1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football Penn State text logo.svg 250 Independent 11 5 11–1 Joe Paterno 6th I formation Jim O'Hora 6th 4–3 Dave Joyner Charlie Zapiec Beaver Stadium Eastern championCotton Bowl champion Cotton Bowl Classic W 30–6 vs. Texas The 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 11–1 and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Schedule 1971 AP Eastern September 18 2:00 p.m. w y 14 Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 56–3 26,855 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-penn-st-cruises-past-n/181977319/ The Patriot-News Penn St. cruises past Navy, 56–3 September 19, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 w y 12 Iowa Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA ABC 44–14 44,303 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-harris-scores-fo/182031457/ Wisconsin State Journal Harris scores four as Lions crush Iowa September 26, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 1:30 p.m. w 9 Air Force Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 16–14 50,459 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-penn-state-fg-ni/182027613/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Penn State FG nips Air Force October 3, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 1:30 p.m. w 9 Army Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 42–0 49,887 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-penn-st-flogs-army-420/182027075/ Daily News Penn St. flogs Army, 42–0 October 10, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 w y 9 Syracuse Archbold Stadium Syracuse, NY rivalry 31–0 41,382 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-ninth-ranked-penn-state-shackl/181979144/ The State Ninth-ranked Penn State shackles Syracuse, 31–0 October 17, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 w y 7 TCU Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 66–14 51,896 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-undefeated-nittany-lions-w/168993315/ The El Paso Times Undefeated Nittany Lions wallop TCU Horned Frogs October 24, 1971 March 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 w y 6 West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 35–7 37,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-mitchell-harris-boost-penn-st/139438238/ The State Mitchell, Harris boost Penn State October 31, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com November 6 w 6 Maryland Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 63–27 50,144 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news-mitchell-scores-5-tds-gains/139437266/ Sunday News Mitchell scores 5 TDs, gains 209 yards November 7, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com November 13 w 5 NC State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 35–3 50,477 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-lions-roar-late-d/139436773/ The News and Observer Lions roar late, down State, 35–3 November 14, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com November 20 w y 6 Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry 55–18 39,539 https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-lions-batter-pitt-5/181977100/ Casper Star-Tribune Lions batter Pitt, 55–18 November 21, 1971 September 29, 2025 Newspapers.com December 4 l y 5 Tennessee 12 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ABC 11–31 59,542 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QxtOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=guwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6764%2C2270159 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington) Associated Press Vols flatten Lions December 5, 1971 1, sports January 1, 1972 w y 10 Texas 12 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl CBS 30–6 72,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1I0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=85kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3708%2C970653 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Texas Wishbone catches in throat January 2, 1972 61https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1u9LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Xe0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2264%2C916622 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Penn State scuttles Texas for 30-6 Cotton Bowl win January 2, 1972 1, sports Schedule/Results (1971 Penn St.) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/130882 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 29, 2025 Game summaries Air Force Alberto Vitiello, a 5 7 junior college transfer, kicked a 22-yard field goal with four minutes to help Penn State escape with a 16–14 victory over Air Force. "Penn State Edges Air Force on Field Goal." Palm Beach Post. 1971 Oct 3. Tennessee 1971 Tennessee Volunteers football team Penn State Nittany Lions 2; text-align:center collapsed #5 Penn State Nittany Lions (10–0) at #12 Tennessee Volunteers (8–2) December 4, 1971 Penn St 0 3 0 8 Tennessee 7 14 0 10 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 54,529 ABC Ocala Star-Banner, 1971 Dec 05. First quarter TENN – Conrad Graham 76-yard fumble return (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 7–0. Second quarter PSU – Alberto Vitello 27-yard field goal. Tennessee 7–3. Drive: TENN – Bill Rudder 1-yard run (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards. TENN – Bobby Majors 44-yard punt return (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 21–3. Fourth quarter TENN – George Hunt 21-yard field goal. Tennessee 24–3. Drive: TENN – Jackie Walker 43-yard interception return (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 31–3. PSU – Lydell Mitchell 14-yard pass from John Hufnagel (run good). Tennessee 31–11. Drive: Roster 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions f 26 Jr Ken Andrews RB 59 Sr Mike Botts C 50 Jr Rick Brown C 27 Jr Carl Cayette RB 48 Sr Glen Cole WR 80 So Gary Debes TE 32 So Tom Donchez RB y 56 Sr Don Gersh C 77 So Charlie Getty OT y 34 Sr Franco Harris RB y 25 So Chuck Herd WR KR 16 Jr John Hufnagel QB y 89 Sr John Hull TE 10 So Steve Joachim QB y 70 Sr Dave Joyner T C Bob Knetchel OL 11 So Jack Koniszewski QB 73 Jr Craig Lyle T 23 Sr Lydell Mitchell RB y 41 So Bob Nagle RB 86 Sr Bob Parsons Bob Parsons (American football) TE P y 40 Sr Bob Rickenbach TE y 69 Jr Carl Schaukowitch OG y 19 So Jim Scott WR 84 Jr Scott Skarzynski WR Steve Stilley RB 79 Sr Frank Ahrenhold DT 93 Sr Jack Aumiller DE 83 Jr Bruce Bannon DE y 57 Sr John Booth DT 22 So John Cappelletti DB y 53 So Randy Crowder DT y 35 Jr Gregg Ducatte S 18 So Buddy Ellis DB 30 Sr Gary Gray LB 46 So Gary Hager DL 72 Jr Jim Heller DT 49 So Tom Hull LB y Tom Hull (American football) 47 Jr Jim Laslavic DL y 20 Sr Chuck Mesko DB 89 So Ed O'Neil Ed O'Neil (American football) LB y 39 Sr Paul Pasqualoni LB y 81 Jr John Skorupan DE y 36 Jr Jim Trent LB 60 Sr Charlie Zapiec LB y C 37 Jr Alberto Vitello K http://www.nittanyanthology.com/71roster.doc *Joe Paterno John Chuckran Jim O'Hora Frank Patrick Bob Phillips Jerry Sandusky Jim Weaver George Welsh J. T. White NFL draft Four Nittany Lions were selected in the 1972 NFL draft. Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 13 13 Franco Harris Running back Pittsburgh Steelers 2nd 22 48 Lydell Mitchell Running back Baltimore Colts 4th 15 93 Charles Zapiec Linebacker Dallas Cowboys 5th 13 117 Bob Parsons Punter Chicago Bears References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Category:Cotton Bowl Classic champion seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football Category:Long stubs with short prose