weight-lifting competition into a fund-raiser when a player’s father was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. The event that is now known as Lift for Life, has raised more than $225,000 since its inception.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pennstate.upliftingathletes.org|title=Penn State Uplifting Athletes|publisher=Scott Shirley, Uplifting Athletes|accessdate=June 16, 2008}}</ref>

==Penn State football radio affiliates==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
* ]-AM (790) ]
* ]-AM (1430) ]
* ]-FM (104.9) ]
* ] (103.1) ]
* ] (1600) ]
* ] (100.9) ]
* ]-AM (680) ]
* ]-FM (93.1) ]
* ] AM (900) ]
* ]-FM (95.9) ]
* ] (100.5) ]
* ]-FM (102.9) ]
* ]-AM (1450) ]
* ]-AM (1450) ]
* ]-AM (1320) ]
* ]-AM (1240) ]
* ]-AM (1280) ]
* ]-FM (93.5) ]
{{col-3}}
* ]-AM (1300) ]
* ]-FM (103.5) ]
* ] AM (1490) ]
* ]-AM (1490) ]
* ]-AM (1440) ]
* ]-AM (1270) ]
* ]-FM (95.7) ]
* ] FM (92.3) ]
* ]-AM (1490) ]
* ]-FM (98.3) ]
* ]-AM (1280) ]
* ]-AM (1160) New York, NY
* ]-FM (96.7) ]
* ]-AM (990) ]
* ]-AM (1410) ]
* ]-FM (101.9) ]
* ]-AM (1360) ]
{{col-3}}
* ] (92.3) ]
* ]-AM (1340) ]
* ]-AM (910) ]
* ]-AM (1280) ]
* ]-FM (95.3) ]
* ]-AM (990) ]
* ] AM (1450) ]
* ]-FM (93.7) ]
* ]-AM (1070) ]
* ]-AM (1230) ]
* ]-FM (100.3) ]
* ]-FM (100.7) ]
* ]-AM (1340) ]
* ]-FM (104.3) ]
* ] (104.5) ]
* ]-AM (980) ]
* ]-FM (102.7) ]
* ] AM (910) ]
* GoPSUsports.com (Internet) Worldwide<ref>http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/footbl-radio-affiliates.html PSU Network Affiliates</ref>
{{col-end}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category}}
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Latest revision as of 16:49, 5 January 2025

American football team

Penn State Nittany Lions football
2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
First season1887; 138 years ago
Athletic directorPatrick Kraft
Head coachJames Franklin
11th season, 101–41 (.711)
StadiumBeaver Stadium
(capacity: 106,572)
Field surfaceKentucky Bluegrass
LocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast (2014–2023)
Past conferencesIndependent (1887–1890, 1892–1992)
PIFA (1891)
All-time record921–403–37 (.690)
Bowl record32–20–2 (.611)
Playoff appearances1 (2024)
Playoff record2–0
Claimed national titles2 (1982, 1986)
Unclaimed national titles5 (1911, 1912, 1969, 1981, 1994)
Conference titles5 (PIFA 1891, Big Ten 1994, 2005, 2008, 2016)
Division titles2 (2011, 2016)
RivalriesMaryland (rivalry)
Michigan (rivalry)
Michigan State (rivalry)
Minnesota (trophy)
Ohio State (rivalry)
Pitt (rivalry)
Syracuse (rivalry)
West Virginia (rivalry)
Heisman winnersJohn Cappelletti – 1973
Consensus All-Americans44
Current uniform
ColorsBlue and white
   
Fight songFight On, State
MascotNittany Lion
Marching bandPenn State Blue Band
OutfitterNike
Websitegopsusports.com

The Penn State Nittany Lions team represents the Pennsylvania State University in college football. The Nittany Lions compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference, which they joined in 1993 after playing as an Independent from 1892 to 1992.

Established in 1887, the Nittany Lions have achieved numerous on-field successes, including two consensus national championships in 1982 and 1986; four Big Ten Conference Championships in 1994, 2005, 2008, and 2016; 13 undefeated seasons in 1887, 1894, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1920, 1921, 1947, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994; and 53 appearances in college bowl games, with an all-time post-season bowl record of 32–20–2. The team ranks seventh among NCAA Division I college football programs in all-time total wins.

The Nittany Lions play their home games at Beaver Stadium, located on-campus in University Park, Pennsylvania.

History

See also: List of Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons

Early history (1887–1949)

Penn State team in 1903

The first recorded game in Penn State football history occurred on November 12, 1881, when Penn State traveled to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to play Bucknell, known until 1886 as the University at Lewisburg. Penn State won 9–0, which was nine goals to none. At the time, this was really a game of "American rugby". The father of American football, Walter Camp, did not develop the "scrimmage", the "first down" and the "gridiron" (yard markings) until 1882. Although this game was reported in two State College newspapers and the Mirror (University at Lewisburg campus newspaper), Bucknell denies that this game ever happened. Penn State did not field teams from 1882 through 1886. Penn State played its first season in 1887, but had no head coach for their first five years, from 1887 to 1891. The teams played its home games on the Old Main lawn on campus in State College, Pennsylvania. They compiled a 12–8–1 record in these seasons, playing as an independent from 1887 to 1890.

In 1891, the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association (PIFA) was formed. It consisted of Bucknell (University at Lewisburg), Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Haverford, Penn State and Swarthmore. Lafayette and Lehigh were excluded because it was felt they would dominate the Association. Penn State won the championship with a 4–1–0 record. Bucknell's record was 3–1–1 (losing to Franklin & Marshall and tying Dickinson). The Association was dissolved prior to the 1892 season.

George W. Hoskins, Penn State's first head football coach

George W. Hoskins was the first head football coach at Penn State. He posted a 17–4–4 record in his from 1892 to 1895 as head coach, and his .760 winning percentage ranks highest in program history. His first team played its home game on the Old Main lawn on campus in State College, Pennsylvania, before the 500-seat Beaver Field opened in 1893. He was succeeded by Samuel B. Newton, who posted a 12–14 (.462) record in three seasons, 1896–1898. Sam Boyle coached for only one year in 1899 and compiled a 4–6–1 record (.409). Pop Golden coached the Nittany Lions for three seasons from 1900 to 1902, tallying a record of 16–12–1 (.569). Daniel A. Reed took over for the 1903 season and went 5–3 (.625). Tom Fennell coached the Nittany Lions for five seasons from 1904 to 1908, posting a 33–17–1 (.657) record.

