Penn State Nittany Lions football statistical leaders

The Penn State Nittany Lions football statistical leaders are statistical leaders of the Penn State Nittany Lions football program in various categories,^[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, kicking and overall team performance. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, career leaders and all time records. The Nittany Lions represent Pennsylvania State University in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.

Although Penn State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1887,^[1] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1970. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

Since 1970, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002,^[2] allowing players in most seasons since then an extra game to accumulate statistics.

These lists are updated through November 4, 2017, after the first nine games of the 2017 season.

Passing[]

Passing yards[]

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Trace McSorley	9,899	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Christian Hackenberg	8,427	2013 2014 2015
3	Zack Mills	7,212	2001 2002 2003 2004
4	Matt McGloin	6,390	2009 2010 2011 2012
5	Tony Sacca	5,869	1988 1989 1990 1991
6	Daryll Clark	5,742	2006 2007 2008 2009
7	Chuck Fusina	5,382	1975 1976 1977 1978
8	Kerry Collins	5,304	1991 1992 1993 1994
9	Anthony Morelli	5,275	2004 2005 2006 2007
10	Todd Blackledge	4,812	1980 1981 1982

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Trace McSorley	3,614	2016
2	Trace McSorley	3,570	2017
3	Matt McGloin	3,271	2012
4	Daryll Clark	3,003	2009
5	Christian Hackenberg	2,977	2014
6	Christian Hackenberg	2,955	2013
7	Kerry Collins	2,679	1994
8	Sean Clifford	2,654^[3]	2019
9	Anthony Morelli	2,651	2007
10	Daryll Clark	2,592	2008

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Christian Hackenberg	454^[4]	2014	UCF (Croke Park Classic)
2	Zack Mills	399	2002	Iowa
3	Sean Clifford	398^[5]	2019	Maryland
4	Matt McGloin	395	2012	Indiana
5	Trace McSorley	384^[6]	2016	Wisconsin (B10 CG)
6	Trace McSorley	381	2017	Michigan State
7	Michael Robinson	379	2003	Wisconsin
8	Trace McSorley	376^[7]	2016	Michigan State
9	Christian Hackenberg	371^[8]	2014	Boston College (Pinstripe Bowl)
10	Mike McQueary	366	1997	Pittsburgh

Passing touchdowns[]

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Trace McSorley	77	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Christian Hackenberg	48	2013 2014 2015
3	Matt McGloin	46	2009 2010 2011 2012
4	Daryll Clark	43	2006 2007 2008 2009
5	Todd Blackledge	41	1980 1981 1982
	Tony Sacca	41	1988 1989 1990 1991
	Zack Mills	41	2001 2002 2003 2004
	Sean Clifford	41^[3]	2018 2019 2020
9	Kerry Collins	39	1991 1992 1993 1994
10	Chuck Fusina	37	1975 1976 1977 1978

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Trace McSorley	29	2016
2	Trace McSorley	28	2017
3	Daryll Clark	24	2009
	Matt McGloin	24	2012
5	Sean Clifford	23^[3]	2019
6	Todd Blackledge	22	1982
7	Tony Sacca	21	1991
	Kerry Collins	21	1994
9	Christian Hackenberg	20	2013
10	Doug Strang	19	1983
	Anthony Morelli	19	2007
	Daryll Clark	19	2008

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Tony Sacca	5	1991	Georgia Tech
		5	2000	Louisiana Tech
3	Tom Sherman	4	1967	Pittsburgh
	Chuck Fusina	4	1978	Syracuse
	Zack Mills	4	2002	Iowa
	Anthony Morelli	4	2007	Buffalo
	Daryll Clark	4	2008	Michigan State
	Daryll Clark	4	2009	Michigan
	Daryll Clark	4	2009	Michigan State
	Matt McGloin	4	2012	Indiana
	Christian Hackenberg	4	2013	Wisconsin
	Christian Hackenberg	4^[8]	2014	Boston College (Pinstripe Bowl)
	Trace McSorley	4^[7]	2016	Michigan State
	Trace McSorley	4^[6]	2016	Wisconsin (B10 CG)
	Trace McSorley	4^[9]	2016	USC (Rose Bowl)
	Trace McSorley	4^[7]	2017	Georgia State
	Sean Clifford	4	2019	Michigan State

