1976 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1976 Penn State Nittany Lions football Penn State text logo.svg Independent 7–5 Joe Paterno 11th I formation Jim O'Hora 11th 4–3 Beaver Stadium Gator Bowl L 9–20 vs. Notre Dame The 1976 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 7–5 with a loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Schedule 1976 AP Eastern September 11 w 10 Stanford Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 15–12 61,645 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-nittany-lions-edge-st/180955971/ Arizona Daily Star Nittany Lions edge Stanford September 12, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 l 7 Ohio State 2 rivalry Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC 7–12 62,503 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-ohio-state-nips-nit/180956028/ Kingsport Times-News Ohio State nips Nittany Lions, 12–7 September 19, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 l 11 Iowa Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 6–7 61,268 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mail-iowa-surprises-penn-state/180956087/ The Times-Mail Iowa surprises Penn State September 26, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 l y 20 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY 6–22 57,723 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-penn-state-loses-3r/134270655/ The Pittsburgh Press Penn State loses 3rd straight, 22–6 October 3, 1976 October 29, 2023 Newspapers.com October 9 w Army Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 38–16 60,436 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-lions-crush-army-3/180955117/ The Pittsburgh Press Lions crush Army, 38–16, Geise, Guman sparkle October 10, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 w y Syracuse Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 27–3 61,474 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-state-tops-syracuse-27/180896383/ The Sunday Call-Chronicle State tops Syracuse 27–3; Guman scores two TDs October 17, 1976 September 11, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 w y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 33–0 37,762 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-fusina-riddles-west-vi/139642573/ Asbury Park Press Fusina riddles West Virginia October 24, 1976 January 26, 2024 Newspapers.com October 30 w y Temple Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA 31–30 42,005 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-two-point-failure-saves/180954187/ The Morning News Two-point failure saves Lions October 31, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 w NC State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 41–20 60,426 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-penn-state-tames-wo/139627522/ The Pittsburgh Press Penn State tames Wolfpack, 41–20 November 7, 1976 January 26, 2024 Newspapers.com November 13 w y Miami (FL) Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 21–7 19,627 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-penn-state-puts-clamp-o/180897382/ The Miami Herald Penn State puts clamp on UM November 14, 1976 September 11, 2025 Newspapers.com November 26 Friday l y 16 Pittsburgh 1 Three Rivers Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry ABC 7–24 50,360 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item-dorsett-pitt-roll-over-p/180956162/ The Daily Item Dorsett, Pitt roll over Penn State November 27, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com December 27 Monday l y 20 Notre Dame 15 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl) (rivalry ABC 9–20 67,827 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-notre-dame-upends-n/180956222/ The Bradenton Herald Notre Dame upends Nittany Lions December 28, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com Roster 1976 Penn State Nittany Lions f 71 Sr Brad Benson T y 44 Jr Jimmy Cefalo WR y 68 So Eric Cummingham T 71 So Keith Dorney T y 46 So Scott Fitzkee WR y 14 So Chuck Fusina QB y 68 Sr George Reihner T y 82 Jr Mickey Shuler TE y 53 Sr Kurt Allerman LB y 25 So Tom Bradley Tom Bradley (American football coach) DB y 64 Sr Ron Crosby DE y 95 Jr Tom DePaso LB y 28 So Rich Milot DE y 78 Jr Randy Sidler DT y *Joe Paterno Dick Anderson Booker Brooks John Chuckran Gregg Ducatte Fran Ganter Jim O'Hora Bob Phillips John Rosenberg Jerry Sandusky J. T. White NFL draft Four Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1977 NFL draft. Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 2nd 10 38 George Reihner Offensive guard Houston Oilers 3rd 22 78 Kurt Allerman Linebacker St. Louis Cardinals 5th 2 114 Ron Crosby Linebacker Detroit Lions 8th 24 219 Brad Benson Offensive tackle New England Patriots References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football