Coach Hugo Bezdek and the Nittany Lion mascot in the 1920s

In 1907 the school adopted the Nittany Lion mascot, a mountain lion named after nearby Mount Nittany. An early mascot was "Old Coaly", a mule that hauled stone for the original Old Main (completed in 1863 and demolished in 1929). Bill Hollenback took over the Nittany Lions as head coach for the 1909 season and went undefeated at 5–0–2, but left for Missouri for 1910. Bill's older brother Jack Hollenback took over for the 1910 season and went 5–2–1 (.688), but Bill returned to Penn State from 1911 to 1914. Bill went 23–9–2 in his second tenure for a combined record of 28–9–4 (.732). In 1911 and 1912, his teams went 8–0–1 and 8–0 and were awarded retroactive national championships by the National Championship Foundation which are recognized by the NCAA. Head coach Dick Harlow brought a new form of defense, trying to go in-between or around offensive blockers rather than try to overpower them. Harlow's Nittany Lions compiled a 20–8 (.714) record in his three seasons (1915–1917) and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach for his accomplishments.

Hugo Bezdek was Penn State's head football coach for 12 seasons and was the Nittany Lions' first athletics director. Bezdek posted a 65–30–11 record, which included two undefeated seasons and a berth in the 1922 Rose Bowl, a game they lost. Bezdek's Nittany Lions posted a losing record in only two of Bezdek's seasons, going 1–2–1 in 1918 and 3–5–1 in 1928. Bezdek retired after the 1929 season and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1954. Bob Higgins returned to his alma mater and served as Penn State's head football coach for 19 seasons. He compiled a 91–57–11 overall record, which included 11 winning seasons and only five losing seasons. Higgins' 1947 team tied SMU in the Cotton Bowl. Higgins was forced to retire due to poor health following the 1948 season. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1954. For one season, Joe Bedenk, also a Penn State alum, served as the Nittany Lions' head football coach. He was promoted from offensive line coach after the retirement of his predecessor. Bedenk posted a 5–4 record in his 1949, his lone season as head coach, before requesting to return to his previous post as offensive line coach.

Rip Engle era (1950–1965)

Rip Engle came to Penn State from Brown. Engle posted a 104–48–4 record during his 16-season tenure as head coach and developed a game known as Angleball as a way for his players to maintain fitness in the off-season. Engle never had a losing season at Penn State, and his 5–5 final season was his only non-winning season. His 1959 and 1960 Nittany Lions teams won the Liberty Bowl, while his 1961 and 1962 teams reached the Gator Bowl, winning the first and losing the second. Engle retired following the 1965 season and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1973.

Joe Paterno era (1966–2011)

Joe Paterno, head coach from 1966 to 2011

Penn State assistant Joe Paterno was promoted to head coach following the retirement of Engle. Paterno spent 46 seasons as the head football coach, the longest tenure of any head coach in the FBS, and 16 more seasons as an assistant, making his 62 total years coaching at Penn State the most of any coach at any school. Under Paterno, Penn State played as an Independent from 1966 to 1992, and he continued to coach them when they joined the Big Ten Conference in 1993–2011. He also served as Penn State's athletic director from 1980 to 1982. His final record is 409–136–3. His teams won national championships in 1982 and 1986, posted non-losing records in all seasons but five, and appeared in 37 bowl games with 24 wins. His teams also won the Orange Bowl in 1968, 1969, 1973 and 2005; the Fiesta Bowl in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996; the Sugar Bowl in 1982; and the Rose Bowl in 1994. In June 1990, Penn State's athletics program, after a century as a Division I-A independent, joined the Big Ten Conference. Beaver Stadium was expanded six times during Paterno's tenure. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was a major reason why the longtime rule of waiting until retirement to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was changed to any coach over 75 years of age. Players including Kerry Collins, Charlie Zapiec, Matt Millen, Shane Conlan, Jack Ham, Dennis Onkotz, Franco Harris, Greg Buttle, Keith Dorney, John Cappelletti, Curt Warner, Larry Johnson, LaVar Arrington and Ted Kwalick played collegiately for him. He won numerous coaching and sportsman honors during his long run at Penn State.

Paterno has the most wins in FBS football (409).

Following the Pennsylvania Attorney General's release of a grand jury summary of child sexual abuse charges involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky, the Penn State board of trustees fired Paterno in November 2011. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley finished out the 2011 season as interim head coach after Paterno's ouster. In July 2012, the NCAA decided to vacate all of the team's wins from 1998 to 2011. Paterno's statue outside Beaver Stadium was also taken down. The revised record dropped Paterno from first to twelfth on the all-time wins list, but on January 16, 2015, the NCAA restored Paterno's vacated wins, and thus his record as the winningest FBS football coach. To many he is "The best Penn State head coach ever."

Bill O'Brien (2012–2013)

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was hired as the 15th head football coach at Penn State, taking over the Nittany Lions football program in January 2012. Early in O'Brien's tenure, the NCAA sanctioned Penn State with a four-season postseason ban and a loss of 40 scholarships due to the child sex abuse scandal. O'Brien posted an 8–4 record in his first season as head coach of the Nittany Lions.

O'Brien's 2013 Nittany Lions team posted a 7–5 record in the second of four years they were ineligible for the postseason. In January 2014, Bill O'Brien left Penn State to accept the head coaching position with the NFL's Houston Texans.

James Franklin era (2014–present)

Coach James Franklin

On January 11, 2014, Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin was hired as the 16th Penn State head football coach. He is the first African American head football coach at Penn State. In Franklin's first year, the NCAA lifted Penn State's postseason ban and the Nittany Lions were bowl eligible. The Nittany Lions were named to the Pinstripe Bowl where they won against Boston College on December 27, 2014, at Yankee Stadium.