Longest touchdown pass[]

All-Time
Rank	Passer	Receiver	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Sean Clifford	Daniel George	95	2018	Kent State
2	Trace McSorley	K. J. Hamler	93	2018	Ohio State
3	Bill Hess	Bob Higgins	92	1919	Pittsburgh
4	Steve Joachim	Jim Scott	86	1971	Navy
5	Trace McSorley	Saquon Barkley	85	2017	Georgia State
6	Matt Knizner	Eric Hamilton	82	1982	Pittsburgh
	Matt Knizner	Eric Hamilton	82	1986	Pittsburgh
	Kerry Collins	Freddie Scott	82	1994	Rutgers
8	Tom Sherman	Paul Johnson	80	1967	Maryland
	Doug Strang	Dean DiMidio	80	1983	Alabama
	Pat Devlin	Stephfon Green	80	2008	Michigan
	Rob Bolden	Derek Moye	80	2010	Illinois
	Trace McSorley	Irvin Charles	80	2016	Minnesota

Rushing[]

Rushing yards[]

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Evan Royster	3,932	2007 2008 2009 2010
2	Saquon Barkley	3,843	2015 2016 2017
3	Curt Warner	3,398	1979 1980 1981 1982
4	Tony Hunt	3,320	2003 2004 2005 2006
5	Blair Thomas	3,301	1986 1987 1988 1989
6	Curtis Enis	3,256	1995 1996 1997
7	DJ Dozier	3,227	1983 1984 1985 1986
8	Larry Johnson	2,953	2000 2001 2002
9	Lydell Mitchell	2,934	1969 1970 1971
10	Ki-Jana Carter	2,829	1992 1993 1994

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Larry Johnson	2,087	2002
2	Ki-Jana Carter	1,539	1994
3	Lydell Mitchell	1,567	1971
4	John Cappelletti	1,522	1973
5	Saquon Barkley	1,496	2016
6	Blair Thomas	1,414	1987
7	Tony Hunt	1,386	2006
8	Curtis Enis	1,363	1997
9	Blair Thomas	1,341	1989
10	Rodney Kinlaw	1,329	2007

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Larry Johnson	327	2002	Indiana
2	Larry Johnson	279	2002	Illinois
	Larry Johnson	279	2002	Michigan State
4	Larry Johnson	257	2002	Northwestern
5	Curt Warner	256	1981	Syracuse
6	Shorty Miller	250	1913	Carnegie Tech
7	Bob Pollard	243	1951	Rutgers
8	Curtis Enis	241	1996	USC (Kickoff Classic)
9	Bob Campbell	239	1968	Syracuse
10	Curt Warner	238	1981	Nebraska

Rushing touchdowns[]

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Saquon Barkley	43	2015 2016 2017
2	Lydell Mitchell	38	1969 1970 1971
3	Curtis Enis	36	1995 1996 1997
4	Ki-Jana Carter	34	1992 1993 1994
5	Charlie Pittman	30	1967 1968 1969
	Trace McSorley	30	2015 2016 2017 2018
7	John Cappelletti	29	1972 1973
	Richie Anderson	29	1991 1992
	Evan Royster	29	2007 2008 2009 2010
10	Matt Suhey	26	1976 1977 1978 1979
	Larry Johnson	26	2000 2001 2002

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Lydell Mitchell	26	1971
2	Ki-Jana Carter	23	1994
3	Larry Johnson	20	2002
4	Curtis Enis	19	1997
5	Richie Anderson	18	1992
	Saquon Barkley	18	2016
	Saquon Barkley	18	2017
8	John Cappelletti	17	1973
9	Charlie Pittman	14	1968
10	Curtis Enis	13	1996
		13	1907
	Harry Robb	13	1917

