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Penn State Football Team History


Penn State Nittany Lions
The Pennsylvania State University
 University Park, PA
Founded: 1855
Stadium: Beaver Stadium
Capacity: 106,537
Colors: Blue & White
Coach: Joe Paterno
Conference: Big 10-

Team Home Summary  Coaches Games by Year Opponents Rankings Bowls Conference


Select Year:    
1881  <-- 1996 <- 1997 -> 1998 --> 2024
1997 Season Highlights
 Joe Paterno enters his 32nd season as Head Coach at Penn State.
 
1997 Season
 Date   Opponent  Score   
 Sat., Sep. 6  vs. Pittsburgh  34   17   W       
 Sat., Sep. 13  vs. Temple  52   10   W       
 Sat., Sep. 20  @ Louisville  57   21   W       
 Sat., Oct. 4  @ Illinois  41   6   W       
 Sat., Oct. 11  vs. Ohio State  31   27   W       
 Sat., Oct. 18  vs. Minnesota  16   15   W       
 Sat., Nov. 1  @ Northwestern  30   27   W       
 Sat., Nov. 8  vs. Michigan  8   34   L       
 Sat., Nov. 15  @ Purdue  42   17   W       
 Sat., Nov. 22  vs. Wisconsin  35   10   W       
 Sat., Nov. 29  @ Michigan State  14   49   L       
 Thu., Jan. 1   Florida  6   21   L    @ Orlando, FL   Capital One Bowl
 
1997 Season Totals
  Record9-3
  Points Scored366
  Scoring Average30.5
  Points Allowed254
  Defense Average21.2
  Opponents Record74-69
  Conference Record6-2
  Home Record5-1
  Away Record4-1
1997 NCAA Final Rankings
 Rank   Record   Source 
16 9-3-0 AP
17 9-3-0 Coaches
17 9-3-0 USA Today/ESPN
  
1997 Big 10- Standings
  Season   Bowls   Conference 
 Team  W/L/T  PF  PA    W/L/T  PF  PA   Coach 
Minnesota 3-9238334 1-7119226  Glen Mason
Indiana 2-9120359 1-774281  Cam Cameron
Illinois 0-11119368 0-876283  Ron Turner
Michigan 12-0322114Won  21-168-021578  Lloyd Carr
Ohio State 10-3394170Lost  14-316-225386  John Cooper
Penn State 9-3366254Lost  6-216-2217185  Joe Paterno
Purdue 9-3396267Won  33-206-2285180  Joe Tiller
Wisconsin 8-5291306Lost  6-335-3165195  Barry Alvarez
Iowa 7-5411159Lost  7-174-4221106  Hayden Fry
Michigan State 7-5342237Lost  23-514-4203148  Nick Saban
Northwestern 5-7243288 3-5141201  Gary Barnett

1997 All American Awards
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Award   Team   Source 
 Coming Someday 

1997 All Big 10 Conference Players
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Team   Source 
 Coming Someday 


Some records may be incomplete.


Great Moments in College Football History

The forward pass first appeared in college football in 1906. It was introduced in an attempt to increase scoring and reduce injuries.