To start off the 2015 season, Penn State lost to Temple 27–10, its first loss to the Owls since 1941. The loss was followed by victories against Buffalo, Rutgers, San Diego State, Army and Indiana. The Nittany Lions then lost to Ohio State 38–10 in Columbus before winning, 31–30, at Maryland. The victory against Maryland brought the Nittany Lions to six wins, making them bowl eligible for the second year since the postseason ban was lifted. Penn State then shut out the Illinois 39–0 in the second to last home game of the 2015 season. They then lost to Michigan in Happy Valley 28–16 and to Michigan State 55–16 at MSU. The win–loss record for Penn State in the 2015 regular season was 7–5, and 7–6 after a loss to Georgia in the Taxslayer Bowl in Jacksonville.

The 2016 season featured an upset over No. 2 Ohio State during a "White-Out" in State College. Following the win, Penn State was ranked 24th in the AP Poll, its first ranking since 2011. Penn State finished the regular season 10–2, 8–1 in Big Ten play. After winning a tiebreaker against rivals Ohio State, Penn State went on to claim the Big Ten East title and a spot in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis against Big Ten West champion Wisconsin, which they won after trailing 28–14 in the first half. They outscored the Badgers 24–3 in the second half to take home the Nittany Lions' fourth Big Ten Title. On August 18, 2017, Penn State announced that Franklin signed a six-year contract extension worth $5.738 million a year. That deal includes retention bonuses paid at the end of each year of the contract. "My family and I are very thankful to be a part of the Penn State community," Franklin said in a statement. "I am pleased with the progress our program has made in the community, in the classroom and on the field. I look forward to diligently working with President Barron and Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour on implementing a plan that puts our University and our student-athletes in the best position to compete on the field and in life." In addition to the guaranteed money, Franklin's contract extension has incentives including $800,000 for a national title, $400,000 for a College Football Playoff appearance and $350,000 for winning the Big Ten Championship Game. His incentives are capped at $1 million per year.

Penn State went to 7–0 to begin the 2017 season, before losing on consecutive weekends to Ohio State and Michigan State. Penn State finished the regular season with wins over Rutgers Nebraska and Maryland. Penn State capped the 2017 season at the Fiesta Bowl, beating Washington, 35–28.

In 2018 the Lions went 9–4 with a loss to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl. The 2019 season was spectacular for Penn State going 11–2 with the losses only to Minnesota by 26–31 and to Ohio State and beat American Athletic Conference Champion Memphis who at that time was 12–1. Penn State beat Memphis 53–39 in the Cotton Bowl.

The 2020 season was James Franklin's first losing season with the Nittany Lions. They started off the season with COVID-19 pandemic spring cancelations. Penn State traveled to Bloomington to take on Indiana where they lost in overtime 35–36 with Michael Penix Jr.'s pendulum touch two-point conversion winning the Game for Indiana. The Nittany Lions took on Ohio State at home with no whiteout due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State lost 25–38. The Nittany Lions took on Maryland who they had not lost to since 2014. The Terrapins beat Penn State 19–35 in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions traveled to Nebraska to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers where the Nittany Lions comeback fell short and lost 23–30. The Nittany Lions fought the Iowa Hawkeyes but lost 21–41 giving Penn State its first ever 0–5 start in its history. The Nittany Lions, determined to win, traveled to Ann Arbor to defeat the Michigan Wolverines. Penn State got its first victory of the season 27–17 going 1–5. Penn State took on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Piscataway where they won again 23–7 thus giving them a 2–5 record. Penn State went home to take on the Michigan State. They trailed 10–21 at halftime but rallied back to win 39–24 getting a 3–5 record. For the Big Ten Championship week Penn State hosted the Fighting Illini at home. Penn State won in rout 56–21 going to a 4–5 record. Penn State players voted to not accept a bowl invitation so their final record was 4–5. A major offseason change was replacing first-year offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca with Texas offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. James Franklin is currently under a ten-year $75,000,000 contract (as of 2021).

In 2021, Penn State improved upon its lackluster 2020 season going 7–6. The Nittany Lions finished the season unranked and with a 4–5 Big Ten Conference record. They went 2–3 on the road while maintaining a winning 5–2 record at Beaver Stadium. The season started strong on September 4, 2021, when Penn State defeated the #12 ranked Wisconsin Badgers football team. They won their next 4 games including a 28–20 win over the #22 Auburn Tigers football team. Then they began to struggle after a close 23–20 loss to the #3 Iowa Hawkeyes on the road October 9, 2021. On October 23, 2021, Penn State battled the Illinois Fighting Illini through an NCAA record 9 overtimes, eventually losing 20–18. The teams both scored fieldgoals in the first 2 overtimes, tying the score 16–16. Neither team scored until the 8th overtime when Illinois finally broke the stalemate, quickly followed by a run from Penn State's Noah Cain. Penn State did not score during its first conversion attempt in overtime 9, leaving the door open for Illinois to eventually score and win the game. The Nittany Lions' only subsequent wins came against Maryland (31–14) and Rutgers (28–0). They closed out the 2021 season playing Arkansas at the Outback Bowl, losing the game 24–10. Penn State has a strong 2022 campaign losing to only Michigan and Ohio State and defeating Pac 12 champion Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl.

Conference affiliations

Championships

National championships

Year Coach Selectors Record Bowl Final AP Final Coaches
1982 Joe Paterno AP, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, FB News, Football Research, FW, Helms, Litkenhous, Matthews, NCF, NFF, The New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, Sagarin (ELO-Chess), Sporting News, UPI/coaches, USA/CNN 11–1 Won Sugar Bowl No. 1 No. 1
1986 Joe Paterno AP, Billingsley, FACT, FB News, FW, Matthews, NCF, NFF, Sagarin (ELO-Chess)*, Sporting News, UPI, USA/CNN 12–0 Won Fiesta Bowl No. 1 No. 1

Penn State has also been named national champions on seven occasions by NCAA-designated major selectors. Penn State claims the 1982 and 1986 championships under Joe Paterno's tenure, both of which are consensus national championships.

Conference championships

Historically, Penn State played as an independent from 1887 through 1890, then in 1891 as a member of the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association Penn State won the PIFA championship with a 4–1–0 PIFA record, losing only to Bucknell (Bucknell's record was 3–1–1). The PIFA dissolved prior to the 1892 season. Penn State then played as an independent again until joining the Big Ten Conference in 1990 and beginning play in 1993. Penn State then won its first Big Ten championship in 1994, they won two more in 2005 and 2008, and they won a fourth under James Franklin in 2016.