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Harry Robb	6	1917	Gettysburg
2	Shorty Miller	5	1913	Carnegie Tech
	Lydell Mitchell	5	1971	Maryland
	Ki-Jana Carter	5	1994	Michigan State
5	Franco Harris	4	1971	Iowa
	Lydell Mitchell	4	1971	Navy
	Lydell Mitchell	4	1971	TCU
	Lydell Mitchell	4	1971	North Carolina State
	John Cappelletti	4	1973	West Virginia
	John Cappelletti	4	1973	Ohio
	Brian O'Neal	4	1992	Pittsburgh
	Larry Johnson	4	2002	Indiana
	Larry Johnson	4	2002	Michigan State
	Saquon Barkley	4^[10]	2016	Pittsburgh

Longest rushing touchdown[]

All-Time
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Blair Thomas	92	1986	Syracuse
	Bill Belton	92	2014	Indiana
	Saquon Barley	92	2017	Washington (Fiesta Bowl)

Receiving[]

Receptions[]

Career
Rank	Player	Rec	Years
1	DaeSean Hamilton	214	2014 2015 2016 2017
2	Deon Butler	179	2005 2006 2007 2008
3	Allen Robinson	177	2011 2012 2013
4	Bobby Engram	167	1993 1994 1995 1996
5	Derrick Williams	161	2005 2006 2007 2008
6	Jordan Norwood	158	2005 2006 2007 2008
7	Chris Godwin	154	2014 2015 2016
8	Derek Moye	144	2008 2009 2010 2011
9	Mike Gesicki	129	2014 2015 2016 2017
10	O. J. McDuffie	125	1988 1989 1990 1991

Single season
Rank	Player	Rec	Year
1	Allen Robinson	97	2013
2	DaeSean Hamilton	82	2014
3	Allen Robinson	77	2012
4	Chris Godwin	69	2015
5	O. J. McDuffie	63	1992
6	Bobby Engram	63	1995
7	Chris Godwin	59	2016
8	Mike Gesicki	57	2017
9	K. J. Hamler	56^[11]	2019
10	Terry Smith	55	1991
	Derrick Williams	55	2007
	Geno Lewis	55	2014

Single game
Rank	Player	Rec	Year	Opponent
1	DaeSean Hamilton	14^[12]	2014	Ohio State
2	Freddie Scott	13	1995	Wisconsin
3	Allen Robinson	12	2013	Indiana
	Allen Robinson	12	2013	Ohio State
	Saquon Barkley	12	2017	Iowa
6	O. J. McDuffie	11	1992	Boston College
	Deon Butler	11	2006	Northwestern
	Allen Robinson	11	2013	Illinois
	Chris Godwin	11^[13]	2015	Michigan State
10	Jack Curry	10	1965	California
	Terry Smith	10	1991	USC
	Bryant Johnson	10	2001	Southern Miss
	Derrick Williams	10	2007	Purdue
	Allen Robinson	10	2012	Virginia
	Allen Robinson	10	2012	Indiana

Receiving yards[]

Career
Rank	Player	Yards	Years
1	Bobby Engram	3,026	1993 1994 1995
2	DaeSean Hamilton	2,842	2014 2015 2016 2017
3	Deon Butler	2,771	2005 2006 2007 2008
4	Allen Robinson	2,474	2011 2012 2013
5	Chris Godwin	2,421	2014 2015 2016
6	Derek Moye	2,395	2008 2009 2010 2011
7	Jordan Norwood	2,015	2005 2006 2007 2008
8	Bryant Johnson	2,008	2000 2001 2002
9	Kenny Jackson	2,006	1980 1981 1982 1983
10	O. J. McDuffie	1,988	1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

