The 1981 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was selected national champion by Dunkel, an NCAA-designated major selector, while Clemson, who finished the season 12–0, was the consensus national champion.

Schedule

Roster

Game summaries

At Nebraska

Boston College

Notre Dame

Following the game, Penn State accepted an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl.

Pittsburgh

The Nittany Lions snapped the Panthers' 17-game winning streak in convincing fashion.

Vs. USC (Fiesta Bowl)

NFL Draft

Ten Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1982 NFL draft.

Awards