Penn State Football: 15 greatest PSU players of Joe Paterno era

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Jan 1, 1983, New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Todd Blackledge (14) celebrates on the field against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Superdome during the 1983 Sugar Bowl. The Nittany Lions defeated the Bulldogs 27-23 to win the National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 15 greatest player of Joe Paterno era: Todd Blackledge (1980-82)

Career passing yards: 4,812
Career passing touchdowns: 41
1982 Davey O’Brien Award

Blackledge is 11th all-time in passing yards in Penn State history and has as many interceptions as touchdowns (41-41), but his 1982 season warrants a spot on this list. Blackledge threw for 2,218 yards and 22 touchdowns and led the Nittany Lions to the national championship with a Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.

In that game, Blackledge went 13 of 23 passing for 228 yards and a touchdown including the clincher on a play-action pass to Gregg Garrity in the fourth quarter.

Blackledge was named the MVP of the Sugar Bowl despite Warner’s 177 yards and two touchdowns. He was also awarded the Davey O’Brien Trophy as the nation’s best quarterback. He was selected seventh overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1983 NFL draft.

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