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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NCAA team season
{{Infobox NCAA team season
|year=1979
|year=1979
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|off_coach=
|off_coach=
|def_coach=[[Jerry Sandusky]]
|def_coach=[[Jerry Sandusky]]
|off_scheme=
|dc_year=3rd
|off_scheme=[[I formation]]
|def_scheme=
|def_scheme=[[4–3 defense|4–3]]
|stadium=[[Beaver Stadium]]<br />(Capacity: 76,639)
|stadium=[[Beaver Stadium]]
|champion= Liberty Bowl champion
|champion= Liberty Bowl champion
|bowl=[[1979 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]]
|bowl=[[1979 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]]
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}}
}}
{{1979 Division I-A independents football standings}}
{{1979 Division I-A independents football standings}}

The '''1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football team''' represented the [[Pennsylvania State University]] in the [[1979 NCAA Division I-A football season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Penn State Yearly Results (1975-1979)|publisher=David DeLassus|work=College Football Data Warehouse|access-date=July 26, 2015|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/penn_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php|archive-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805073335/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/penn_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team was coached by [[Joe Paterno]] and played its home games in [[Beaver Stadium]] in [[University Park, Pennsylvania]].
The '''1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football team''' represented the [[Pennsylvania State University]] in the [[1979 NCAA Division I-A football season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Penn State Yearly Results (1975-1979)|publisher=David DeLassus|work=College Football Data Warehouse|access-date=July 26, 2015|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/penn_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php|archive-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805073335/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/penn_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team was coached by [[Joe Paterno]] and played its home games in [[Beaver Stadium]] in [[University Park, Pennsylvania]].


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| site_stadium = [[Beaver Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Beaver Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[University Park, Pennsylvania|University Park, PA]]
| site_cityst = [[University Park, Pennsylvania|University Park, PA]]
| tv =
| score = 45–10
| score = 45–10
| attend = 77,309
| attend = 77,309
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| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| tv =
| score = 14–27
| score = 14–27
| attend = 77,575
| attend = 77,575
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| opponent = [[1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]
| opponent = [[1979 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]
| opprank = 6
| opprank = 6
| site_stadium = [[Memorial Stadium, Lincoln|Memorial Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Memorial Stadium (Lincoln)|Memorial Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln, NE]]
| site_cityst = [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln, NE]]
| tv = [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]
| tv = [[College Football on ABC|ABC]]
| score = 17–42
| score = 17–42
| attend = 76,151
| attend = 76,151
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| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| away = y
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]]
| opponent = [[1979 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]]
| site_stadium = [[SECU Stadium|Byrd Stadium]]
| gamename = [[Maryland–Penn State football rivalry|rivalry]]
| site_stadium = [[Byrd Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[College Park, Maryland|College Park, MD]]
| site_cityst = [[College Park, Maryland|College Park, MD]]
| gamename = [[Maryland–Penn State football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 27–7
| score = 27–7
| attend = 52,348
| attend = 52,348
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| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| homecoming = y
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 Army Cadets football team|Army]]
| opponent = [[1979 Army Cadets football team|Army]]
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| tv =
| score = 24–3
| score = 24–3
| attend = 77,157
| attend = 77,157
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| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| neutral = y
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| opponent = [[1979 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| gamename = [[Penn State–Syracuse football rivalry|rivalry]]
| site_stadium = [[Giants Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Giants Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford, NJ]]
| site_cityst = [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford, NJ]]
| gamename = [[Penn State–Syracuse football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 35–7
| score = 35–7
| attend = 53,789
| attend = 53,789
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| date = October 27
| date = October 27
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
| opponent = [[1979 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
| gamename = [[Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| gamename = [[Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 31–6
| score = 31–6
| attend = 77,923
| attend = 77,923
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-west-virginia-be/139718202/|work=The Des Moines Register|title=West Virginia beaten, 31–6, by Penn State|date=October 28, 1979|accessdate=January 27, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
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| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| away = y
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]]
| opponent = [[1979 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]]
| site_stadium = [[Carter–Finley Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Carter–Finley Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh, NC]]
| site_cityst = [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh, NC]]
| tv =
| score = 9–7
| score = 9–7
| attend = 51,200
| attend = 51,200
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-menhardts-late-field-goal-l/139719502/|work=Daily Press|title=Menhardt's late field goal lifts Penn State by 'Pack|date=November 11, 1979|accessdate=January 27, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 17
| date = November 17
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 Temple Owls football team|Temple]]
| opponent = [[1979 Temple Owls football team|Temple]]
| opprank = 18
| opprank = 18
| gamename = [[Penn State–Temple football rivalry|rivalry]]
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| tv =
| score = 22–7
| score = 22–7
| attend = 76,000
| attend = 76,000
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| opponent = [[1979 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]]
| opponent = [[1979 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]]
| opprank = 11
| opprank = 11
| gamename = [[Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry|rivalry]]
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| site_cityst = University Park, PA
| gamename = [[Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 14–29
| score = 14–29
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| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| neutral = y
| rank =
| opponent = [[1979 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]]
| opponent = [[1979 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]]
| opprank = 15
| opprank = 15
| gamename = [[1979 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]]
| site_stadium = [[Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium|Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis, TN]]
| site_cityst = [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis, TN]]
| gamename = [[1979 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]]
| tv = ABC
| tv = ABC
| score = 9–6
| score = 9–6
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}}
}}


