1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football
1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Consensus national champion; Sugar Bowl champion; Eastern champion
Sugar Bowl, W 27–23 vs. Georgia
Conference	Independent
Ranking
Coaches	No. 1
AP	No. 1
Record	12–0
Head coach	Joe Paterno (17th season);
Offensive coordinator	Dick Anderson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Jerry Sandusky (6th season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Beaver Stadium
	Seasons ← 1981 1983 →

1982 Major eastern college football independents records
v t e	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 1 Penn State $	6	–	0	–	0	11	–	1	–	0
No. 10 Pittsburgh	4	–	1	–	0	9	–	3	–	0
No. 19 West Virginia	4	–	2	–	0	9	–	3	–	0
Boston College	3	–	2	–	0	8	–	3	–	1
Rutgers	1	–	5	–	0	5	–	6	–	0
Temple	1	–	5	–	0	4	–	7	–	0
Syracuse	1	–	5	–	0	2	–	9	–	0

$ – Lambert Trophy Winner Rankings from AP Poll

1982 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
v t e	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 1 Penn State		–		–		11	–	1	–	0
No. 10 Pittsburgh		–		–		9	–	3	–	0
No. 13 Florida State		–		–		9	–	3	–	0
No. 19 West Virginia		–		–		9	–	3	–	0
Boston College		–		–		8	–	3	–	1
Southwestern Louisiana		–		–		7	–	3	–	1
East Carolina		–		–		7	–	4	–	0
Miami (FL)		–		–		7	–	4	–	0
Southern Miss		–		–		7	–	4	–	0
Virginia Tech		–		–		7	–	4	–	0
Notre Dame		–		–		6	–	4	–	1
Cincinnati		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Georgia Tech		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Navy		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Louisville		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Rutgers		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Army		–		–		4	–	7	–	0
South Carolina		–		–		4	–	7	–	0
Temple		–		–		4	–	7	–	0
Tulane		–		–		4	–	7	–	0
Syracuse		–		–		2	–	9	–	0
Memphis State		–		–		1	–	10	–	0

Rankings from AP Poll

The 1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 17th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 12–0. Penn State defeated the Georgia Bulldogs, 27–23, in the Sugar Bowl to win Paterno's first consensus national championship. The team was selected national champion by AP, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, FB News, Football Research, FW, Litkenhous, Matthews, NCF, NFF, The New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, Sagarin (ELO-Chess), Sporting News, UPI/coaches, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by Helms.^[1]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 4	1:30 p.m.	Temple	No. 8	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN (tape delay)	W 31–14	80,000	^[2]
September 11	1:30 p.m.	Maryland	No. 7	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	TCS	W 39–31	84,597	^[3]
September 18	1:30 p.m.	Rutgers	No. 8	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	TCS	W 49–14	83,268	^[4]
September 25	3:50 p.m.	No. 2 Nebraska	No. 8	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	CBS	W 27–24	85,304	^[5]
October 9	1:30 p.m.	at No. 4 Alabama	No. 3	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	CBS	L 21–42	76,821	^[6]
October 16	1:30 p.m.	Syracuse	No. 8	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	TCS	W 28–7	84,762	^[7]
October 23	1:30 p.m.	at No. 13 West Virginia	No. 9	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (rivalry)	USA	W 24–0	60,958	^[8]
October 30	1:30 p.m.	at Boston College	No. 8	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	TCS	W 52–17	33,205	^[9]
November 6	1:30 p.m.	NC State	No. 7	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	TCS	W 54–0	84,837	^[10]
November 13	3:50 p.m.	at No. 13 Notre Dame	No. 5	Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)	ABC	W 24–14	59,075	^[11]
November 26	12:30 p.m.	No. 5 Pittsburgh	No. 2	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	ABC	W 19–10	85,522	^[12]
January 1, 1983	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 1 Georgia	No. 2	Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl)	ABC	W 27–23	78,124	^[13]
Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	8	7	8	8	3 (7)	3 (9)	8	9	8	7	5 (1)	3 (2)	2 (2)	2 (2)	2	1 (44)
UPI	5	5*	8	5	3 (3)	3 (6)	10	8 (1)	7	6	4 (1)	3 (3)	2 (2)	2 (2)	2 (3)	1 (33)

* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

Game summaries

Temple

Temple vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Temple	0	7	0	7	14
#8 Penn State	21	3	0	7	31

at Beaver Stadium

Date: September 4
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 80,000
Referee: William Parkinson
TV announcers (ESPN): Jim Simpson, Bud Wilkinson

Game information

First Quarter

PSU – Warner, 40-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 7–0)
PSU – Baugh, 31-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 14–0)
PSU – Williams, 16-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 21–0)

Second Quarter

TU – Slade, 1-yard TD pass from Riordan, Clauser kick good, (PSU 21–7)
PSU – Manca, 37-yard field goal, (PSU 24–7)

Third Quarter

No scoring

Fourth Quarter

PSU – Williams, 4-yard TD pass from Blackledge, Manca kick good, (PSU 31–7)
TU – Brown, 14-yard TD pass from Riordan, Clauser kick good, (PSU 31–14)

Top passers

TU –
PSU –

Top rushers

TU –
PSU –

Top receivers

TU –
PSU –

Top defenders

TU –
PSU –

Maryland

Maryland vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Maryland	3	7	14	7	31
#7 Penn State	3	17	9	10	39

at Beaver Stadium

Date: September 11
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 84,597
Referee: J. Vincent Price
TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –
MD –

Second Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
MD –
PSU –

Third Quarter

MD –
PSU –
MD –
PSU –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –
MD –
PSU –

Top passers

MD –
PSU –

Top rushers

MD –
PSU –

Top receivers

MD –
PSU –

Top defenders

MD –
PSU –

Rutgers

Rutgers vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rutgers	7	7	0	0	14
#5 Penn State	7	14	14	14	49

at Beaver Stadium

Date: September 18
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 83,268
Referee: Thomas Thamert
TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –
RUT –

Second Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
RUT –

Third Quarter

PSU –
PSU –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –
PSU –

Top passers

RUT –
PSU –

Top rushers

RUT –
PSU –

Top receivers

RUT –
PSU –

Top defenders

RUT –
PSU –

#2 Nebraska

Nebraska vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#2 Nebraska	0	7	7	10	24
#8 Penn State	7	7	7	6	27

at Beaver Stadium

Date: September 25
Game time: 3:50 PM EDT
Game attendance: 85,304
Referee: William Parkinson
TV announcers (CBS): Gary Bender, Pat Haden

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –

Second Quarter

PSU –
NEB –

Third Quarter

PSU –
NEB –

Fourth Quarter

NEB –
NEB –
PSU –

Top passers

NEB –
PSU –

Top rushers

NEB –
PSU –

Top receivers

NEB –
PSU –

Top defenders

NEB –
PSU –

#4 Alabama

Penn State vs. Alabama – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#3 Penn State	7	0	7	7	21
#4 Alabama	7	14	3	18	42

at Legion Field

Date: October 9
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 76,821
TV announcers (CBS): Gary Bender, Pat Haden

Game information

First Quarter

ALA –
PSU –

Second Quarter

ALA –
ALA –

Third Quarter

PSU –
ALA –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –
ALA –
ALA –
ALA –

Top passers

PSU –
ALA –

Top rushers

PSU –
ALA –

Top receivers

PSU –
ALA –

Top defenders

PSU –
ALA –

Syracuse

Syracuse vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Syracuse	0	7	0	0	7
#8 Penn State	7	14	0	7	28

at Beaver Stadium

Date: October 16
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 84,762
TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –

Second Quarter

PSU –
SU –
PSU –

Third Quarter

No scoring

Fourth Quarter

PSU –

Top passers

SU –
PSU –

Top rushers

SU –
PSU –

Top receivers

SU –
PSU –

Top defenders

SU –
PSU –

#13 West Virginia

Penn State vs. West Virginia – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#9 Penn State	3	7	0	14	24
#13 West Virginia	0	0	0	0	0

at Mountaineer Field

Date: October 23
Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
Game attendance: 60,958
TV: USA

Game information

First Quarter

PSU – Gancitano, 31-yard field goal, 6:14 (PSU 3–0)

Second Quarter

PSU – Williams, 4-yard TD run, Gancitano kick good, 1:57 (PSU 10–0)

