The 1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 11–1. Penn State defeated the Georgia Bulldogs, 27–23, in the Sugar Bowl to win Paterno's first consensus national championship. The team was selected national champion by AP, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, FB News, Football Research, FW, Litkenhous, Matthews, NCF, NFF, The New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, Sagarin (ELO-Chess), Sporting News, UPI/coaches, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by Helms.

Schedule

Rankings

Game summaries Temple

Maryland

Rutgers

#2 Nebraska

#4 Alabama

Syracuse

#13 West Virginia

Boston College

North Carolina State

vs #13 Notre Dame

Statistics PSU ND First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Time of possession

Team Category Player Statistics Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving Notre Dame Passing Rushing Receiving

Officials Game Position Name at #13 Notre Dame Referee Tom Quinn Umpire Don McDonnell Linesman Otto Puls Line Judge Richard Farina Filed Judge Larry Nemmers Back Judge Weldon Waites

No. 5 Pittsburgh

Statistics PITT PSU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Time of possession

Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving

Officials Game Position Name No. 5 Pittsburgh Referee Raymond Bower Umpire Robert Aebersold Linesman Richard Farina Line Judge Earl Birdy Field Judge Thomas Adams Back Judge Paul Lattanzi

vs No. 1 Georgia (1983 Sugar Bowl)

Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner First meeting

Statistics PSU UGA First downs 19 19 Total yards 367 326 Rushing yards 44–139 46–160 Passing yards 228 166 Passing: comp–att–int 13–23–0 12–28–2 Time of possession 30:38 29:22

Team Category Player Statistics Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving Georgia Passing Rushing Receiving

Officials Game Position Name 1983 Sugar Bowlvs No. 1 Georgia Referee Vance Carlson Umpire Bob Klisares Linesman Dale Schreurs Line Judge Kent Houck Field Judge John Schroeder Back Judge Artie Palk

Roster

Awards Todd Blackledge Davey O'Brien Award Joe Paterno Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Pete Speros Nittany Lion of the Year

NFL draft Nine Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1983 NFL draft.

Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 3 3 Curt Warner Running back Seattle Seahawks 1st 7 7 Todd Blackledge Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs 3rd 17 73 Walker Lee Ashley Linebacker Minnesota Vikings 4th 4 88 Mike McCloskey Tight end Houston Oilers 5th 10 122 Bill Contz Offensive tackle Cleveland Browns 5th 28 140 Gregg Garrity Wide receiver Pittsburgh Steelers 10th 8 261 Dave Laube Offensive guard Detroit Lions 10th 10 263 Pete Speros Offensive guard Seattle Seahawks 10th 15 268 Ralph Giacomarro Punter Atlanta Falcons

Media

Radio WMAJ AM 1450 Fran Fisher John Grant

References