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1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season

Field	Value
year	1982
team	Penn State Nittany Lions
sport	football
conference	Independent
CoachRank	1
APRank	1
record	11–1
head_coach	Joe Paterno
hc_year	17th
off_coach	Dick Anderson
oc_year	2nd
off_scheme	Pro-style
def_coach	Jerry Sandusky
dc_year	6th
def_scheme	[4–3](4-3-defense)
captain	Walker Lee Ashley
captain2	Ken Kelley
captain3	Stuart McMunn
captain4	Pete Speros
stadium	Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania
champion	Consensus national champion
Sugar Bowl champion
Eastern champion
bowl	[Sugar Bowl](1983-sugar-bowl)
bowl_result	W 27–23 vs. [Georgia](1982-georgia-bulldogs-football-team)

Sugar Bowl champion Eastern champion The 1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 11–1. Penn State defeated the Georgia Bulldogs, 27–23, in the Sugar Bowl to win Paterno's first consensus national championship. The team was selected national champion by AP, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, FB News, Football Research, FW, Litkenhous, Matthews, NCF, NFF, The New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, Sagarin (ELO-Chess), Sporting News, UPI/coaches, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by Helms.

Schedule

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Rankings

A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

Game summaries

Temple

;First Quarter

PSU – Warner, 40-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 7–0)
PSU – Baugh, 31-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 14–0)
PSU – Williams, 16-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 21–0) ;Second Quarter
TU – Slade, 1-yard TD pass from Riordan, Clauser kick good, (PSU 21–7)
PSU – Manca, 37-yard field goal, (PSU 24–7) ;Third Quarter No scoring ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – Williams, 4-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 31–7)
TU – Brown, 14-yard TD pass from Riordan, Clauser kick good, (PSU 31–14) ;Top passers
TU –
PSU – ;Top rushers
TU –
PSU – ;Top receivers
TU –
PSU – ;Top defenders
TU –
PSU –

Maryland

;First Quarter

PSU –
MD – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
MD –
PSU – ;Third Quarter
MD –
PSU –
MD –
PSU – ;Fourth Quarter
PSU –
MD –
PSU – ;Top passers
MD –
PSU – ;Top rushers
MD –
PSU – ;Top receivers
MD –
PSU – ;Top defenders
MD –
PSU –

Rutgers

;First Quarter

PSU –
RUT – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
RUT – ;Third Quarter
PSU –
PSU – ;Fourth Quarter
PSU –
PSU – ;Top passers
RUT –
PSU – ;Top rushers
RUT –
PSU – ;Top receivers
RUT –
PSU – ;Top defenders
RUT –
PSU –

#2 Nebraska

;First Quarter

PSU – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
NEB – ;Third Quarter
PSU –
NEB – ;Fourth Quarter
NEB –
NEB –
PSU – ;Top passers
NEB –
PSU – ;Top rushers
NEB –
PSU – ;Top receivers
NEB –
PSU – ;Top defenders
NEB –
PSU –

#4 Alabama

;First Quarter

ALA –
PSU – ;Second Quarter
ALA –
ALA – ;Third Quarter
PSU –
ALA – ;Fourth Quarter
PSU –
ALA –
ALA –
ALA – ;Top passers
PSU –
ALA – ;Top rushers
PSU –
ALA – ;Top receivers
PSU –
ALA – ;Top defenders
PSU –
ALA –

Syracuse

;First Quarter

PSU – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
SU –
PSU – ;Third Quarter No scoring ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – ;Top passers
SU –
PSU – ;Top rushers
SU –
PSU – ;Top receivers
SU –
PSU – ;Top defenders
SU –
PSU –

#13 West Virginia

;First Quarter

PSU – Gancitano, 31-yard field goal, 6:14 (PSU 3–0) ;Second Quarter
PSU – Williams, 4-yard TD run, Gancitano kick good, 1:57 (PSU 10–0) ;Third Quarter No scoring ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – Radecic 85-yard interception return for TD, Gancitano kick good, 11:29 (PSU 17–0)
PSU – Jackson, 9-yard TD run, Gancitano kick good, 2:42 (PSU 24–0) ;Top passers
PSU –
WVU – ;Top rushers
PSU –
WVU – ;Top receivers
PSU –
WVU – ;Top defenders
PSU –
WVU –

