Penn State Football: Ranking the top 20 wins in program history

2. 1983 Sugar Bowl

At No. 2 is the No. 1 national title for the Penn State football program, as they took on the University of Georgia in the 1983 Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs were led by one of the best college football players of all-time in Herschel Walker, who had helped them to an undefeated regular season, and the No. 1 ranking in the land.

There would be no controversy here, as whoever won this battle of the unbeaten would go on to be named the national champs. Penn State was actually way ahead in this one in the second quarter, grabbing a 20-3 lead before Georgia scored before the half to make it 20-10.

In a true nail-biter, Penn State nearly let this one slip away, but a Todd Blackledge pass to Gregg Garrity put them back up by ten in the second half. Georgia would not go away, as a crucial fumbled punt enabled the Bulldogs to drive down the field and pull within four, though Walker was stuffed on the two-point try.

The goal here was simple after the Georgia touchdown, keep the ball out of the Bulldogs’ hands. Penn State was able to do just that, as timely plays kept their drive going, and in the end, the Nittany Lions grabbed their first national title.