Penn State football: 5 best seasons in Nittany Lions history, ranked
National Champion. No. 1 Coaches/No. 1 AP. 1986 (12-0). player. 1. 806. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Penn State football runs the table, wins national title in 1986.
The 1986 Penn State Football team was the first Nittany Lion team to go undefeated and be crowned National Champion.
In 1985 the Nittany Lions finished the regular season undefeated by fell to the Oklahoma Sooners in a game that would determine the national champion, so Penn State had a bad taste in their mouth heading into the 1986 season.
The ’86 squad had a balanced attack on both sides of the ball as the offense could light up the scoreboard while the defense was as stingy as they come.
D.J. Dozier led the team in rushing and receptions while quarterback John Shaffer tried to make plays in the passing game when relied upon.
But what puts this team at No. 1 is their final victory of 1986 season that earned them the title as national champions as the Nittany Lions defeated the Miami Hurricanes 14-10 in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Hurricanes were declared by many as the national champion before the game was played and had most thinking the game would go Miami’s way as their offense was one that Penn State had never seen before.
Penn State withstood the challenge, forcing seven turnovers and holding the hurricanes to just 10 points, cementing their name in the college football history books for eternity.
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