Boston College

;First Quarter

BC –
PSU –
PSU – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
BC –
PSU – ;Third Quarter
PSU – ;Fourth Quarter
BC –
PSU –
PSU – :Top passers
PSU –
BC – ;Top rushers
PSU –
BC – ;Top receivers
PSU –
BC – ;Top defenders
PSU –
BC –

North Carolina State

;First Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
PSU – ;Second Quarter
PSU –
PSU – ;Third Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
PSU – ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – ;Top passers
NCST –
PSU – ;Top rushers
NCST –
PSU – ;Top receivers
NCST –
PSU – ;Top defenders
NCST –
PSU –

vs #13 Notre Dame

;First Quarter

ND – Chris Smith 8-yard TD pass from Ken Karcher, Mike Johnston kick good, 7:27 (ND 7–0) ;Second Quarter
PSU – Todd Blackledge 1-yard TD run, Nick Gancitano kick good, 10:22 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Nick Gancitano 41-yard field goal, 8:07 (PSU 10–7)
PSU – Nick Gancitano 29-yard field goal, 1:41 (PSU 13–7)
ND – Allen Pinkett 93-yard TD kickoff return, Mike Johnston kick good, 1:27 (ND 14–13) ;Third Quarter No scoring ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – Curt Warner 48-yard TD pass from Todd Blackledge, pass failed, 13:36 (PSU 19–14)
PSU – Safety, Allen Pinkett tackled by Walker Lee Ashley in end zone, 13:28 (PSU 21–14)
PSU – Nick Gancitano 27-yard field goal, 3:11 (PSU 24–14)

Statistics	Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}"	PSU	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	year=1982}}"	ND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}; text-align:center;"	Penn State	Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	year=1982}}"	Notre Dame	Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Officials

Game	Position	Name
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}; text-align:center;"	at #13 Notre Dame	Referee	Tom Quinn
Umpire	Don McDonnell
Linesman	Otto Puls
Line Judge	Richard Farina
Filed Judge	Larry Nemmers
Back Judge	Weldon Waites

No. 5 Pittsburgh

;First Quarter

PSU – Nick Gancitano, 26-yard field goal, (PSU 3–0) ;Second Quarter
PITT – Bryan Thomas 4-yard TD run, Eric Schubert kick, (PITT 7–3) ;Third Quarter
PSU – Kenny Jackson 31-yard TD pass from Todd Blackledge, Nick Gancitano kick, (PSU 10–7)
PSU – Nick Gancitano, 31-yard field goal, (PSU 13–7) ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – Nick Gancitano, 19-yard field goal, (PSU 16–7)
PITT – Eric Schubert, 17-yard field goal, (PSU 16–10)
PSU – Nick Gancitano, 29-yard field goal, (PSU 19–10)

Statistics	Pittsburgh Panthers	year=1982}}"	PITT	Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}"	PSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh Panthers	year=1982}}"	Pittsburgh	Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}"	Penn State	Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Officials

Game	Position	Name
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}"	No. 5 Pittsburgh	Referee	Raymond Bower
Umpire	Robert Aebersold
Linesman	Richard Farina
Line Judge	Earl Birdy
Field Judge	Thomas Adams
Back Judge	Paul Lattanzi

vs No. 1 Georgia (1983 Sugar Bowl)

Overall record	Previous meeting	Previous winner
First meeting

No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions (10–1) vs No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (11–0) – Game summary ;First Quarter

PSU – Curt Warner 2-yard TD run, Nick Gancitano kick, 12:09 (PSU 7–0)
UGA – Kevin Butler, 27-yard field goal, 6:05 (PSU 7–3) ;Second Quarter
PSU – Nick Gancitano, 38-yard field goal, 11:47 (PSU 10–3)
PSU – Curt Warner 9-yard TD run, Nick Gancitano kick, 2:43 (PSU 17–3)
PSU – Nick Gancitano, 45-yard field goal, 0:44 (PSU 20–3)
UGA – Herman Archie 10-yard TD pass from John Lastinger, Kevin Butler kick, 0:05 (PSU 20–10) ;Third Quarter
UGA – Herschel Walker 1-yard TD run, Kevin Butler kick, 10:37 (PSU 20–17) ;Fourth Quarter
PSU – Gregg Garrity 47-yard TD pass from Todd Blackledge, Nick Gancitano kick, 13:16 (PSU 27–17)
UGA – Clarence Kay 9-yard TD pass from John Lastinger, run failed, 3:54 (PSU 27–23)

