1978 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1978 Penn State Nittany Lions football Penn State text logo.svg Independent 4 4 11–1 Joe Paterno 13th I formation Jerry Sandusky 2nd 4–3 Chuck Fusina Matt Suhey Beaver Stadium Eastern champion Sugar Bowl L 7–14 vs. Alabama The 1978 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 13th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 11–1 with a loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Schedule 1978 AP Eastern September 1 Friday w y 3 Temple Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA 10–7 53,103 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-with-seconds-left-penn-s/157640765/ The Daily Times With seconds left Penn State wins September 2, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 9 w 3 Rutgers Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 26–10 77,154 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-nittany-lions-crush-out/157642465/ The Hartford Courant Nittany Lions crush outmanned Rutgers September 10, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 16 w y 5 Ohio State 6 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC rivalry 19–0 88,202 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-penn-state-silences-oh/157581108/ Herald and Review Penn State silences Ohio State's offense September 17, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 23 w 3 SMU Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 26–21 77,704 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-lions-regroup-to-ni/157510027/ The Pittsburgh Press Lions regroup to nip SMU, 26–21 September 24, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 30 w 5 TCU Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 58–0 76,832 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-penn-state-tro/157512078/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Penn State trounces TCU by 58–0 as Fusina and Moore lead charge October 1, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 w y 5 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY 30–0 58,068 Lions Maul Sluggish Wildcats 30-0 Sunday Herald-Leader John A. McGill October 8, 1978 C1, C7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86545605/lions-maul-sluggish-wildcats-30-0/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y 2 Syracuse Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 45–15 77,827 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-fusina-fires-4-td-passe/157634657/ Sunday News Journal Fusina fires 4 TD passes in Penn State victory October 22, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 w y 2 West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 49–21 34,010 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-penn-state-rallies-for/139665792/ The Tampa Tribune Penn State rallies for 49–21 win October 29, 1978 January 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 w 2 Maryland 5 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry ABC 27–3 78,019 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news-penn-state-destroys-maryland/139702344/ Sunday News Penn State destroys Maryland 27–3 November 5, 1978 January 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 11 w 2 NC State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 19–10 77,043 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-bahr-sparks-penn-st/139703484/ The Kansas City Star Bahr sparks Penn State November 12, 1978 January 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 Friday w 1 Pittsburgh 15 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry ABC 17–10 77,465 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-paterno-takes-gamble-k/157640536/ The Miami Herald Paterno takes gamble, keeps Penn St. No. 1 November 26, 1978 October 22, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1, 1979 Monday l y 1 Alabama 2 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl, rivalry ABC 7–14 76,824 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-hard-hitting-defe/134308123/ Birmingham Post-Herald Hard-hitting defense keys Bama victory January 2, 1979 October 29, 2023 Newspapers.com 1978 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 22, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1978-schedule.html Game summaries Temple #3 Penn State at Temple Penn St 0 0 7 3 Temple 0 0 0 7 September 1 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia 53,103 yes Q3 :56 PSU Booker Moore 26 yard run (Matt Bahr kick) PSU 7–0 Q4 10:49 TEM Zachary Dixon 21 yard pass from Brian Broomell (Firovanti kick) Tie 7–7 Q4 :10 PSU Matt Bahr 23 yard field goal PSU 10–7 yes "Field goal gives Penn State win." Eugene Register-Guard. 