Single season
Rank	Player	Yards	Year
1	Allen Robinson	1,432	2013
2	Chris Godwin	1,101	2015
3	Bobby Engram	1,084	1995
4	Bobby Engram	1,029	1994
5	Allen Robinson	1,018	2012
6	Chris Godwin	982	2016
7	O. J. McDuffie	977	1992
8	Freddie Scott	973	1994
9	Bryant Johnson	917	2002
10	K. J. Hamler	904^[11]	2019
11	Jahan Dotson	884	2020

Single game
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Deon Butler	216	2006	Northwestern
2	O. J. McDuffie	212	1992	Boston College
3	Bobby Engram	203	1995	Purdue
4	Bobby Engram	200	1994	Rutgers
5	Allen Robinson	197	2012	Indiana
6	Jahan Dotson	189	2020	Illinois
7	Chris Godwin	187^[9]	2016	USC (Rose Bowl)
8	Chafie Fields	177	1999	Miami (FL)
9	Bobby Engram	175	1995	Rutgers
10	Allen Robinson	173	2013	Indiana
	Allen Robinson	173	2013	Ohio State
	Geno Lewis	173^[4]	2014	UCF (Croke Park Classic)

Receiving touchdowns[]

Career
Rank	Player	TDs	Years
1	Bobby Engram	31	1993 1994 1995
2	Kenny Jackson	25	1980 1981 1982 1983
3	Deon Butler	22	2005 2006 2007 2008
4	Derek Moye	18	2008 2009 2010 2011
	Chris Godwin	18	2014 2015 2016
	DaeSean Hamilton	18	2014 2015 2016 2017
7	Allen Robinson	17	2011 2012 2013
8	O. J. McDuffie	16	1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
	Pat Freiermuth	16^[14]	2018 2019 2020
10	Terry Smith	15	1988 1989 1990 1991
	Joe Jurevicius	15	1994 1995 1996 1997
	Mike Gesicki	15*	2014 2015 2016 2017

Single season
Rank	Player	TDs	Year
1	Bobby Engram	13	1993
2	Bobby Engram	11	1995
	Allen Robinson	11	2012
	Chris Godwin	11	2016
5	Joe Jurevicius	10	1997
6	O. J. McDuffie	9	1992
	Freddie Scott	9	1994
	Deon Butler	9	2005
	Mike Gesicki	9*	2017
	DaeSean Hamilton	9	2017

Single game
Rank	Player	TDs	Year	Opponent
1	Bobby Engram	4	1993	Minnesota
2	Freddie Scott	3	1994	Temple
	Bobby Engram	3	1995	Rutgers
	Joe Jurevicius	3	1997	Louisville
	Deon Butler	3	2008	Michigan State
	Allen Robinson	3	2012	Navy
	Allen Robinson	3	2012	Indiana
	DaeSean Hamilton	3	2017	Indiana
	Pat Freiermuth	3	2019	Michigan State
	Jahan Dotson	3^[15]	2020	Ohio State

Longest touchdown reception[]

All-Time
Rank	Receiver	Passer	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Daniel George	Sean Clifford	95	2018	Kent State
2	K. J. Hamler	Trace McSorley	93	2018	Ohio State
3	Bob Higgins	Bill Hess	92	1919	Pittsburgh
4	Jim Scott	Steve Joachim	86	1971	Navy
5	Saquon Barkley	Trace McSorley	85	2017	Georgia State
6	Eric Hamilton	Matt Knizner	82	1982	Pittsburgh
	Eric Hamilton	Matt Knizner	82	1986	Pittsburgh
	Freddie Scott	Kerry Collins	82	1994	Rutgers
9	Paul Johnson	Tom Sherman	80	1967	Maryland
	Dean DiMidio	Doug Strang	80	1983	Alabama
	Stephfon Green	Pat Devlin	80	2008	Michigan
	Derek Moye	Rob Bolden	80	2010	Illinois
	Irvin Charles	Trace McSorley	80	2016	Minnesota

All-time career and single season records for Tight Ends

Total offense[]

Total offense yards[]