Year Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1891 Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association No coach 6–2 4–1
1994 Big Ten Conference Joe Paterno 12–0 8–0
2005† Big Ten Conference Joe Paterno 11–1 7–1
2008† Big Ten Conference Joe Paterno 11–2 7–1
2016 Big Ten Conference James Franklin 11–3 8–1

† Co-champions

Division championships

Year Division Coach CG Opponent CG result
2011† Big Ten – Leaders Joe Paterno N/A lost tiebreaker to Wisconsin
2016† Big Ten – East James Franklin Wisconsin W 38–31

† Co-champions

Honored teams

The suite boxes on the east side of Beaver Stadium, with the highlighted years (undefeated and championship seasons) added in 2006

Before the 2006 season, Beaver Stadium was updated and seasons of note were honored by being listed in front of the suite façade. The following seasons are highlighted;

Year Coach Record Notes
1894 George W. Hoskins 6–0–1 Undefeated Record
1909 Bill Hollenback 5–0–2 Undefeated Record
1911 Bill Hollenback 8–0–1 Undefeated Record
1912 Bill Hollenback 8–0 Perfect Season
1920 Hugo Bezdek 7–0–2 Undefeated Record
1921 Hugo Bezdek 8–0–2 Undefeated Record
1947 Bob Higgins 9–0–1 Undefeated Record
1968 Joe Paterno 11–0 Perfect Season
1969 Joe Paterno 11–0 Perfect Season
1973 Joe Paterno 12–0 Perfect Season
1982 Joe Paterno 11–1 National Champions
1986 Joe Paterno 12–0 Perfect Season, National Champions
1994 Joe Paterno 12–0 Perfect Season, Big Ten Champions
2005 Joe Paterno 11–1 Big Ten Champions
2008 Joe Paterno 11–2 Big Ten Champions
2012 Bill O'Brien 8–4
2016 James Franklin 11–3 Big Ten Champions

Bowl games

Main article: List of Penn State Nittany Lions bowl games

Penn State has earned invitations to 53 bowl games. The Nittany Lions have compiled a bowl record of 31–20–2 (.604), including a 17–7–1 (.700) record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Cotton).

Coach Joe Paterno was responsible for most of these bids and victories, compiling more appearances (37) than any other coach in college football en route to his bowl record of 24–12–1 (.662). Paterno also has a record of 14–5 (.737) in "major" bowls and is the only coach to have won all five major college bowls during his career.

Season Coach Bowl Opponent Result
1922 Hugo Bezdek Rose Bowl USC L 3–14
1947 Bob Higgins Cotton Bowl Classic SMU T 13–13
1959 Rip Engle Liberty Bowl Alabama W 7–0
1960 Liberty Bowl Oregon W 14–12
1961 Gator Bowl Georgia Tech W 30–15
1962 Gator Bowl Florida L 7–17
1967 Joe Paterno Gator Bowl Florida State T 17–17
1968 Orange Bowl Kansas W 15–14
1969 Orange Bowl Missouri W 10–3
1971 Cotton Bowl Classic Texas W 30–6
1972 Sugar Bowl Oklahoma L 0–14
1973 Orange Bowl LSU W 16–9
1974 Cotton Bowl Classic Baylor W 41–20
1975 Sugar Bowl Alabama L 6–13
1976 Gator Bowl Notre Dame L 9–20
1977 Fiesta Bowl Arizona State W 42–30
1978 Sugar Bowl Alabama L 7–14
1979 Liberty Bowl Tulane W 9–6
1980 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State W 31–19
1981 Fiesta Bowl USC W 26–10
1982 Sugar Bowl Georgia W 27–23
1983 Aloha Bowl Washington W 13–10
1985 Orange Bowl Oklahoma L 10–25
1986 Fiesta Bowl Miami (FL) W 14–10
1987 Citrus Bowl Clemson L 10–35
1989 Holiday Bowl BYU W 50–39
1990 Blockbuster Bowl Florida State L 17–24
1991 Fiesta Bowl Tennessee W 42–17
1992 Blockbuster Bowl Stanford L 3–24
1993 Citrus Bowl Tennessee W 31–13
1994 Rose Bowl Oregon W 38–20
1995 Outback Bowl Auburn W 43–14
1996 Fiesta Bowl Texas W 38–15
1997 Citrus Bowl Florida L 6–21
1998 Outback Bowl Kentucky W 26–14
1999 Alamo Bowl Texas A&M W 24–0
2002 Capital One Bowl Auburn L 9–13
2005 Orange Bowl Florida State W 26–23
2006 Outback Bowl Tennessee W 20–10
2007 Alamo Bowl Texas A&M W 24–17
2008 Rose Bowl USC L 24–38
2009 Capital One Bowl LSU W 19–17
2010 Outback Bowl Florida L 24–37
2011 Tom Bradley TicketCity Bowl Houston L 14–30
2014 James Franklin Pinstripe Bowl Boston College W 31–30
2015 TaxSlayer Bowl Georgia L 17–24
2016 Rose Bowl USC L 49–52
2017 Fiesta Bowl Washington W 35–28
2018 Citrus Bowl Kentucky L 24–27
2019 Cotton Bowl Classic Memphis W 53–39
2021 Outback Bowl Arkansas L 10–24
2022 Rose Bowl Utah W 35–21
2023 Peach Bowl Ole Miss L 25–38
2024 Fiesta Bowl Boise State W 31–14

Head coaches

Main article: List of Penn State Nittany Lions head football coaches

James Franklin is the head coach of Penn State since the 2014 season.

