The 1972 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 10–2 and lost to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Penn State was the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the best college football team in the Eastern United States. The team played home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
As a result of using ineligible players, the Oklahoma Sooners were ordered to forfeit seven wins from their 1972 season, including their win over the Nittany Lions in the Sugar Bowl. However, Paterno and Penn State refused to accept the forfeit, and the bowl game is officially recorded as a loss.
Schedule
Rankings
Roster
Awards Joe Paterno Walter Camp Coach of the Year
NFL draft Five Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1973 NFL draft.
Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 3rd 19 71 Jim Laslavic Linebacker Detroit Lions 5th 12 116 Bruce Bannon Linebacker New York Jets 6th 6 136 John Skorupan Linebacker Buffalo Bills 14th 10 348 John Hufnagel Quarterback Denver Broncos 15th 17 381 Carl Schaukowitch Offensive guard New York Giants
References