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The Top Five All-Time Penn State Running Backs

By Shane Lunnen

Apr 18, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; General view of Beaver Stadium prior to the start of the Blue White spring game. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; General view of Beaver Stadium prior to the start of the Blue White spring game. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions Blue Band performs from the stands during the second quarter of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 39-0. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions Blue Band performs from the stands during the second quarter of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 39-0. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

John Cappelletti

No all-time list would be complete without Penn State’s only Heisman winner, John Cappelletti.  He also is the only Nittany Lion to have their number retired.

For his first couple seasons on campus, Cappelletti played defense, as the Nittany Lions had two great running backs in Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris. After they graduated, Cappelletti converted back to running back for the 1972 season.

In 1973, he helped Penn State achieve a perfect 12-0 season with his 1,522 yards and 17 touchdowns. In addition to the Heisman, he won the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards plus was named a consensus All-American.

One of the most famous aspects of Cappelletti’s career was the bond with his ailing brother Joey, who had leukemia and died in 1976.   Cappy’s Heisman acceptance was one of the most emotional and compelling speeches that is still talked about to this day.

Next: Number Four: Larry Johnson

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