Coach Years Seasons Record Pct. Cnf. record Pct. Cnf. Titles Bowls Nat. Titles
No coach 1887–1891 5 12–8–1 .595 4–1–0 .800 1
George Hoskins 1892–1895 4 17–4–4 .760
Samuel Newton 1896–1898 3 12–14–0 .462
Sam Boyle 1899 1 4–6–1 .409
Pop Golden 1900–1902 3 16–12–1 .569
Daniel A. Reed 1903 1 5–3–0 .625
Tom Fennell 1904–1908 5 33–17–1 .657
Bill Hollenback 1909, 1911–1914 5 28–9–4 .732 2
Jack Hollenback 1910 1 5–2–1 .688
Dick Harlow 1915–1917 3 20–8–0 .714
Hugo Bezdek 1918–1929 12 65–30–11 .665 1
Bob Higgins 1930–1948 19 91–57–11 .607 1
Joe Bedenk 1949 1 5–4–0 .556
Rip Engle 1950–1965 16 104–48–4 .679 4
Joe Paterno 1966–2011 45 409–136–3 .749 95–54–0 .638 3 37 2
Tom Bradley 2011 <1 1–3 .250 1–2 .333 1
Bill O'Brien 2012–2013 2 15–9 .625 10–6 .625
James Franklin 2014–present 11 101–41 .711 64–33 .660 1 10

Rivalries

Maryland

Main article: Maryland–Penn State football rivalry

Penn State and Maryland met in briefly interrupted stretches between 1917 and 1993, with a near-consecutive run played all but three years (1976, 1981, and 1983) between 1960 and 1993. However, the one-sided record belies what was often a competitive matchup until its final years. While Maryland only compiled one win and one tie, numerous games were narrowly lost by missed field goals and turnovers. In 1975, a field goal attempt by kicker Mike Sochko hit the upright with under a minute left, and Maryland lost 15–13. Ten years later, the Terps missed three field goals to eventually lose 20–18. After the Nittany Lions' move to the Big Ten Conference in 1993, the series was canceled. However, Maryland ended up joining the Big Ten as well, in 2014, reinstating the rivalry after more than 2 decades of being dormant. Maryland would win the first matchup by a point (20–19) after infamously declining to shake hands with Penn State captains at midfield during the coin toss at Beaver Stadium.

The second meeting as conference foes would be played in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium and would again be decided by a point, this time a Penn State win 31–30. The last four matchups (2016–2019), all victories for Penn State have seen the Nittany Lions outscore the Terrapins by a combined score of 201–20 (38–14, 66–3, 38–3, 59–0). The latest match up was played on November 30, 2024, at Beaver Stadium, with Penn State winning 44–7. Penn State leads the series 44–3–1 through the 2024 season.

Michigan

Main article: Michigan–Penn State football rivalry

Prior to 1993, Penn State had never played against Michigan, but since then many of the games have been competitive duels with shots at a Big Ten title at stake, and subsequently a national championship. Michigan leads the series, 17–10.

Michigan State

Main article: Michigan State–Penn State football rivalry

Since 1993, Penn State has played Michigan State for the Land Grant Trophy. Penn State holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2023 contest. Penn State leads the series, 19–18–1 as of 2024.

Minnesota

Main article: Governor's Victory Bell

When Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, Minnesota was the first conference opponent they played. To commemorate this, the governors of both states commissioned a trophy called the Governor's Victory Bell to landmark this event. Since then, the trophy has traveled hands between the winners of each contest. Penn State leads the series, 11–6.

Ohio State

Main article: Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry

The rivalry began before Penn State was a member of the Big Ten. Penn State won the first four meetings of the series, which were held between 1912 and 1964. Then Ohio State won in 1975 in a game held in Columbus, Ohio and again in 1976 during the first ever matchup between the two teams in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State and Ohio State would meet again in 1980 in their first and only postseason bowl, the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, which Penn State won. After the Fiesta Bowl, the two teams would not meet again until Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Since then, the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have played each other annually. Ohio State leads the series 25–14 through the 2024 season.

Pittsburgh

Main article: Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry

This is a long-standing series between in-state rivals Penn State and Pittsburgh. The rivalry, once one of the fiercest and most important in college football north of the Mason–Dixon line, began on November 6, 1893, at the inaugural game of Beaver Field in State College, and Penn State won the contest 32–0. The first two decades of the series was dominated by Penn State taking 12 of 15 matchups between 1893 and 1912. From 1913 to 1949 Pitt would hold a 26–6–2 advantage, before Rip Engle took over as head coach for Penn State in 1950. With Joe Paterno as an assistant coach, Engle led Penn State to a 9–6–1 record against the Panthers from 1950 to 1965. When Paterno was named head coach in 1965, the next 31 games would swing heavily in the Nittany Lion's favor, holding a 23–7–1 advantage from 1966 to 2000.

The rivalry went on a 15-year hiatus prior to the scheduling of a 4-game series in 2011 that would see Penn State travel to Pittsburgh in 2016 & 2018 with Pitt returning to Happy Valley in 2017 & 2019. The series was branded the Keystone Classic in 2016, which saw Pitt hold on for a thrilling 42–39 victory fending off a fierce fourth quarter comeback that fell short on an interception late in the 4th quarter. The Nittany Lions would take the final three games, winning 33–14 in 2017, 51–6 in 2018, and most recently 17–10 in Beaver Stadium in 2019.

There are no future games scheduled between the two schools, although there is talk of a potential neutral site matchup sometime in the future. The Nittany Lions and Panthers have met on the football field 100 times. Penn State holds a 10-win advantage in the series, 53–43–4, through the 2024 season.

Syracuse

Main article: Penn State–Syracuse football rivalry

The rivalry started in 1922, when Syracuse fought Penn State to a scoreless tie. But it was during the 1950s and 1960s that the rivalry intensified, as it enjoyed a competitive and often controversial string of contests. Syracuse football was led by Ben Schwartzwalder, and Penn State by Rip Engle, then Joe Paterno. From 1950 to 1970, Syracuse won 11 games to Penn State's 10.

After Schwartzwalder retired in 1973, Syracuse floundered. Penn State won 16 straight from 1971 to 1986. Conference realignment and scheduling disagreements also dampened the intensity of the rivalry. Penn State fans and players increasingly turned their attention to the rivalry with Pittsburgh.

In 1987, Coach Dick MacPherson finally led Syracuse to a resounding 48–21 victory over the Nittany Lions in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won again the following year in Happy Valley but lost the last two games before the series was suspended in 1991. The rivalry has since been renewed three times since the series suspension — in 2008, 2009, and 2013. The Nittany Lions won all three of these contests. Penn State leads the series 43–23–5 with the most recent game played in 2013. Next meeting between the two teams is scheduled for September 4, 2027.