Third Quarter

No scoring

Fourth Quarter

PSU – Radecic 85-yard interception return for TD, Gancitano kick good, 11:29 (PSU 17–0)
PSU – Jackson, 9-yard TD run, Gancitano kick good, 2:42 (PSU 24–0)

Top passers

PSU –
WVU –

Top rushers

PSU –
WVU –

Top receivers

PSU –
WVU –

Top defenders

PSU –
WVU –

Boston College

Penn State vs. Boston College – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#8 Penn State	14	17	7	14	52
Boston College	7	3	0	7	17

at Alumni Stadium

Date: October 30
Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
Game attendance: 33,205
TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno

Game information

First Quarter

BC –
PSU –
PSU –

Second Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
BC –
PSU –

Third Quarter

PSU –

Fourth Quarter

BC –
PSU –
PSU –

Top passers

PSU –
BC –

Top rushers

PSU –
BC –

Top receivers

PSU –
BC –

Top defenders

PSU –
BC –

North Carolina State

North Carolina State vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
North Carolina State	0	0	0	0	0
#7 Penn State	17	9	21	7	54

at Beaver Stadium

Date: November 6
Game time: 1:30 PM EST
Game attendance: 84,762
Referee: Thomas Thamert
TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
PSU –

Second Quarter

PSU –
PSU –

Third Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
PSU –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –

Top passers

NCST –
PSU –

Top rushers

NCST –
PSU –

Top receivers

NCST –
PSU –

Top defenders

NCST –
PSU –

#13 Notre Dame

Penn State vs. Notre Dame – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#5 Penn State	0	13	0	11	24
#13 Notre Dame	7	7	0	0	14

at Notre Dame Stadium

Date: November 13
Game time: 3:50 PM EST
Game attendance: 59,075
TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, Tim Brant
^[14]

Game information

First Quarter

ND – C. Smith, 8-yard TD pass from Karcher, Johnston kick good (ND 7–0)

Second Quarter

PSU – Blackledge, 1-yard TD run, Gancitano kick good (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Gancitano 41-yard field goal (PSU 10–7)
PSU – Gancitano 29-yard field goal (PSU 13–7)
ND – Pinkett, 93-yard TD kickoff return, Johnston kick good (ND 14–13)

Third Quarter

No scoring

Fourth Quarter

PSU – Warner, 48-yard TD pass from Blackledge, pass failed (PSU 19–14)
PSU – Safety, Pinkett tackled by Ashley in end zone (PSU 21–14)
PSU – Gancitano 27-yard field goal (PSU 24–14)

Top passing

PSU –
ND –

Top rushers

PSU –
ND –

Top receivers

PSU –
ND –

Top defenders

PSU –
ND –

#5 Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#5 Pittsburgh	0	7	0	3	10
#2 Penn State	3	0	10	6	19

at Beaver Stadium

Date: November 26
Game time: 12:30 PM EST
Game attendance: 85,722
Referee: Raymond Bower
TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Lee Grosscup, Tim Brant

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –

Second Quarter

PITT –

Third Quarter

PSU –
PSU –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –
PITT –
PSU –

Top passers

PITT –
PSU –

Top rushers

PITT –
PSU –

Top receivers

PITT –
PSU –

Top defenders

PITT –
PSU –

#1 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)

Overall record	Previous meeting	Previous winner
First meeting

Penn State vs. Georgia – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#2 Penn State	7	13	0	7	27
#1 Georgia	3	7	7	6	23

at Louisiana Superdome

Date: January 1, 1983
Game time: 8:00 PM EST
Game attendance: 78,127
Referee: Vance Carlson
TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, Jim Lampley