Career
Rk	Player	Yards	Years
1	Trace McSorley	11,596	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Christian Hackenberg	8,215	2013 2014 2015
3	Zack Mills	7,853	2001 2002 2003 2004
4	Daryll Clark	6,377	2006 2007 2008 2009
5	Matt McGloin	6,325	2009 2010 2011 2012
6	Tony Sacca	6,000	1988 1989 1990 1991
7	Saquon Barkley	5,574	2015 2016 2017
8	Sean Clifford	5,466^[3]	2018 2019 2020
9	Kerry Collins	5,300	1991 1992 1993 1994
10	Michael Robinson	5,168	2002 2003 2004 2005

Single season
Rk	Player	Yards	Year
1	Trace McSorley	4,061	2017
2	Trace McSorley	3,979	2016
3	Trace McSorley	3,328	2018
4	Matt McGloin	3,220	2012
5	Daryll Clark	3,214	2009
6	Michael Robinson	3,156	2005
7	Sean Clifford	3,056^[3]	2019
8	Christian Hackenberg	2,887	2013
9	Christian Hackenberg	2,883	2014
10	Daryll Clark	2,874	2008

Single game
Rk	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Trace McSorley	461^{[citation needed]}	2018	Ohio State
2	Christian Hackenberg	456^[4]	2014	UCF (Croke Park Classic)
3	Sean Clifford	452	2019	Maryland
4	Zack Mills	418	2001	Ohio State
5	Trace McSorley	408^[16]	2016	Minnesota
6	Trace McSorley	389^[7]	2017	Washington (Fiesta Bowl)
7	Michael Robinson	398	2003	Wisconsin
8	Zack Mills	389	2002	Iowa
9	Trace McSorley	389^[7]	2016	Michigan State
10	Trace McSorley	383^[7]	2017	Michigan State

Total touchdowns[]

Career
Rk	Player	TDs	Years
1	Trace McSorley	107	2015 2016 2017 2018
2	Daryll Clark	65	2006 2007 2008 2009
3	Christian Hackenberg	55	2013 2014 2015
4	Saquon Barkley	54	2015 2016 2017
5	Matt McGloin	53	2009 2010 2011 2012
6	Zack Mills	53	2001 2002 2003 2004
7	Todd Blackledge	51	1980 1981 1982
8	Sean Clifford	49^[3]	2018 2019 2020
9	Tony Sacca	47	1988 1989 1990 1991
10	Lydell Mitchell	41	1968 1969 1970 1971

Single season
Rk	Player	TDs	Year
1	Trace McSorley	39	2017
2	Trace McSorley	36	2016
3	Daryll Clark	31	2009
4	Trace McSorley	30	2018
5	Daryll Clark	29	2008
	Matt McGloin	29	2012
7	Michael Robinson	28	2005
	Sean Clifford	28^[3]	2019
9	Trace McSorley	27	2018
10	Todd Blackledge	25	1982
	Tony Sacca	25	1991

Defense[]

Interceptions[]

Career
Rank	Player	Ints	Years
1	Neal Smith	19	1967 1968 1969
2	Pete Harris	15	1977 1978 1979 1980
2	Darren Perry	15	1988 1989 1990 1991
4	Kim Herring	13	1993 1994 1995 1996

Single season
Rank	Player	Ints	Year
1	Neal Smith	10	1969
	Pete Harris	10	1978

Tackles[]

Career
Rank	Player	Tackles	Years
1	Dan Connor	419	2004 2005 2006 2007
2	Paul Posluszny	372	2003 2004 2005 2006
3
4
5	Sean Lee	313	2006 2007 2008 2009
6	Marcus Allen	311	2014 2015 2016 2017
7	Mike Hull	294	2011 2012 2013 2014

Single season
Rank	Player	Tackles	Year
1	Greg Buttle	165	1974
2	Dan Connor	145	2007
3	Sean Lee	138	2007
4	Mike Hull	138	2014
5	Marcus Allen	110	2016
6	Micah Parsons	109	2019

