Penn State Nittany Lions football

The Penn State Nittany Lions football program represents Pennsylvania State University in college football. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference and competes in its East Division. The Nittany Lions, coached by James Franklin since 2014, have been playing football since 1887, making it one of the oldest programs in all of college sports.

Penn State has won two national championships (1982 & 1986) and four conference titles (1994-96, 2016). They have also made over 30 bowl appearances including 10 Cotton Bowls and 6 Orange bowls; most recently an appearance at the 2017 Fiesta Bowl which they lost to Washington 35-28. Other notable successes include winning 8 perfect seasons between 1912–1914 as well as holding 4 undefeated seasons from 1968–1973 under Joe Paterno’s tenure with them being voted National Champions for 2 out of those years during that span(1968 & 1969).
Paterno was head coach at PSU from 1966 until 2011 when he was fired amidst a child sex abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky who had worked on Paterno’s staff since 1977 before his departure after 1999 season following accusations against him while working there previously not long before then.. During his 45 year tenure at Penn state he amassed 409 wins, 83 losses and 3 ties with 24 bowl wins along with 5 unbeaten regular seasons leading up to his firing shortly after news broke about Sandusky‘s activities prior to joining their staff that started coming out around 2011 time frame . Following Paternos dismissal Tom Bradley took over coaching duties for final game remainder of 2011 season where were defeated by eventual BCS champions Alabama 21-0 Outback Bowl . In 2012 Bill O’Brien became new head coach taking team back into postseason defeating Wisconsin 48 – 7 Gator Bowl despite NCAA sanctions placed upon school due what happened under previous regime same year .. After O’brien left to take job Houston Texans , James Franklin came aboard becoming current leader program 2016 once again returning them post season play this past December Rosebowl losing 52 – 49 USC Trojans heartbreaker finish off 11 win campaign first time achieving double digit victories 26 years ago 1991 squad went 12 0 capturing second national championship ever school history alongside 1982 title mentioned earlier article Despite recent troubles past few years more positive note many accolades still intact throughout course storied 130+ year run including 16 consensus All Americans 64 NFL draft picks numerous individual awards given various players during respective careers twenty eight members hall fame fifteen times appearing top 25 polls each decade beginning 1950 onward With much anticipation hope upcoming 2018 season will bring renewed success future looking brighter than any other point last 20 + Years Go STATE !