West Virginia

Main article: Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry

Penn State and West Virginia have played each other 59 times. The first game was in 1904 when Penn State won that game 34–0. In their most recent encounter on August 31, 2024, Penn State won 34–12 in Morgantown. This series has been dominated by the Nittany Lions who lead the series 50–9–2.

Historic series

Alabama

Main article: Alabama–Penn State football rivalry

Though the Crimson Tide are not as much of a traditional opponent for the Nittany Lions, the two teams are still often considered among the best in the country, claim a combined 20 national titles (of which 18 belong to Alabama), and have met in a bowl game three times. The series began on December 19, 1959, in that year's edition of the Liberty Bowl, a 7–0 win for No. 12 Penn State. Sixteen years later, the Nittany Lions and Crimson Tide met in the 1975 Sugar Bowl, resulting in a 13–6 Tide victory in New Orleans. Perhaps the most notable game between these two teams came four years later, in a 1979 Sugar Bowl rematch, resulting in another Alabama victory. The rivalry was intensified during the 1980s, when the Lions and Tide met in 10 consecutive seasons, all during regular season play. After this time, the rivalry went dormant for two decades before being renewed for a 2-game home-and-home series in 2010 and 2011. Alabama leads the series 10–5 with the last game played in 2011.

Traditions

The White Out

This White Out tradition dates back to a student section white out in 2004 (against Purdue) and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated games during the football season. In recent years, Penn State students have donned white clothes, paint - anything white - to show their solidarity and support for the Nittany Lions. Forming a mass of bouncing and infectious enthusiasm, the students have "Whited Out" Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and other sports venues, making them some of the noisiest and most intimidating stadiums in America.

Beano Cook of ESPN says, "If you aren't impressed with the White Out, you're probably one of those people who think the moon landing was faked."

Nittanyville

Originally named "Paternoville", Nittanyville is a student camp out that occurs every week of a Penn State home football game. The students camp out to support the team and to acquire the best possible seats for the weekend's upcoming game, since seating is first-come, first serve for students. While the name "Paternoville" came about during Penn State's 2005 football season, students have long camped out for first row seats. Prior to 1993, the university distributed non-seat-specific tickets. Starting the same year Penn State football began competition in the Big Ten Conference, students were assigned seats on a first-come-first-serve basis, so that the first students to pass through "Gate A" at the south-east corner of the stadium would be assigned first row seats, and so on down the line. Since then, students have camped out in small to massive numbers in order to guarantee themselves a front row seat to a Penn State home football game.

The 2005 season saw the naming of the tent-city. In anticipation of the 2005 contest between No. 16 Penn State and No. 6 Ohio State, students began camping six days in advance of the game outside the gate so that they would get a first row seat for, arguably, the biggest game of the 2005 season for Penn State. On Tuesday of the week preceding the game, "Paternoville" first appeared. Credited with the naming, freshman Dan Clark and the other students camping with him created a banner reading "Paternoville".

The name stuck, and on Wednesday morning, October 5, 2005, newspapers were already referring to the campsite as "Paternoville". State-wide, regional, and even national media outlets began paying attention to the show in front of Gate A. Local businesses printed t-shirts up for the students, brought truckloads of food, and distributed various things like magazines and small footballs to keep the students occupied. Throughout the week, players, coaches, and many alumni and media personalities paid visits to Paternoville.

On Friday, ESPN's "Cold Pizza" morning show was broadcast from in front of the Bryce Jordan Center, across from the stadium, with some of the cast walking through Paternoville interviewing students and taping their activities, despite the constant drizzle. The next day, ESPN's College Gameday also was broadcast in front of the Bryce Jordan Center, hours before the showdown between the cross-border rivals.

Before noon, the tents were packed away and hundreds of students began to line up for entry into the stadium. That night, in a historic game, the Nittany Lions upset the No. 6 ranked Buckeyes 17–10 in front of a crowd of almost 110,000. The game being decided on a fumble by Ohio State quarterback and future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, caused by Penn State defensive end Tamba Hali and recovered by defensive tackle Scott Paxson. After the final whistle, the students rushed the field.

The Paternoville name continued after the game. Since the original "Paternoville", two other games have garnered comparable camp-outs. They were the 2005 game against the University of Wisconsin Badgers, which was Senior Day for the 2005 season, and the 2006 contest against University of Michigan Wolverines. However, students camp out for every game, not solely the "big" games. On average, about 10–15 tents appear for every game, while the number of tents for the 2005 Ohio State and Wisconsin games and the 2006 Michigan game exceeded 100.

Prior to the 2006 season, the university placed several markers around Beaver Stadium commemorating various traditions related to Penn State football. To the left of Gate A there is a marker for the Penn State "student section" and to the right of the gate there is a marker for "Paternoville".

Since 2006, the practice of camping out has grown every year until 2009, when over 2,000 different students camped out for one or multiple games throughout the season. In 2011, the record was broken because of Penn State's high-powered home schedule, which included SEC powerhouse Alabama and new in-conference foe Nebraska, amongst other teams.

In the summer of 2012, "Paternoville" officially became "Nittanyville". As Coach Paterno was no longer the coach of Penn State's football team, the organization decided that since it was unlikely another coach would stay as long as Coach Paterno had, changing the name for each new coach would be impractical. However, aside from the name, nothing was changed and students continued to support the team and camp out for the primary seats.

Success with Honor

Joe Paterno was widely known for his "grand experiment" in which he challenged his players to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. In 2011, the Nittany Lion football team posted an 87% graduation rate, tied with Stanford for No. 10 overall among the nation's 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions, above the national average of 67%.

The June 2012 conviction of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky on multiple counts of child sexual abuse marred the "Success with Honor" image. President Rodney Erickson, athletics director Dave Joyner, and head football coach Bill O'Brien, all of whom accepted their jobs in the wake of the scandal, have made statements in which they express commitment to maintaining integrity at the university and within the athletics programs.

