1983 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1983 Penn State Nittany Lions football Penn State text logo.svg Independent 17 8–4–1 Joe Paterno 18th Dick Anderson 3rd Pro-style Jerry Sandusky 7th 4–3 Ron Heller Kenny Jackson Scott Radecic Mark Robinson Beaver Stadium Aloha Bowl champion Aloha Bowl W 13–10 vs. Washington The 1983 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 18th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 8–4–1. Penn State was invited to the Aloha Bowl, where the Nittany Lions defeated Washington. The team played home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Schedule 1983 AP Eastern August 29 Monday 9:00 p.m. l y 4 Nebraska 1 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ Kickoff Classic KATZ 6–44 71,123 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-nebraska-breezes-in-clas/166502252/ The Star-Ledger Nebraska breezes in Classic, 44–6 August 30, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com September 10 1:30 p.m. l 20 Cincinnati Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 3–14 83,683 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-penn-state-shocked-by-c/166502374/ The Miami Herald Penn State shocked by Cincinnati, 14–3 September 11, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 1:30 p.m. l Iowa 13 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 34–42 84,628 https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-iowa-hands-penn-state-3rd-l/166502499/ Courier-Post Iowa hands Penn State 3rd loss in seesaw game, 42–34 September 18, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 1:30 p.m. w y Temple Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA 23–18 35,760 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-finally-penn-s/166502614/ The Akron Beacon Journal Finally, Penn St. 'gets one' September 25, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 1:30 p.m. w y Rutgers Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ 36–25 32,804 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-register-lions-back-credits-l/166502744/ The Daily Register Lions' back credits line in victory over Rutgers October 2, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 3:45 p.m. w Alabama 3 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry CBS 34–28 85,614 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71536322/penn-state-holds-off-furious-alabama/ The Pittsburgh Press Penn State holds off furious Alabama rally, 34–28 October 9, 1983 February 19, 2021 Newspapers.com October 15 1:30 p.m. w y Syracuse Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY rivalry 17–6 50,010 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-nittany-lions/166502889/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Nittany Lions struggle but get past Orangemen October 16, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 1:30 p.m. w y West Virginia 4 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 41–23 86,309 https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-rebounding-penn-state-rips/139842315/ The Courier-Post Rebounding Penn State rips fourth-rated West Virginia October 23, 1983 January 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 29 3:50 p.m. l y Boston College 19 Sullivan Stadium Foxborough, MA ABC 17–27 56,605 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-day-the-surgeon-bcs-flutie-operate/166499326/ The Day The surgeon; BC's Flutie operates on Penn State, 27–17 October 30, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 1:00 p.m. w Brown Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 38–21 84,670 Despite a Second-Quarter Sputter, Penn State Trounces Brown, 38–21 Sarajane Freligh November 6, 1983 1-G, 13-G The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57052056/1983-brown-psu/ November 12 1:00 p.m. w Notre Dame Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry ESPN (tape delay) 34–30 85,899 https://www.newspapers.com/article/centre-daily-times-strang-runs-lions-pas/166503040/ Centre Daily Times Strang runs Lions past Fighting Irish, 34–30 November 13, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 1:00 p.m. t y Pittsburgh 17 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry 24–24 60,283 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-last-second-field/166501014/ Sunday Press Last-second field goal lifts Penn State into tie November 20, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com December 26 Monday 8:00 p.m. w y Washington Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI Aloha Bowl ESPN 13–10 37,212 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-defense-does-it-f/166490737/ Honolulu Star-Bulletin & Advertiser Defense does it for Penn State December 27, 1983 February 23, 2025 Newspapers.com Roster 1983 Penn State Nittany Lions f 58 Jr Nick Haden C 72 Sr Ron Heller Ron Heller (offensive tackle) T y 82 Sr Kenny Jackson WR y 29 Jr Tony Mumford RB 95 Jr Rogers Alexander LB 31 So Shane Conlan LB y 53 So Don Graham Don Graham (American football) LB y 22 So Ray Isom S 55 So Tim Johnson Tim Johnson (defensive lineman) LB y 97 Sr Scott Radecic LB y 32 Sr Mark Robinson Mark Robinson (safety) S y 43 So Mike Zordich DB y 10 Fr Massimo Manca PK y *Joe Paterno Dick Anderson John Bove Tom Bradley Booker Brooks Randy Crowder Fran Ganter Bob Phillips Jerry Sandusky Jim Williams NFL draft Eight Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1984 NFL draft. Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 4 4 Kenny Jackson Wide receiver Philadelphia Eagles 2nd 6 34 Scott Radecic Linebacker Kansas City Chiefs 3rd 14 70 Jon Williams Running back New England Patriots 4th 6 90 Mark Robinson Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs 4th 28 112 Ron Heller Offensive tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7th 8 176 Harry Hamilton Defensive back New York Jets 8th 1 197 Kevin Baugh Wide receiver Houston Oilers 9th 18 242 George Reynolds Punter Los Angeles Rams References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Category:Aloha Bowl champion seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football