The Penn State Nittany Lions represent Pennsylvania State University in college football. They compete in NCAA Division I football as a part of the Big Ten Conference. The Nittany Lions played their first intercollegiate football game in 1887. The team has won four Big Ten Conference championships and has made 54 bowl game appearances, as of January 2025. The Nittany Lions play their home games at Beaver Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Penn State Playoff Appearances
The Penn State Nittany Lions have made one playoff appearance in the college football playoffs (CFP), according to the NCAA's official website. Their only playoff appearance was in 2024 and their playoff record is 2-0, as of January 2025.
Penn State Bowl record
The Penn State Nittany Lions hold an all-time bowl record of 32 wins, 20 losses, and two draws. They have participated in 54 Bowl games as of January 2025.
| Season | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
| 1922 | Rose Bowl | USC | L 3–14 |
| 1947 | Cotton Bowl Classic | SMU | T 13–13 |
| 1959 | 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 | 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 | TicketCity Bowl | Houston | L 14–30 |
| 2014 | 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 |
Penn State All-time record
The Penn State Nittany Lions has an all-time record of 921–403–37 with a 69% winning rate. They have an overall record of 13-2 for the 2024-2025 season, as per Penn State's official website.
FAQs on Penn State Nittany Lions
A. Penn State made the college football playoffs in 2024.
A. Penn State reached the final four in 1954.
A. Penn State won national championship twice 1982 and 1986.
A. Penn State beat Miami Hurricanes in the 1986 national championship.
A. Based on ESPN, Penn State quarterback was John Shaffer in 1986.
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