Sacks[]

Career
Rank	Player	Sacks	Years
1	Courtney Brown	33.0	1996 1997 1998 1999
2	Larry Kubin	30.0	1977 1978 1979 1980
3	Michael Haynes	25.5	1999 2000 2001 2002
4	Shaka Toney	20.5^[17]	2017 2018 2019 2020
5	Anthony Zettel	20.0	2012 2013 2014 2015

Single season
Rank	Player	Sacks	Year
1	Carl Nassib	16.0	2015
2	Larry Kubin	15.0	1979
		15.0	2002
4	Courtney Brown	13.5	1999
5	Maurice Evans	12.5	2007
6	Aaron Maybin	12.0	2008

Kicking[]

Field goals made[]

Career
Rk	Player	FGs	Years
1	Kevin Kelly	78	2005 2006 2007 2008
2	Sam Ficken	54	2011 2012 2013 2014
3	Craig Fayak	50	1990 1991 1992 1993
4	Travis Forney	47	1996 1997 1998 1999
5	Brett Conway	45	1993 1994 1995 1996
6	Massimo Manca	40	1982 1984 1985 1986
7	Matt Bahr	39	1976 1977 1978
	Robbie Gould	39	2001 2002 2003 2004
	Tyler Davis	39	2015 2016 2017
10	Nick Gancitano	38	1981 1982 1983 1984

Single season
Rk	Player	FGs	Year
1	Sam Ficken	24	2014
2	Matt Bahr	22	1977
	Kevin Kelly	22	2006
	Tyler Davis	22	2016
5	Massimo Manca	21	1985
	Travis Forney	21	1999
7	Travis Forney	20	1998
	Kevin Kelly	20	2007
	Kevin Kelly	20	2008
	Collin Wagner	20	2010

Single game
Rk	Player	FGs	Year	Opponent
1	Brian Franco	5	1981	Nebraska
	Massimo Manca	5	1985	Notre Dame
	Travis Forney	5	1998	Michigan State
	Collin Wagner	5	2010	Temple

Longest field goal made[]

All-Time
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent
1	Jordan Stout	57	2019	Pittsburgh
2	Chris Bahr	55	1975	Temple

Special teams[]

Longest kickoff return[]

All-Time
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent	Notes
1	Lamont Wade	100	2020	Illinois	Resulted in Touchdown
2	Saquon Barkley	98	2017	Indiana	Resulted in Touchdown
3	Saquon Barkley	97	2017	Ohio State	Resulted in Touchdown
4	Chaz Powell	95	2011	Indiana State	Resulted in Touchdown

Longest punt return[]

All-Time
Rank	Player	Yards	Year	Opponent	Notes
1	Jahan Dotson	81	2020	Michigan State	Resulted in Touchdown
2	Derrick Williams	63	2008	Wisconsin	Resulted in Touchdown
3	DeAndre Tompkins	61	2017	Akron	Resulted in Touchdown
4	Jahan Dotson	50	2020	Illinois	Helped set up two play touchdown drive

Overall team records[]

Largest win / loss margin[]

Longest win streaks[]

Longest bowl streak[]

All-Time
Rank	Streak	Years	Record	Head Coach	Notes
1	13 Years	1971-1983	9-4	Joe Paterno	1982: Won 1st National Championship in Sugar Bowl vs Georgia 27-23
2	11 Years	1989-1999	8-3	Joe Paterno	1994: Won Big Ten Championship, Won Rose Bowl vs Oregon 38-20
3	7 Years	2005-2011	4-3	Joe Paterno/ Tom Bradley	2005: Won Big Ten Championship, Won Orange Bowl vs Florida State 26-23 2008: Won Big Ten Championship, Lost Rose Bowl vs USC 24-38 2011: Won Big Ten Leaders Division, Lost TicketCity Bowl vs Houston 14-30 Streak Ended with NCAA Sanctions
4	6 Years	2014-2019	3-3	James Franklin	2016 : Won Big Ten Championship, Lost Rose Bowl vs USC 49-52
5	4 Years	1959-1962	3-1	Charles A. "Rip" Engle
6	3 Years	1967-1969	2-0-1	Joe Paterno
	3 Years	1985-1987	1-2	Joe Paterno	1986 : Won 2nd national Championship in Fiesta Bowl vs Miami (FL) 14-10