In 2012, a group of alumni and supporters established a non-profit organization that will build upon the "Success with Honor" motto. Their mission is to promote and support charitable endeavors as well as to inspire others to "Get in the Game." Success with Honor is a Social Network Community that has identified more than 60+ charities. Success with Honor helps individuals to identify and connect with causes they would like to volunteer their skills, time, and/or money to. Similarly, SWH assists charities in finding individuals to meet their current needs.

Uniform

The Nittany Lions playing against the Virginia Cavaliers in 2012 at Scott Stadium: note the simple uniforms of the Nittany Lions during their away games

The team is widely noted for their simple game uniforms. They only wear white pants, and the jerseys are simple blue for home games, and white for away games. The team is only allowed to wear simple black Nike shoes with white calf socks for game days, though blue tights are permitted underneath the white socks for cold weather games. The helmet is white with a blue stripe down the center, and a blue on white "Penn State" sticker covers up the forehead helmet logo. No team logos, conference logos, numbers, or other stickers are permitted on the helmet, though two Nike logos are on facemask visors that some players choose to wear. Penn State has started to wear bowl decals only starting with 1997 Fiesta Bowl. Before that, Penn State always declined the decals so they can play out of their simple game uniforms.

The blue and white uniforms replaced the school's original colors, pink and black, in 1890 after a student referendum. A common legend of the color change is that the original colors faded in the sun. Black became a hue of navy blue and the pink became such a light hue that it appeared white. The historicity of this, however, is very questionable, as evidence of it being the root cause is scarce.

The uniforms became even simpler for the 2011 season, as the white cuffs and collars on the home jerseys and the corresponding blue cuffs and collars on the road jerseys were eliminated, leaving the jerseys solid blue and white, respectively.

In 2012 Penn State started wearing names on their uniforms for the first time as a way to note the players who stuck with the school through the scandal and a blue ribbon in support the victims of child abuse.

In 2013, the Nittany Lion logo was added to the base of the jersey collar along with the Big Ten logo on the right side of the jersey.

Starting in 2015, the names that were added throughout the 2012–14 seasons to honor those who stayed with the program were removed and the team reverted to the traditional nameless jerseys while still retaining the Nittany Lion logo at the base of the jersey collar. The team also began sporting new Nike Elite 51 jerseys which feature a new design on the collars. In addition, the team added the words "Nittany Lions" onto the back of the football helmets.

For the 2017 homecoming game against the Indiana Hoosiers, Penn State broke tradition by donning throwback jerseys in what was dubbed the "Generations of Greatness" game. These uniforms integrated elements from past uniforms, including: numbers on helmets' sides, block uniform numbers, white stripes on sleeves, blue stripes on pants, striped socks, gray facemasks, white cleats, and a few other subtle changes.

Captains

Captains are chosen by the team, with the head coach's approval. Being named a captain is an honor almost always given to a senior, but there are some notable exceptions: Linebacker Sean Lee was named a captain in the beginning of Spring practice in 2008, the beginning of his 4th year with the team. However, he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice, redshirted in 2008, and returned as a captain again in 2009. The most recent example of a "true" junior being named was Paul Posluszny, who was named a captain in both 2005 and 2006, his junior and senior years, respectively. The last time a junior was named captain before Posluszny was in 1968, when Steve Smear and Mike Reid were named captains during their junior years. In 2014, Christian Hackenberg became the first true sophomore to be named team captain.

Linebacker U

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Penn State is referred to as Linebacker U for its reputation of producing outstanding linebackers.

  • Dennis Onkotz was a two-time All American in 1968 and 1969 and played on two undefeated teams.
  • Jack Ham finished his career with 251 tackles, blocked two punts and went on to play on two undefeated teams. Ham later went on to the NFL, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Charlie Zapiec a fourth round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, went on to star in the Canadian Football League as a linebacker with the Montreal Alouettes coached by future NFL Legend Marv Levy. Zapiec switched from offensive guard in his senior year and also received All-American honors; in the two years he started as a guard and the one year as a linebacker, he accumulated 34 wins, including three major bowl victories, while suffering only one loss, the best record for a starter at Penn State.
  • Edward William O'Neil, an American football coach and former professional linebacker, played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). From 1970 to 1973, he played linebacker at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain of the Nittany Lions' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.
  • Greg Buttle was a linebacker during the 1973–1975 seasons, finishing with 305 tackles in his junior and senior year. He was drafted by the New York Jets and is a part of the All Jet team.
  • Shane Conlan was a two-time All-American and defensive MVP of the 1987 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. He was drafted No. 1 by the Bills in 1987, named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to three straight Pro Bowls (1988–90).
  • Lavar Arrington finished with 319 career tackles and 139 tackles for losses. He was later drafted second overall by the Washington Redskins.
  • Cameron Wake (Known as Derek Wake when at Penn State) went on to capture MVP honors for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League before moving on to the Miami Dolphins and leading the National Football League in sacks during the 2010 season.
  • Tamba Hali was the 20th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft and led the AFC in sacks during the 2010 NFL season, helping the Kansas City Chiefs reach the playoffs. He played defensive end during his college career.
  • Paul Posluszny played from 2003 to 2006. Posluszny won the Dick Butkus Award in 2005 and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2005 and 2006. He finished with 372 tackles and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring after 2017 season.
  • Dan Connor finished his career as the all-time leading tackler for Penn State with 419 and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers.
  • Sean Lee graduated from Penn State in 2009 and is an inside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.
  • NaVorro Bowman, drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2010 draft, ranked seventh in the league in tackles in 2011 and was named an AP first team All-Pro for his 2011 campaign. Bowman played for the Oakland Raiders.
  • Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges were "Co-Linebacker U" in 2012, both achieved over 95 tackles and both were drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Micah Parsons, opted out of the 2020 College Football Season He was the first linebacker taken in the 2021 NFL draft, being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick.

2011 child sex abuse scandal

Main article: Penn State child sex abuse scandal

The scandal centered on then retired Penn State football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's sexual assault of two underage boys on or near university property. After a grand jury investigation, Sandusky was indicted on 52 counts of child molestation dating from 1994. The trial started on June 11, 2012, at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and ended on June 22, when the jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 counts. On October 9, 2012, Sandusky was sentenced to 30–60 years in prison. Several high-level school officials were charged with perjury, suspended, or dismissed for allegedly covering up the incidents or failing to notify authorities. School president Graham Spanier was forced to resign, and head football coach Joe Paterno was fired without cause late in the season, while Sandusky maintained his innocence.