Game information

First Quarter

PSU –
UGA –

Second Quarter

PSU –
PSU –
PSU –
UGA –

Third Quarter

UGA –

Fourth Quarter

PSU –
UGA –

Top passers

PSU –
UGA –

Top rushers

PSU –
UGA –

Top receivers

PSU –
UGA –

Top defenders

PSU –
UGA –

Roster

1982 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
RB		Tom Barr
OL		Mark Battaglia
WR		Kevin Baugh
QB	`14`	Todd Blackledge	Sr
TE	`80`	Kirk Bowman	Jr
WR		Kevin Campbell
RB		Joel Coles
OT	`79`	Bill Contz	Sr
TE		Dean DiMidio
RB		Bill Emerson
WR	`19`	Gregg Garrity	Sr
C	`58`	Nick Haden	So
OT	`72`	Ron Heller	Jr
WR	`82`	Kenny Jackson	Jr
G	`60`	Dave Laube	Sr
QB		Dan Lonergan
OL		Dick Maginnis
TE	`81`	Mike McCloskey	Sr
RB	`29`	Tony Mumford	So
RB		Skeeter Nichols
OL		Stan Short
G	`56`	Pete Speros	Jr
QB		Doug Strang
TE		John Walter
RB	`25`	Curt Warner	Sr
WR		Rocky Washington
FB	`43`	Jon Williams	So

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
LB		Rogers Alexander
CB	`39`	Dan Biondi	Sr
CB	`23`	Alvin Cunningham	So
CB	`92`	Mark Fruehan	Sr
DT	`70`	Greg Gattuso	Jr
Hero	`17`	Harry Hamilton	Jr
LB		Al Harris
DL		Joe Hines
CB	`49`	Roger Jackson	Sr
LB	`98`	Ken Kelley	Sr
LB	`37`	Walker Lee Ashley	Sr
LB		Carmen Masciantonio
DB		Brian McCann
DT	`65`	Dave Opfar	Sr
LB	`33`	Dave Paffenroth	Sr
LB	`55`	Rodger Puz	Sr
LB	`97`	Scott Radecic	Jr
S	`32`	Mark Robinson	Jr
DL		Steve Sefter
DB		Mike Suter
DB		Chris Sydnor
DB		Mike Zordich

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
PK	`13`	Nick Gancitano	So
P	`21`	Ralph Giacomarro	Sr
PK	`10`	Massimo Manca	Fr
P		George Reynolds

Head coach

Joe Paterno

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Dick Anderson
John Bove
Tom Bradley
Booker Brooks
Fran Ganter
Bob Phillips
John Rosenberg
Jerry Sandusky
Jim Williams

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster

Awards

Todd Blackledge

Davey O'Brien Award

Joe Paterno

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

Pete Speros

Nittany Lion of the Year

NFL draft

Nine Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1983 NFL draft.

Round	Pick	Overall	Name	Position	Team
1st	3	3	Curt Warner	Running back	Seattle Seahawks
1st	7	7	Todd Blackledge	Quarterback	Kansas City Chiefs
3rd	17	73	Walker Lee Ashley	Linebacker	Minnesota Vikings
4th	4	88	Mike McCloskey	Tight end	Houston Oilers
5th	10	122	Bill Contz	Offensive tackle	Cleveland Browns
5th	28	140	Gregg Garrity	Wide receiver	Pittsburgh Steelers
10th	8	261	Dave Laube	Offensive guard	Detroit Lions
10th	10	263	Pete Speros	Offensive guard	Seattle Seahawks
10th	15	268	Ralph Giacomarro	Punter	Atlanta Falcons

Media

Radio

Flagship station	Play-by-play	Color commentator	Sideline reporter	Studio host
WMAJ AM 1450	Fran Fisher	John Grant

References

^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 114. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
^ "Penn State thumps Owls on early scores". Courier-Post. September 5, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State rallies to edge Maryland". The Sunday News. September 12, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Wide-open Penn State crushes Rutgers, 49–14". Daily Record. September 19, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State comeback kills Huskers' hopes". The Sioux City Journal. September 26, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "'Bama brings Penn State back to earth". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 10, 1982. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Lions' running game wakes up in 28–7 triumph". The Times-Tribune. October 17, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State's defense devastates W. Virginia". Democrat and Chronicle. October 24, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State destroys BC". Boston Sunday Globe. October 31, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Nittany Lions follow new script". The Sunday Times. November 7, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State stops Irish". The Macon Telegraph & News. November 14, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State needs 'one more' after big win over Pittsburgh". Lancaster New Era. November 27, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State slips by top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs". The Daily Advertiser. January 2, 1983. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Eugene Register-Guard. November 14, 1982. Retrieved December 15, 2014.