==Roster==
==Game summaries==
{{American football roster/Header
| year = 1979
| team = Penn State Nittany Lions
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=Fr|first=Todd|last=Blackledge|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=Jr|first=Mark|last=Cherewka|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Sr|first=Tom|last=Donovan|dab=Tom Donovan (American football)|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=77|class=Jr|first=Bill|last=Dugan|pos=T|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=So|first=Sean|last=Farrell|pos=G|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Guman|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=41|class=Jr|first=Tracy|last=Hall|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Fr|first=Jeff|last=Hostetler|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=So|first=Vyto|last=Kab|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Sr|first=Ron|last=LaPointe|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=38|class=So|first=Mike|last=Meade|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=48|class=Jr|first=Booker|last=Moore|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=So|first=Mike|last=Munchak|pos=G|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=70|class=Sr|first=Irv|last=Pankey|pos=T|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Fr|first=Frank|last=Rocco|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=53|class=Jr|first=Jim|last=Romano|dab=Jim Romano (American football)|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=80|class=Jr|first=Brad|last=Scovill|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=Sr|first=Matt|last=Suhey|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=Jr|first=Dayle|last=Tate|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=Sr|first=Kip|last=Vernaglia|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=Fr|first=Curt|last=Warner|pos=RB|link=y}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=So|first=Jeff|last=Bergstrom|pos=DT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=So|first=Matt|last=Bradley|dab=Matt Bradley (American football)|pos=DB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=54|class=Sr|first=Bruce|last=Clark|dab=Bruce Clark (gridiron football)|pos=DT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/the-story-behind-the-bruce-clark-bombshell-20683583|title = The story behind the Bruce Clark bombshell}}</ref>|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=So|first=Joel|last=Coles|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=74|class=Jr|first=Larry|last=Kubin|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=57|class=Jr|first=Pete|last=Kugler|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=So|first=Jon|last=Lebo|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Fr|first=Walker|last=Lee Ashley|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=Sr|first=Lance|last=Mehl|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=60|class=Sr|first=Matt|last=Millen|pos=DT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1979-roster.html|title=1979 Penn State Nittany Lions Roster}}</ref>|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=So|first=Chet|last=Parlavecchio|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=47|class=Fr|first=Danny|last=Rocco|pos=CB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=89|class=Sr|first=Carlos|last=Quirch|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=23|class=Jr|first=John|last=Walsh|pos=S}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=49|class=Jr|first=Tom|last=Wise|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=So|first=Leo|last=Wisniewski|pos=DT|link=y}}
| special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=So|first=Brian|last=Franco|pos=K|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Fr|first=Ralph|last=Giacomarro|pos=P|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=Jr|first=Herb|last=Menhardt|pos=K}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=97|class=Sr|first=Brian|last=Hand|pos=LS}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=http://www.nittanyanthology.com/79roster.doc
| head_coach = *[[Joe Paterno]]
| asst_coach =
| accessdate=
}}

==Season summary==

===Rutgers===
===Rutgers===
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
Line 246: Line 178:
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}


===at Nebraska===
===At Nebraska===
{{External media
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
|float = right
|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKjCMN0A0M Full game]
|video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYpoXCUJAvo Game highlights]
}}


===at Maryland===
===At Maryland===
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}


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*[[Booker Moore]] – 24 rushes, 103 yards
*[[Booker Moore]] – 24 rushes, 103 yards


{{External media
===vs. Syracuse===
|float = right
|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qy8fF3WjsE&t=254s Penn State highlights]
}}

{{Clear}}

===Vs. Syracuse===
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}


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{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}


===at NC State===
===At NC State===
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}


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===Pittsburgh===
===Pittsburgh===

{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
{{External media
|float = right
|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXCPLLpv6U Full game]
|video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oBdo5GLuf4 Game highlights]
}}

{{Clear}}


===Liberty Bowl (vs. Tulane)===
===Liberty Bowl (vs. Tulane)===
{{External media
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
|float = right
|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptkdJo1eMC4 Full game]
}}