Former FBI director Louis Freeh, whose firm was hired by the Penn State Board of Trustees to conduct an investigation, concluded, after ostensibly conducting 400 interviews and reviewing 3.5 million documents, that Paterno, Spanier, Curley and Schultz had "repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large." In an interview on 60 Minutes Sports, the former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Frank Fina, who investigated and prosecuted Sandusky, stated he found no evidence that Paterno participated in a cover-up.

In July 2012, NCAA announced it had fined the Penn State football program $60 million, levied a 4-year ban from bowl games and vacated all the program's 112 wins from 1998 to 2011. The program was originally scheduled to lose 10 scholarships from incoming classes in 2013–16, which would have been a loss of 40 scholarships. In September 2013, the NCAA announced they were restoring 25 of the 40 scholarships to Penn State "ue to Penn State University's continued progress toward ensuring athletics integrity". After losing 10 scholarships from the 2013–2014 incoming class and only having 75 total players on scholarship, Penn State gained five scholarships back for 2014–15, bringing in 20 new players with 80 total on scholarship. Full scholarships were regained for 2016–17. In total they lost only 15 scholarships. The decision to return the scholarships was by the executive committee of the NCAA following a recommendation from former US Sen. George Mitchell. The NCAA had appointed Mitchell to monitor progress of Penn State's reforms to enhance their "security, ethics, governance and compliance structure". The decision was based upon the belief the restored scholarships would provide benefits to student-athletes. Lawsuits were filed against NCAA related to the levy of penalties. In 2014 the NCAA, under the auspices of favorable reports from Mitchell, announced that Penn State would be eligible for the 2014 postseason and all scholarships restored in 2015. The team's wins and records that had been vacated were restored, pending full approval, as part of a legal settlement in 2015.

Individual award winners

See also: Penn State Nittany Lions football statistical leaders

Retired numbers

See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Penn State Nittany Lions retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure Date ret. Ref.
22 John Cappelletti RB 1970–1973 September 7, 2013

Players

John Cappelletti – 1973
Richie Lucas – 1959
Glenn Ressler – 1964
Mike Reid – 1969
John Cappelletti – 1973
Chuck Fusina – 1978
Kerry Collins – 1994
Larry Johnson – 2002
John Cappelletti – 1973
Larry Johnson – 2002
Kerry Collins – 1994
LaVar Arrington – 1999
Paul Posluszny – 2005, 2006
Dan Connor – 2007
John Urschel – 2013
Bobby Engram – 1994 (inaugural winner)
LaVar Arrington – 1999
Paul Posluszny – 2005
A.Q. Shipley – 2008
Bruce Clark – 1978
Carl Nassib – 2015
Carl Nassib – 2015
Todd Blackledge – 1982
Kerry Collins – 1994
Mike Reid – 1969
Larry Johnson – 2002
Kerry Collins – 1994
Michael Robinson – 2005
Daryll Clark – 2009
Saquon Barkley - 2016, 2017
John Urschel – 2013
Tyler Warren – 2024

Coaches

Rip Engle – 1969
Joe Paterno – 2002
  • AT&T-ESPN Coach of the Year
Bill O'Brien – 2012
Joe Paterno - 1994, 2005, 2008
Bill O'Brien – 2012
James Franklin - 2016
Joe Paterno – 1981, 2005
Joe Paterno – 1978, 1982, 1986
Joe Paterno – 1990, 1994, 2005
Bill O'Brien – 2012
Joe Paterno – 1986
Bill O'Brien – 2012
Joe Paterno – 2005
Joe Paterno – 1972, 1994, 2005
James Franklin - 2016

Other awards

Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

See also: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame RB Franco Harris
Hall of Fame RB Lenny Moore

Penn State is one of 11 schools with five or more inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Name Position NFL team(s) Inducted
Jack Ham LB Pittsburgh Steelers 1988
Franco Harris RB Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks 1990
Mike Michalske G Green Bay Packers 1964
Lenny Moore WR/RB Baltimore Colts 1975
Mike Munchak G Houston Oilers 2001
Dave Robinson LB Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins 2013

College Football Hall of Fame

See also: College Football Hall of Fame

Including former head coach Joe Paterno, 26 Nittany Lion players and coaches have been selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Name Position Inducted
LaVar Arrington LB 2022
Hugo Bezdek Coach 1954
John Cappelletti RB 1993
Kerry Collins QB 2018
Shane Conlan LB 2014
Keith Dorney OT 2005
Rip Engle Coach 1973
Jack Ham LB 1990
Dick Harlow Coach 1954
Bob Higgins Coach 1954
Glenn Killinger QB 1971
Ted Kwalick TE 1989
Richie Lucas QB 1986
Pete Mauthe RB 1957
Shorty Miller QB 1974
Lydell Mitchell RB 2004
Dennis Onkotz LB 1995
Joe Paterno Coach 2007
Paul Posluszny LB 2024
Mike Reid DT 1987
Glenn Ressler C/G 2001
Dave Robinson End 1997
Steve Suhey G 1985
Dexter Very End 1976
Curt Warner RB 2009
Harry Wilson RB 1973

Future opponents

Year Non-conference opponents Big Ten home games Big Ten away games


2024 at West Virginia (8/31) Bowling Green (9/7) Kent State (9/21) Illinois UCLA Ohio State Washington Maryland USC Wisconsin Purdue Minnesota
2025 Nevada (8/30) FIU (9/6) Villanova (9/13) Indiana Nebraska Northwestern Oregon Iowa Michigan State Ohio State Rutgers UCLA
2026 Marshall (9/5) at Temple (9/12) Buffalo (9/19) Minnesota Purdue Rutgers USC Wisconsin Maryland Michigan Northwestern Wisconsin
2027 Syracuse (9/4) Delaware (9/11) Temple (9/18) Maryland Michigan Michigan State Washington Illinois Indiana Oregon Purdue Wisconsin
2028 Ball State (9/2) at Syracuse (9/9) UMass (9/16) Indiana Iowa Ohio State Oregon UCLA Michigan State Nebraska Rutgers USC


See also

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