1978 Sept 2. Retrieved 2014-Jan-05. Ohio State Penn St 3 0 7 9 Ohio St 0 0 0 0 September 18 Ohio Stadium 1:00 p.m. EST 2:48 88,202 Cloudy; 80 F; wind 10 mph on SW ABC yes Q1 9:52 PSU Bahr 30 yard field goal PSU 3–0 Q3 4:52 PSU Suhey 3 yard run (Bahr kick) PSU 10–0 Q4 13:12 PSU Bahr 41 yard field goal PSU 13–0 Q4 6:45 PSU Bahr 25 yard field goal PSU 16–0 Q4 2:53 PSU Bahr 30 yard field goal PSU 19–0 yes "'Ready' Penn State Stuns No. 6 Bucks." Palm Beach Post. 1978 Sept 17. Maryland Maryland 0 3 0 0 Penn State 3 10 7 7 November 4 Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania 78,019 yes 1 PSU Bahr 33-yard field goal PSU 3-0 2 PSU Fusina 1-yard run (Bahr kick) PSU 10-0 2 MD Loncar 39-yard field goal PSU 10-3 2 PSU Bahr 44-yard field goal PSU 13-3 3 PSU Donovan 63-yard pass from Fusina (Bahr kick) PSU 20-3 4 PSU Moore 4-yard run (Bahr kick) PSU 27-3 yes "Penn State's Defense Smothers Terps." Palm Beach Post. 1978 Nov 5.https://vault.si.com/vault/1978/11/13/a-lionized-defense-penn-state-stopped-maryland-27-3-in-the-showdown-of-unbeatens-as-the-nittany-lions-held-the-terps-to-minus-32-yards-on-the-ground-and-stole-five-passes https://web.archive.org/web/20200705175641/https://vault.si.com/vault/1978/11/13/a-lionized-defense-penn-state-stopped-maryland-27-3-in-the-showdown-of-unbeatens-as-the-nittany-lions-held-the-terps-to-minus-32-yards-on-the-ground-and-stole-five-passes dead July 5, 2020 Sports Illustrated Underwood John A Lionized Defense November 13, 1978 18 Syracuse Chuck Fusina threw four touchdown passes, including two to Scott Fitzkee as second-ranked Penn State extended its win streak to 15 games. Fusina finished 15 of 27 for 293 yards.Ocala Star-Banner. 1978 Oct 22. Roster 1978 Penn State Nittany Lions f 68 Sr Eric Cunningham G 19 Jr Tom Donovan WR 73 Sr Bernie Shalvey T y 71 Sr Keith Dorney T y 46 Sr Scott Fitzkee WR y 14 Sr Chuck Fusina QB y 24 Jr Mike Guman RB y 85 Fr Vyto Kab TE y 38 Fr Mike Meade RB y 70 Jr Irv Pankey T y 32 Jr Matt Suhey RB y 39 Jr Bob Torrey Bob Torrey (running back) FB y 30 Fr Matt Bradley Matt Bradley (American football) DB y 25 Sr Tom Bradley Tom Bradley (American football coach) DB y 54 Jr Bruce Clark Bruce Clark (gridiron football) DE y 74 So Larry Kubin DE y 57 So Pete Kugler DT y 56 Jr Lance Mehl LB y 60 Jr Matt Millen LB y 94 Fr Chet Parlavecchio LB y 10 Sr Matt Bahr K y http://www.nittanyanthology.com/78roster.doc *Joe Paterno Dick Anderson Booker Brooks Kit Cartwright Fran Ganter Bob Phillips John Rosenberg Jerry Sandusky J. T. White Jim Williams Awards thumb|right|A football signed by the 1978 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, including Chuck Fusina, Matt Millen, and head coach Joe Paterno. Bruce Clark Lombardi Award Chuck Fusina Maxwell Award Joe Paterno Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year NFL draft Nine Nittany Lions were selected in the 1979 NFL draft. Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 10 10 Keith Dorney Offensive tackle Detroit Lions 4th 14 96 Eric Cunningham Offensive guard New York Jets 5th 16 126 Scott Fitzkee Wide receiver Philadelphia Eagles 5th 23 133 Chuck Fusina Quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6th 8 145 Bob Torrey Running back New York Giants 6th 28 165 Matt Bahr Placekicker Pittsburgh Steelers 7th 17 182 Rich Milot Linebacker Washington Redskins 8th 4 196 Chuck Correal Center Philadelphia Eagles 10th 6 265 Tony Petruccio Defensive linemen San Diego Chargers References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football