{{Clear}}
==Post season==

==Roster==
{{American football roster/Header
| year = 1979
| team = Penn State Nittany Lions
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=Fr|first=Todd|last=Blackledge|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=Jr|first=Mark|last=Cherewka|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=Sr|first=Tom|last=Donovan|dab=Tom Donovan (American football)|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=77|class=Jr|first=Bill|last=Dugan|pos=T|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=So|first=Sean|last=Farrell|dab=Sean Farrell (American football)|pos=G|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Guman|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=41|class=Jr|first=Tracy|last=Hall|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Fr|first=Jeff|last=Hostetler|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=So|first=Vyto|last=Kab|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Sr|first=Ron|last=LaPointe|pos=TE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=38|class=So|first=Mike|last=Meade|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=48|class=Jr|first=Booker|last=Moore|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=So|first=Mike|last=Munchak|pos=G|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=70|class=Sr|first=Irv|last=Pankey|pos=T|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Fr|first=Frank|last=Rocco|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=53|class=Jr|first=Jim|last=Romano|dab=Jim Romano (American football)|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=80|class=Jr|first=Brad|last=Scovill|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=Sr|first=Matt|last=Suhey|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=Jr|first=Dayle|last=Tate|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=Sr|first=Kip|last=Vernaglia|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=Fr|first=Curt|last=Warner|pos=RB|link=y}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=86|class=So|first=Jeff|last=Bergstrom|pos=DT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=So|first=Matt|last=Bradley|dab=Matt Bradley (American football)|pos=DB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=54|class=Sr|first=Bruce|last=Clark|dab=Bruce Clark (gridiron football)|pos=DT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/the-story-behind-the-bruce-clark-bombshell-20683583|title = The story behind the Bruce Clark bombshell}}</ref>|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=So|first=Joel|last=Coles|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=74|class=Jr|first=Larry|last=Kubin|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=57|class=Jr|first=Pete|last=Kugler|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=So|first=Jon|last=Lebo|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=Fr|first=Walker|last=Lee Ashley|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=Sr|first=Lance|last=Mehl|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=60|class=Sr|first=Matt|last=Millen|pos=DT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1979-roster.html|title=1979 Penn State Nittany Lions Roster}}</ref>|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=So|first=Chet|last=Parlavecchio|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=47|class=Fr|first=Danny|last=Rocco|pos=CB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=89|class=Sr|first=Carlos|last=Quirch|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=23|class=Jr|first=John|last=Walsh|pos=S}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=49|class=Jr|first=Tom|last=Wise|pos=CB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=So|first=Leo|last=Wisniewski|pos=DT|link=y}}
| special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=So|first=Brian|last=Franco|pos=K|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=21|class=Fr|first=Ralph|last=Giacomarro|pos=P|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=Jr|first=Herb|last=Menhardt|pos=K}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=97|class=Sr|first=Brian|last=Hand|pos=LS}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=http://www.nittanyanthology.com/79roster.doc
| head_coach = *[[Joe Paterno]]
| asst_coach =
* [[Dick Anderson (American football, born 1941)|Dick Anderson]]
* [[John Bove]]
* Booker Brooks
* [[Fran Ganter]]
* Bob Phillips
* [[John Rosenberg (American football)|John Rosenberg]]
* [[Jerry Sandusky]]
* [[J. T. White]]
* Jim Williams
| accessdate=
}}


===NFL Draft===
==NFL Draft==
Seven Nittany Lions were drafted in the [[1980 NFL Draft]].
Seven Nittany Lions were drafted in the [[1980 NFL Draft]].
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"

Latest revision as of 20:36, 26 March 2024

1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Liberty Bowl champion
Liberty Bowl, W 9–6 vs. Tulane
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
APNo. 20
Record8–4
Head coach
Offensive schemeI formation
Defensive coordinatorJerry Sandusky (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBeaver Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
1979 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 6 Florida State   –   –   11 – 1 – 0
No. 7 Pittsburgh   –   –   11 – 1 – 0
UNLV   –   –   9 – 1 – 2
No. 17 Temple   –   –   10 – 2 – 0
Tulane   –   –   9 – 3 – 0
Rutgers   –   –   8 – 3 – 0
Tennessee State   –   –   8 – 3 – 0
East Carolina   –   –   7 – 3 – 1
No. 20 Penn State   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
South Carolina   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
Navy   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Notre Dame   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Southern Miss   –   –   6 – 4 – 1
Syracuse   –   –   7 – 5 – 0
Colgate   –   –   5 – 4 – 1
Boston College   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Holy Cross   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Memphis State   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Miami (FL)   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
North Texas State   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Villanova   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Virginia Tech   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
West Virginia   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Georgia Tech   –   –   4 – 6 – 1
Louisville   –   –   4 – 6 – 1
William & Mary   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Illinois State   –   –   3 – 8 – 0
Northeast Louisiana   –   –   3 – 8 – 0
Army   –   –   2 – 8 – 1
Air Force   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Cincinnati   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Richmond   –   –   0 – 11 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season.[1] The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 15RutgersNo. 7
W 45–1077,309
September 22Texas A&MNo. 6
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
L 14–2777,575
September 29at No. 6 NebraskaNo. 18
ABCL 17–4276,151
October 6at Maryland
W 27–752,348
October 13Armydagger
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
W 24–377,157
October 20vs. Syracuse
W 35–753,789
October 27West Virginia
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
W 31–677,923[2]
November 3Miami (FL)No. 19
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
TCSL 10–2675,332
November 10at NC State
W 9–751,200[3]
November 17No. 18 Temple
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
W 22–776,000
December 1No. 11 PittsburghNo. 19
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ABCL 14–2976,958
December 22vs. No. 15 Tulane
ABCW 9–650,021
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Game summaries

