The 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 21st-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 12–0. Penn State defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 14–10, in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl to win Paterno's second consensus national championship. The team was named national champion by AP, Billingsley, FB News, FW, Matthews, NCF, NFF, Sporting News, UPI, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by FACT, Sagarin (ELO-Chess).
Schedule
Rankings
AP poll 6 5 5 7 5 5 6 6 2 2 3 2 2 2 1
UPI Poll 5 5 6 6 5 4 5 5 3 2 3 2 2 2 1
Game summaries
Temple
At Boston College
East Carolina
Rutgers
Cincinnati
Syracuse
At No. 2 Alabama
At West Virginia
Maryland
At Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Vs. No. 1 Miami (FL)—Fiesta Bowl
Roster
Awards Joe Paterno Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
NFL draft Thirteen Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1987 NFL draft.
Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 8 8 Shane Conlan Linebacker Buffalo Bills 1st 14 14 D.J. Dozier Running back Minnesota Vikings 3rd 24 80 Tim Manoa Running back Cleveland Browns 3rd 25 81 Steve Smith Running back Los Angeles Raiders 4th 1 84 Don Graham Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5th 14 126 John Bruno Punter St. Louis Cardinals 5th 20 132 Chris Conlin Offensive guard Miami Dolphins 6th 1 141 Tim Johnson Defensive end Pittsburgh Steelers 6th 22 162 Bob White Defensive line San Francisco 49ers 8th 27 222 Dan Morgan Offensive guard Denver Broncos 9th 24 247 Bob Ontko Linebacker Indianapolis Colts 10th 17 268 Sid Lewis Defensive back New York Jets 11th 7 286 Brian Siverling Tight End Detroit Lions
Media Radio WMAJ AM 1450 Gil SantosLanny Frattare
References