[2018ncaabook-1] 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 114. Retrieved December 10, 2018.

[2] "Penn State thumps Owls on early scores". Courier-Post. September 5, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[3] "Penn State rallies to edge Maryland". The Sunday News. September 12, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[4] "Wide-open Penn State crushes Rutgers, 49–14". Daily Record. September 19, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[5] "Penn State comeback kills Huskers' hopes". The Sioux City Journal. September 26, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[1982PennState1-6] "'Bama brings Penn State back to earth". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 10, 1982. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

[7] "Lions' running game wakes up in 28–7 triumph". The Times-Tribune. October 17, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[8] "Penn State's defense devastates W. Virginia". Democrat and Chronicle. October 24, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[9] "Penn State destroys BC". Boston Sunday Globe. October 31, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[10] "Nittany Lions follow new script". The Sunday Times. November 7, 1982. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "Penn State stops Irish". The Macon Telegraph & News. November 14, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[12] "Penn State needs 'one more' after big win over Pittsburgh". Lancaster New Era. November 27, 1982. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[13] "Penn State slips by top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs". The Daily Advertiser. January 2, 1983. Retrieved February 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[14] Eugene Register-Guard. November 14, 1982. Retrieved December 15, 2014.

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v t e Penn State Nittany Lions football
Venues	Old Main lawn (until 1891) Beaver Field (1892–1908) New Beaver Field (1909–1959) Beaver Stadium (1960–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota: Governor's Victory Bell Ohio State Old Ironsides Pittsburgh Syracuse West Virginia
Culture & lore	Nittany Lion "Fight On, State" Penn State Blue Band Uplifting Athletes Joe Paterno statue Something for Joey 1982 Nebraska game Child sex abuse scandal 2016 Ohio State game Paterno White Out 2021 Illinois game
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1881 1882–1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
National championship seasons in bold

v t e College football national champions (poll era)
1936–1949	1936: Minnesota (AP) 1937: Pittsburgh 1938: TCU 1939: Texas A&M 1940: Minnesota 1941: Minnesota 1942: Ohio State 1943: Notre Dame 1944: Army 1945: Army (AP) / Oklahoma A&M (AFCA) 1946: Notre Dame 1947: Notre Dame 1948: Michigan 1949: Notre Dame
1950s	1950: Oklahoma (AP, Coaches) 1951: Tennessee 1952: Michigan State 1953: Maryland 1954: Ohio State (AP) / UCLA (FWAA, Coaches) 1955: Oklahoma 1956: Oklahoma 1957: Auburn (AP) / Ohio State (Coaches, FWAA) 1958: LSU (AP, Coaches) / Iowa (FWAA) 1959: Syracuse (AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF)
1960s	1960: Minnesota (AP, Coaches, NFF) / Ole Miss (FWAA) 1961: Alabama (AP, Coaches, NFF) / Ohio State (FWAA) 1962: USC 1963: Texas 1964: Alabama (AP, Coaches) / Arkansas (FWAA) / Notre Dame (NFF) 1965: Alabama (AP, FWAA) / Michigan State (Coaches, FWAA, NFF) 1966: Notre Dame (AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF) / Michigan State (NFF) 1967: USC 1968: Ohio State 1969: Texas
1970s	1970: Nebraska (AP, FWAA) / Texas (NFF, Coaches) / Ohio State (NFF) 1971: Nebraska 1972: USC 1973: Notre Dame (AP, FWAA, NFF) / Alabama (Coaches) 1974: Oklahoma (AP) / USC (FWAA, NFF, Coaches) 1975: Oklahoma 1976: Pittsburgh 1977: Notre Dame 1978: Alabama (AP, FWAA, NFF) / USC (Coaches) 1979: Alabama
1980–1991	1980: Georgia 1981: Clemson 1982: Penn State 1983: Miami (FL) 1984: BYU 1985: Oklahoma 1986: Penn State 1987: Miami (FL) 1988: Notre Dame 1989: Miami (FL) 1990: Colorado (AP, FWAA, NFF, USAT/CNN) / Georgia Tech (Coaches) 1991: Miami (FL) (AP) / Washington (Coaches, FWAA, UPI/NFF)