Longest bowl win streak[]

Rank	Streak	Years	Head Coach	Notes
1	5 Years	1979-1983	Joe Paterno	1982: Won 1st National Championship in Sugar Bowl vs Georgia 27-23
2	4 Years	1993-1996	Joe Paterno	1994: Won Big Ten Championship, Won Rose Bowl vs Oregon 38-20
3	3 Years	1959-1961	Charles A. "Rip" Engle
	3 Years	2005-2007	Joe Paterno	2005: Won Big Ten Championship, Won Orange Bowl vs Florida State 26-23

Largest bowl win/ loss margin[]

Largest win margin[]


Rank	Score	Margin	Bowl Game	Opponent	Season Year	Coach
1	W 41–12	+29	Liberty Bowl	Oregon Webfoots	1960	Rip Engle
	W 43–14	+29	Outback Bowl	Auburn Tigers	1995	Joe Paterno
3	W 42–17	+25	Fiesta Bowl	Tennessee Volunteers	1991	Joe Paterno
4	W 30–6	+24	Cotton Bowl Classic	Texas Longhorns	1971	Joe Paterno
	W 24–0	+24	Alamo Bowl	Texas A&M Aggies	1999	Joe Paterno
6	W 38–15	+23	Fiesta Bowl	Texas Longhorns	1996	Joe Paterno
7	W 41–20	+21	Cotton Bowl Classic	Baylor Bears	1974	Joe Paterno
8	W 31–13	+18	Florida Citrus Bowl	Tennessee Volunteers	1993	Joe Paterno
	W 38–20	+18	Rose Bowl	Oregon Ducks	1994	Joe Paterno
10	W 26–10	+16	Fiesta Bowl	USC Trojans	1981	Joe Paterno
11	W 30-15	+15	Gator Bowl	Georgia Tech	1960	Rip Engle
12	W 53-39	+14	Cotton Bowl Classic	Memphis Tigers	2019	James Franklin
13	W 31-19	+12	Fiesta Bowl	Ohio State Buckeyes	1980	Joe Paterno
	W 42-30	+12	Fiesta Bowl	Arizona State Sun Devils	1977	Joe Paterno
14	W 50-39	+11	Holiday Bowl	BYU Cougars	1989	Joe Paterno

Largest loss margin[]


Rank	Score	Margin	Bowl Game	Opponent	Season Year	Coach
1	L 35–10	-25	Florida Citrus Bowl	Clemson Tigers	1987	Joe Paterno
2	L 24–3	-21	Blockbuster Bowl	Stanford Cardinal	1992	Joe Paterno
3	L 30–14	-16	TicketCity Bowl	Houston Cougars	2011	Tom Bradley
4	L 25-10	-15	Orange Bowl	Oklahoma Sooners	1985	Joe Paterno
	L 21-6	-15	Florida Citrus Bowl	Florida Gators	1997	Joe Paterno
6	L14-0	-14	Sugar Bowl	Oklahoma Sooners	1972	Joe Paterno
	L 38-24	-14	Rose Bowl	USC Trojans	2008	Joe Paterno
8	L 37-24	-13	Outback Bowl	Florida Gators	2010	Joe Paterno
9	L 14-3	-11	Rose Bowl	USC Trojans	1922	Hugo Bezdek
	L 20-9	-11	Gator Bowl	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	1976	Joe Paterno
11	L 27-24	-3	Florida Citrus Bowl	Kentucky Wildcats	2018	James Franklin
	L 52-49	-3	Rose Bowl	USC Trojans	2016	James Franklin

