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Penn State’s Greatest Seasons: 1986

By Shane Lunnen

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 22: The Penn State Nittany Lion drum major takes the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 22: The Penn State Nittany Lion drum major takes the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Four years after the first national title, Penn State won its second.

In 1985, Penn State was undefeated at 11-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country.  In the Orange Bowl, the Nittany Lions were humbled by the third ranked Oklahoma Sooners.  It was that loss that prompted 17 fifth-year seniors to return in 1986 along with 17 fourth-year seniors.  This experienced team would go a long way to returning to the top.

A mid-season test in Tuscaloosa

The Nittany Lions started the 1986 season ranked sixth in the country.  Through the first six games, they handled their eastern “cupcake” schedule, beating their opponents by more than three touchdowns.  In late October, a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on the second ranked Alabama looked to be real test for the Lions.  (Video courtesy of LBUvideos)

The game was anything but a test, as the Lions steamrolled past the Crimson Tide 23-3.  The Penn State defense forced 5 turnovers and 5 sacks.  Lion quarterback John Shafer was efficient and both running backs D.J Dozier and Blair Thomas had touchdowns.

Penn State had to survive a couple close games down the stretch, including a 2 point win against Maryland where the Lions had to deny the Terps from tying it late on a 2 point conversion.  After beating Notre Dame and then crushing Pitt, the Lions were 11-0 for the second consecutive regular season.

A showdown in the desert

The conference champions were tied to their respective bowls, but Penn State and Miami were independents not obligated to a bowl game.  The Citrus and Fiesta bowls wanted the No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup, and the Fiesta Bowl eventually won out, moving the game to January 2 so they wouldn’t have to compete with the other New Year’s Day bowls.

It was the first true big college football game, as chronicled by this ESPN article from 10 years ago.

The Miami Hurricanes were the big, bad dogs on the block.  They had the swagger, a high octane offense averaging 40 points a game, and a Heisman winning quarterback in Vinny Testarverde.  The Nittany Lions were the clean cut, grind it out type of team.  The two styles could not have been more different.  It truly was David versus Goliath.  (Video courtesy of Jud Hulon)

If one were to look at strictly the yardage, they would say Miami dominated the game.  The Hurricanes racked up 445 yards to Penn State’s paltry 162.  The story of the game, however, was Penn State’s defense.  Every time Hurricane receivers went to catch a ball, Lion defenders made them pay with brutal hits.   The defense also forced seven turnovers, including intercepting Testaverde five times.

Next: Commit Breakdown: Jordan Miner

In the end, Penn State shocked the college football world by defeating Miami 14-10 and earning their second national championship.  I recommend watching the 1987 Fiesta Bowl in full if you can.  It’s one of the greatest games in Penn State’s storied history and one that Nittany Lion fans  will never forget.

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