Alabama–Penn State football rivalry

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Alabama–Penn State football rivalry
Alabama Athletics logo.svg
Alabama Crimson Tide
Penn State Athletics wordmark.svg
Penn State Nittany Lions
First meetingDecember 19, 1959
Penn State, 7–0
Latest meetingSeptember 10, 2011
Alabama, 27–11
Statistics
Meetings total15
All-time seriesAlabama leads, 10–5[1]
Largest victoryAlabama, 42–21 (1982)
Penn State, 23–3 (1986)
Longest win streakAlabama, 4 (1975–1982)
Current win streakAlabama, 2 (2010–present)
[Interactive fullscreen map]
Locations of Alabama and Penn State

The Alabama–Penn State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and Penn State Nittany Lions football team of Pennsylvania State University.[2] Dormant since 1990, the series was renewed in 2010 in Tuscaloosa and then 2011 in State College.[3][4][5]

Notable games[]

1959 Liberty Bowl[]

Main article: 1959 Liberty Bowl

1975 Sugar Bowl[]

Main article: 1975 Sugar Bowl

1979 Sugar Bowl[]

Main article: 1979 Sugar Bowl

Alabama scored in the second quarter, then Penn State answered in the third, then Alabama took a 14–7 lead on a touchdown set up by a 62-yard punt return.[6] Penn State had a chance to tie in the fourth, but Chuck Fusina threw an interception into the Alabama end zone. Then the Crimson Tide had a chance to put the game away, but fumbled the football back to Penn State at the Nittany Lion 19-yard-line with four minutes to go. Penn State drove to a first and goal at the Alabama eight. On third and goal from the one, Fusina asked Bama linebacker Marty Lyons "What do you think we should do?", and Lyons answered "You'd better pass." On third down, Penn State was stopped inches short of the goal line.[6] On fourth down, Penn State was stopped again, Barry Krauss meeting Mike Guman and throwing him back for no gain.[6] Alabama held on for a 14–7 victory.[6]

Game results[]

Alabama victoriesPenn State victories
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 December 19, 1959 Philadelphia, PA #12 Penn State 7 #10 Alabama 0
2 December 31, 1975 New Orleans, LA #3 Alabama 13 #7 Penn State 6
3 January 1, 1979 New Orleans, LA #2 Alabama 14 #1 Penn State 7
4 November 14, 1981 State College, PA #6 Alabama 31 #5 Penn State 16
5 October 9, 1982 Birmingham, AL #4 Alabama 42 #3 Penn State 21
6 October 8, 1983 State College, PA Penn State 34 #3 Alabama 28
7 October 13, 1984 Tuscaloosa, AL Alabama 6 #11 Penn State 0
8 October 12, 1985 State College, PA #8 Penn State 19 #10 Alabama 17
9 October 25, 1986 Tuscaloosa, AL #6 Penn State 23 #2 Alabama 3
10 September 12, 1987 State College, PA #19 Alabama 24 #11 Penn State 13
11 October 22, 1988 Birmingham, AL Alabama 8 Penn State 3
12 October 28, 1989 State College, PA #6 Alabama 17 #14 Penn State 16
13 October 27, 1990 Tuscaloosa, AL Penn State 9 Alabama 0
14 September 11, 2010 Tuscaloosa, AL #1 Alabama 24 #18 Penn State 3
15 September 10, 2011 State College, PA #3 Alabama 27 #23 Penn State 11
Series: Alabama leads 10–5[1]

See also[]

  • List of NCAA college football rivalry games

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Winsipedia - Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Penn State Nittany Lions football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ Nissenson, Herschel (October 24, 1986). "Penn State-Alabama continues with its championship drama". Gainesville Sun. Associated Press. p. 3C. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  3. ^ Lynn, Britton (September 9, 2010). "Penn State rivalry goes far back". The Crimson White. Tuscaloosa, AL. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  4. ^ Davis, Rece (September 8, 2011). "Alabama, Penn State renew rivalry of respect". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. ^ Zenor, John (September 9, 2010). "Alabama-PSU rivalry has produced classic moments". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d Dodds, Tracy (January 2, 1979). "Penn State fails to hold back the Tide". The Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee, WI. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
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