Penn State Football
Penn State football is a college football program that competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Nittany Lions represent Pennsylvania State University and play their home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The team's head coach is James Franklin.
Penn State has won two national championships (1982, 1986) and has won the Big Ten Conference championship seven times (1968, 1973, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1994, 2016). The Nittany Lions have also played in 51 bowl games, including the Rose Bowl Game (1969, 1974, 1979, 1991, 2006, 2012), the Sugar Bowl (1983, 1987, 2017, 2023), and the Fiesta Bowl (1989, 2005, 2009).
History
Penn State football began in 1887 when the Nittany Lions played their first game against Dickinson College. The Nittany Lions lost the game, but they went on to win the next four games in a row.
Penn State's first national championship came in 1982 when the Nittany Lions defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. The Nittany Lions were led by head coach Joe Paterno and quarterback Todd Blackledge.
Penn State's second national championship came in 1986 when the Nittany Lions defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions were again led by head coach Joe Paterno and quarterback Todd Blackledge.
Notable Players
Penn State has produced a number of notable NFL players, including:
- John Cappelletti (fullback)
- Ki-Jana Carter (running back)
- Franco Harris (running back)
- Curt Warner (quarterback)
- LaVar Arrington (linebacker)
- Paul Posluszny (linebacker)
- Tamba Hali (outside linebacker)
- Michael Robinson (running back)
Rivals
Penn State's main rivals are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes have been playing against each other since 1896. The Nittany Lions and the Panthers have been playing against each other since 1893.
Traditions
Penn State has a number of traditions, including:
- Whiteout: The Nittany Lions wear all white uniforms and their fans wear white to one home game each season. The Whiteout is one of the most iconic traditions in college football.
- We Are Penn State: We Are Penn State is the school's fight song. The song is played at the end of every home game and is often sung by the fans during the game.
- Beaver Stadium: Beaver Stadium is the largest stadium in Pennsylvania and is one of the largest stadiums in the country. The stadium is known for its loud and passionate fans.
Conclusion
Penn State football is one of the most successful college football programs in the country. The Nittany Lions have won two national championships and have played in 51 bowl games. Penn State has also produced a number of notable NFL players.
The Nittany Lions have a number of traditions, including the Whiteout, We Are Penn State, and Beaver Stadium. Penn State football is a big part of the Penn State community and is one of the most popular college football teams in the country.