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "2017 Penn State Football Yearbook". GoPSUSports.com. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2002-08-28. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Sean Clifford". ESPN.com.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "Penn State stuns UCF, wins opener on Sam Ficken's game-winning FG". ESPN.com. 2014-08-30.
^ "Penn State vs. Maryland Box Score". ESPN.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "No. 7 Penn St. rallies to beat No. 6 Wisconsin 38-31". ESPN.com. 2016-12-04.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Penn State beats Michigan State to reach Big Ten title game". ESPN.com. 2016-11-26.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "PSU edges BC on game-winning extra point in OT to win Pinstripe Bowl". ESPN.com. 2014-12-31.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "USC hits FG at gun, beats Penn State 52-49 in epic Rose Bowl". ESPN.com. 2017-01-02.
^ "Pitt holds off Penn State rally to win 42-39". ESPN.com. 2016-09-10.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "KJ Hamler". ESPN.com.
^ "Ohio State blows 17-point lead, rebounds to beat Penn State in 2OT". ESPN.com. 2014-10-26.
^ "Michigan State takes division with rout of Penn State". ESPN.com. 2016-11-28.
^ "Pat Freiermuth". ESPN.com.
^ "Ohio State vs. Penn State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
^ "Barkley's run lifts Penn State over Minnesota 29-26 in OT". ESPN.com. 2016-10-01.
^ "Shaka Toney". ESPN.com.

[MG-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b "2017 Penn State Football Yearbook". GoPSUSports.com. Retrieved 2017-08-19.

[2] "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2002-08-28. Retrieved 2014-09-11.

[SCESPN-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Sean Clifford". ESPN.com.

[14CF-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "Penn State stuns UCF, wins opener on Sam Ficken's game-winning FG". ESPN.com. 2014-08-30.

[5] "Penn State vs. Maryland Box Score". ESPN.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.

[16WI-6] Jump up to: ^a ^b "No. 7 Penn St. rallies to beat No. 6 Wisconsin 38-31". ESPN.com. 2016-12-04.

[16MS-7] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Penn State beats Michigan State to reach Big Ten title game". ESPN.com. 2016-11-26.

[14BC-8] Jump up to: ^a ^b "PSU edges BC on game-winning extra point in OT to win Pinstripe Bowl". ESPN.com. 2014-12-31.

[16USC-9] Jump up to: ^a ^b "USC hits FG at gun, beats Penn State 52-49 in epic Rose Bowl". ESPN.com. 2017-01-02.

[16PIT-10] "Pitt holds off Penn State rally to win 42-39". ESPN.com. 2016-09-10.

[KHESPN-11] Jump up to: ^a ^b "KJ Hamler". ESPN.com.

[14OS-12] "Ohio State blows 17-point lead, rebounds to beat Penn State in 2OT". ESPN.com. 2014-10-26.

[15MIS-13] "Michigan State takes division with rout of Penn State". ESPN.com. 2016-11-28.

[PFESPN-14] "Pat Freiermuth". ESPN.com.

[OHST-15] "Ohio State vs. Penn State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.

[16MN-16] "Barkley's run lifts Penn State over Minnesota 29-26 in OT". ESPN.com. 2016-10-01.

[STESPN-17] "Shaka Toney". ESPN.com.

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show v t Penn State Nittany Lions football
Venues	Old Main lawn (until 1891) Beaver Field (1892–1908) New Beaver Field (1909–1959) Beaver Stadium (1960–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama Maryland Michigan State Minnesota Ohio State Pittsburgh Syracuse Temple West Virginia
Culture & lore	Nittany Lion "Fight On, State" Penn State Blue Band Uplifting Athletes Joe Paterno statue Something for Joey 1982 Nebraska game Penn State child sex abuse scandal 2016 Ohio State game Paterno White Out
People	Head coaches All-Americans Statistical leaders NFL draftees
Seasons	1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
National championship seasons in bold