Statistics	Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}"
First downs	19	19
Total yards	367	326
Rushing yards	44–139	46–160
Passing yards	228	166
Passing: comp–att–int	13–23–0	12–28–2
Time of possession	30:38	29:22

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}; text-align:center;"	Penn State	Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia Bulldogs	color=white	year=1982}}"	Georgia	Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Officials

Game	Position	Name
Penn State Nittany Lions	year=1982}}; text-align:center;"	**1983 Sugar Bowl
vs No. 1 Georgia**	Referee	Vance Carlson
Umpire	Bob Klisares
Linesman	Dale Schreurs
Line Judge	Kent Houck
Field Judge	John Schroeder
Back Judge	Artie Palk

Roster

Dick Anderson
John Bove
Tom Bradley
Booker Brooks
Fran Ganter
Bob Phillips
John Rosenberg
Jerry Sandusky
Jim Williams

Awards

Todd Blackledge

- **Joe Paterno** ::Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - **Pete Speros** ::Nittany Lion of the Year ## NFL draft Nine Nittany Lions were drafted in the [1983 NFL draft](1983-nfl-draft). ::data[format=table] | Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Position | Team | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1st | 3 | 3 | Curt Warner | Running back | Seattle Seahawks | | 1st | 7 | 7 | Todd Blackledge | Quarterback | Kansas City Chiefs | | 3rd | 17 | 73 | Walker Lee Ashley | Linebacker | Minnesota Vikings | | 4th | 4 | 88 | Mike McCloskey | Tight end | Houston Oilers | | 5th | 10 | 122 | Bill Contz | Offensive tackle | Cleveland Browns | | 5th | 28 | 140 | Gregg Garrity | Wide receiver | Pittsburgh Steelers | | 10th | 8 | 261 | Dave Laube | Offensive guard | Detroit Lions | | 10th | 10 | 263 | Pete Speros | Offensive guard | Seattle Seahawks | | 10th | 15 | 268 | Ralph Giacomarro | Punter | Atlanta Falcons | :: ## Media ### Radio ## References ## References 1. (August 2018). ["2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf). *National Collegiate Athletic Association*. 2. (September 5, 1982). ["Penn State thumps Owls on early scores"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-penn-state-thumps-owls-on-e/166033049/). *Courier-Post*. 3. (September 12, 1982). ["Penn State rallies to edge Maryland"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news-penn-state-rallies-to-edge-m/139783638/). *The Sunday News*. 4. (September 19, 1982). ["Wide-open Penn State crushes Rutgers, 49–14"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-wide-open-penn-state-crushe/166036825/). *Daily Record*. 5. (September 26, 1982). ["Penn State comeback kills Huskers' hopes"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-penn-state-comeba/166131526/). *The Sioux City Journal*. 6. (October 10, 1982). ["'Bama brings Penn State back to earth"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71533119/bama-brings-penn-state-back-to-earth/). *The Philadelphia Inquirer*. 7. (October 17, 1982). ["Lions' running game wakes up in 28–7 triumph"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-lions-running-game-wa/166031862/). *The Times-Tribune*. 8. (October 24, 1982). ["Penn State's defense devastates W. Virginia"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-penn-states-defe/139790503/). *Democrat and Chronicle*. 9. (October 31, 1982). ["Penn State destroys BC"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-penn-state-destroys-bc/166129354/). *Boston Sunday Globe*. 10. (November 7, 1982). ["Nittany Lions follow new script"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-nittany-lions-follow-n/139788043/). *The Sunday Times*. 11. (November 14, 1982). ["Penn State stops Irish"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-penn-state-stops-iri/166126992/). *The Macon Telegraph & News*. 12. (November 27, 1982). ["Penn State needs 'one more' after big win over Pittsburgh"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancaster-new-era-penn-state-needs-one/166130965/). *Lancaster New Era*. 13. (January 2, 1983). ["Penn State slips by top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-advertiser-penn-state-slips-by/166131793/). *The Daily Advertiser*. 14. Eugene Register-Guard. November 14, 1982. Retrieved December 15, 2014. ::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Penn_State_Nittany_Lions_football_team) and is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the [article history page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Penn_State_Nittany_Lions_football_team?action=history). ::

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