Penn State Football: Ranking top backfield duos in Nittany Lions history

Penn State Football: Ranking the top backfield duos in Nittany Lions history

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Todd Blackledge #14 of the Penn State University Nittany Lions looks to pass as running backs Curt Warner #25 and Jon Williams #44 block during a college football game against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 1982 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeated Pitt 19-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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Running back D.J. Dozier #42 of the Penn State University Nittany Lions runs (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

4. QB John Shaffer and RB D.J. Dozier (1985-86)

This backfield brought Penn State its second national championship back in 1986-87 with a 14-10 win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

John Shaffer and D.J. Dozier spent two seasons together as the backfield of the Nittany Lions. Shaffer threw for 2,876 yards with 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his two seasons as the starting quarterback.

Dozier’s best season came in 1983, when he ran for 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns, but in the two years he spent with Shaffer, he rushed for 1,534 yards and 14 scores. Dozier added 374 yards and three scores in those two seasons as well. This production helped him finish eighth in Heisman voting in 1986 and made him the 14th pick in the 1987 draft.

This duo does not have the flashy numbers that the others on this list have, but in two years together, they went 23-1 with a national championship and did not lose a regular season game, that’s pretty good.

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