The 1981 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 16th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 10–2. Penn State was invited to the Fiesta Bowl, where the Nittany Lions defeated USC. The team was selected national champion by Dunkel, an NCAA-designated major selector, while Clemson, who finished the season 12–0, was the consensus national champion.
Schedule
Game summaries
At Nebraska
Boston College
Eugene-Register Guard. 1981 Oct 11.
Notre Dame
Source: Eugene Register-Guard
Following the game, Penn State accepted an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl.
Pittsburgh
Source:
The Nittany Lions snapped the Panthers' 17-game winning streak in convincing fashion.
Vs. USC (Fiesta Bowl)
Source:
Roster
Awards Joe Paterno: Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
NFL draft Ten Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1982 NFL draft.
Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 8 8 Mike Munchak Offensive guard Houston Oilers 1st 17 17 Sean Farrell Offensive guard Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2nd 1 28 Leo Wisniewski Nose tackle Baltimore Colts 2nd 10 37 Jim Romano Center Los Angeles Raiders 3rd 23 78 Vyto Kab Tight end Philadelphia Eagles 3rd 25 80 Paul Lankford Defensive back Miami Dolphins 5th 15 126 Mike Meade Running back Green Bay Packers 6th 13 152 Chet Parlavecchio Linebacker Green Bay Packers 9th 11 234 Matt Bradley Linebacker Houston Oilers 10th 12 263 Rich D'Amico Linebacker Los Angeles Raiders
References