The 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

Roster

Game summaries

Air Force

Alberto Vitiello, a 5ft 7in junior college transfer, kicked a 22-yard field goal with four minutes to help Penn State escape with a 16–14 victory over Air Force.

Tennessee

NFL Draft

Four Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1972 NFL draft.