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Rutgers

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Texas A&M

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At Nebraska

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External videos
video icon Full game
video icon Game highlights

At Maryland

[edit]

Army

[edit]
See also: 1979 Army Cadets football team
Army Cadets (2–1–1) at Penn State Nittany Lions (2–2)
Period 1 2 34Total
Army 0 0 303
Penn State 7 10 0724

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 13
  • Game attendance: 77,157
  • [4]
Game information
  • Homecoming
  • Matt Suhey – 4th highest single game rushing total in school history, broke school record for career rushing attempts, moved into 4th place on all-time school rushing list
  • Booker Moore – 24 rushes, 103 yards
External videos
video icon Penn State highlights

Vs. Syracuse

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West Virginia

[edit]

Miami (FL)

[edit]

At NC State

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Temple

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Pittsburgh

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External videos
video icon Full game
video icon Game highlights

Liberty Bowl (vs. Tulane)

[edit]
External videos
video icon Full game

Roster

[edit]
1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 14 Todd Blackledge Fr
WR 29 Mark Cherewka Jr
WR 19 Tom Donovan Sr
OT 77 Bill Dugan Jr
G 62 Sean Farrell So
RB 24 Mike Guman Sr
WR 41 Tracy Hall Jr
QB 15 Jeff Hostetler Fr
TE 85 Vyto Kab So
TE 90 Ron LaPointe Sr
RB 38 Mike Meade So
RB 48 Booker Moore Jr
G 78 Mike Munchak So
OT 70 Irv Pankey Sr
QB Frank Rocco Fr
C 53 Jim Romano Jr
TE 80 Brad Scovill Jr
RB 32 Matt Suhey Sr
QB 17 Dayle Tate Jr
WR 13 Kip Vernaglia Sr
RB 25 Curt Warner Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DT 86 Jeff Bergstrom So
DB 30 Matt Bradley So
DT[5] 54 Bruce Clark Sr
CB 20 Joel Coles So
DE 74 Larry Kubin Jr
DT 57 Pete Kugler Jr
CB 12 Jon Lebo So
LB 37 Walker Lee Ashley Fr
LB 56 Lance Mehl Sr
DT[6] 60 Matt Millen Sr
LB 94 Chet Parlavecchio So
CB 47 Danny Rocco Fr
LB 89 Carlos Quirch Sr
S 23 John Walsh Jr
CB 49 Tom Wise Jr
DT 61 Leo Wisniewski So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 10 Brian Franco So
P 21 Ralph Giacomarro Fr
K 31 Herb Menhardt Jr
LS 97 Brian Hand Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

NFL Draft

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Seven Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1980 NFL Draft.

Round Pick Overall Name Position Team
1st 4 4 Bruce Clark Defensive tackle Green Bay Packers
2nd 15 43 Matt Millen Linebacker Oakland Raiders
2nd 18 46 Matt Suhey Running back Chicago Bears
2nd 22 50 Irv Pankey Offensive tackle Los Angeles Rams
3rd 13 69 Lance Mehl Linebacker New York Jets
6th 16 154 Mike Guman Running back Los Angeles Rams
9th 9 230 Tom Donovan Wide receiver Kansas City Chiefs

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Penn State Yearly Results (1975-1979)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  2. ^ "West Virginia beaten, 31–6, by Penn State". The Des Moines Register. October 28, 1979. Retrieved January 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Menhardt's late field goal lifts Penn State by 'Pack". Daily Press. November 11, 1979. Retrieved January 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Penn State unleashes infantry on Army." Eugene Register-Guard. 1979 Oct 14. Pg. 8B. Retrieved 2020-Dec-15.
  5. ^ "The story behind the Bruce Clark bombshell".
  6. ^ "1979 Penn State Nittany Lions Roster".
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