Penn State has been a prominent college sports powerhouse for years. Though James Franklin’s football program garners the most headlines, Penn State wrestling is on a historically dynastic run under Cael Sanderson, and in 2024, Katie Schumacher-Cawley returned Penn State women’s volleyball to its rightful place at the NCAA mountaintop (not just Mount Nittany).
Penn State has millions of dedicated fans and alumni, but how well do you know your Nittany Lions? Let’s find out.
Question 1: Penn State football has won two recognized national championships. In which seasons did they claim those titles?
Answer: 1982 and 1986
Before the 1982 season, Joe Paterno had Penn State knocking on the door of a national title with back-to-back Fiesta Bowl victories and 10-2 seasons in 1980 and 1981. Then, behind quarterback Todd Blackledge, a 1,000-yard season from running back Curt Warner, and a dominant defense, the Nittany Lions downed Herschel Walker and No. 1 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to finally claim a national title.
Then, four years later, one of the original members of Linebacker U, Shane Conlan closed out Penn State’s undefeated national championship season in 1986 with two interceptions in a 14-10 win over No. 1 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Question 2: Which former Penn State linebacker, nicknamed "Linebacker U's greatest", won the Butkus Award in 2005 before being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
Answer: Paul Posluszny
A 2024 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Posluszny, a Butler, PA native, was a two-time First-Team All-American and one of the only two-time Bednarik Award winners as the best defensive player in the country. He was the first player in Penn State history to record three 100-tackle seasons.
Question 3: In 2018, Penn State men's basketball won the NIT Championship. Who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player?
Answer: Lamar Stevens
A two-time All-Big Ten selection in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Stevens blossomed in the 2018 NIT as a true sophomore. The 6-foot-8 forward broke out with a 30-point performance in Penn State’s 85-80 NIT quarterfinal win over Marquette, then had 28 points in the 82-66 championship game win over Utah.
Question 4: Penn State's wrestling program has been dominant under head coach Cael Sanderson. As of 2024, how many NCAA team championships has Sanderson led the Nittany Lions to?
Answer: 11
Cael Sanderson never lost in his collegiate wrestling career, posting a perfect 159-0 record with four individual national championships and four Most Outstanding Wrestler awards at Iowa State, and eventually an Olympic Gold in Athens in 2004. However, his coaching career maybe even more legendary. Since leaving his alma mater to take over Penn State’s program in 2009, Sanderson has won 10 national championships and is riding a streak of three straight from 2022 to 2024 that the Nittany Lions are hoping to extend.
Question 5: Who holds Penn State football's all-time record for career rushing yards?
Answer: Evan Royster (3,932 yards)
Royster may not be the most talented running back in Penn State history but was the most prolific. Playing from 2007 to 2010, Royster’s 3,932 yards came on 686 carries with 29 touchdowns. His record will be under threat by Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen in 2025; both around 1,000 yards shy heading into their senior season.