# 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

The 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 21st-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 12–0. Penn State defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 14–10, in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl to win Paterno's second consensus national championship. The team was named national champion by AP, Billingsley, FB News, FW, Matthews, NCF, NFF, Sporting News, UPI, and USA/CNN, while named co-champion by FACT, Sagarin (ELO-Chess).

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 6 | 7:00 p.m. | Temple | No. 6 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA | TCS | W 45–15 | 85,732 |
| September 20 | 7:00 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 5 | Sullivan StadiumFoxborough, MA | ESPN | W 26–14 | 42,329 |
| September 27 | 1:30 p.m. | East Carolina | No. 7 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA | TCS | W 42–17 | 84,774 |
| October 4 | 12:20 p.m. | Rutgers | No. 5 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA | TCS | W 31–6 | 84,000 |
| October 11 | 12:20 p.m. | Cincinnati | No. 5 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA | TCS | W 23–17 | 84,812 |
| October 18 | 1:30 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 6 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA (rivalry) | TCS | W 42–3 | 85,512 |
| October 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 2 Alabama | No. 6 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | ABC | W 23–3 | 60,210 |
| November 1 | 7:30 p.m. | at West Virginia | No. 2 | Mountaineer FieldMorgantown, WV (rivalry) | ESPN | W 19–0 | 59,184 |
| November 8 | 1:00 p.m. | Maryland | No. 2 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA (rivalry) | TCS | W 17–15 | 85,561 |
| November 15 | 3:30 p.m. | at Notre Dame | No. 3 | Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN (rivalry) | ABC | W 24–19 | 59,075 |
| November 22 | 12:20 p.m. | Pittsburgh | No. 2 | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA (rivalry) | TCS | W 34–14 | 85,722 |
| January 2, 1987 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Miami (FL) | No. 2 | Sun Devil StadiumTempe, AZ (Fiesta Bowl) | NBC | W 14–10 | 73,098 |
| HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||||

## Rankings
### AP Poll

| Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Final |
| 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |

### UPI Poll

| Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Final |
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |

## Game summaries
### Temple

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Temple | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| #6 Penn State | 21 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: September 6
* Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 85,732
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
TU –
TU –
Third Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
TU –
PSU –
TU –
Top passers
TU –
PSU –
Top rushers
TU –
PSU –
Top receivers
TU –
PSU –
Top defenders
TU –
PSU – :

### Boston College

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #5 Penn State | 9 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 26 |
| Boston College | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
at Sullivan Stadium
* Date: September 20
* Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 42,329
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Kevin Kiley, Tim Brando
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
Third Quarter
BC –
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
PSU –
BC –
Top passers
PSU –
BC –
Top rushers
PSU –
BC –
Top receivers
PSU –
BC –
Top defenders
PSU –
BC – :

### East Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| East Carolina | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
| #7 Penn State | 14 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 42 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 84,774
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
PSU –
Third Quarter
ECU –
Fourth Quarter
PSU –
ECU –
ECU –
Top passers
ECU –
PSU –
Top rushers
ECU –
PSU –
Top receivers
ECU –
PSU –
Top defenders
ECU –
PSU – :

### Rutgers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rutgers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| #5 Penn State | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: October 4
* Game time: 12:20 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 84,000
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
Third Quarter
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
RUT –
PSU –
Top passers
RUT –
PSU –
Top rushers
RUT –
PSU –
Top receivers
RUT –
PSU –
Top defenders
RUT –
PSU – :

### Cincinnati

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| #5 Penn State | 0 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 23 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: October 11
* Game time: 12:20 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 84,812
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
UC –
PSU –
PSU –
Third Quarter
UC –
Fourth Quarter
UC –
PSU –
PSU –
Top passers
UC –
PSU –
Top rushers
UC –
PSU –
Top receivers
UC –
PSU –
Top defenders
UC –
PSU – :

### Syracuse

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Syracuse | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| #6 Penn State | 17 | 9 | 21 | 7 | 54 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: October 18
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 85,512
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
Third Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
SU –
PSU –
PSU –
Top passers
SU –
PSU –
Top rushers
SU –
PSU –
Top receivers
SU –
PSU –
Top defenders
SU –
PSU – :

### #2 Alabama

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #6 Penn State | 0 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
| #2 Alabama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Bryant–Denny Stadium
* Date: October 25
* Game time: 3:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 60,210
* TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Tim Brant, Al Trautwig
Game information :
First Quarter
ALA – Tiffin, 40-yard field goal, (ALA 3–0)
Second Quarter
PSU – Dozier, 19-yard TD run, Manca kick good, (PSU 7–3)
PSU – Thomas, 3-yard TD run, Manca kick good, (PSU 14–3)
Third Quarter
PSU – Manca, 37-yard field goal, (PSU 17–3)
Fourth Quarter
PSU – Manca, 29-yard field goal, (PSU 20–3)
PSU – Manca, 42-yard field goal, (PSU 23–3)
Top passers
PSU –
ALA –
Top rushers
PSU –
ALA –
Top receivers
PSU –
ALA –
Top defenders
PSU –
ALA – :

### West Virginia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #2 Penn State | 7 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 19 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Mountaineer Field
* Date: November 1
* Game time: 7:30 PM EST
* Game attendance: 59,184
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Kevin Kiley, Tim Brando
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU – Dozier, 23-yard TD pass from Shaffer, Manca kick good, 10:55 (PSU 7–0)
Second Quarter
PSU – Manca, 42-yard field goal, 12:08 (PSU 10–0)
PSU – Manca, 37-yard field goal, 7:59 (PSU 13–0)
Third Quarter
PSU – Manca, 22-yard field goal, 6:04 (PSU 16–0)
PSU – Manca, 27-yard field goal, 3:13 (PSU 19–0)
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
Top passers
PSU –
WVU –
Top rushers
PSU –
WVU –
Top receivers
PSU –
WVU –
Top defenders
PSU –
WVU – :

### Maryland

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Maryland | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| #2 Penn State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: November 8
* Game time: 1:00 PM EST
* Game attendance: 85,651
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
PSU – Dozier, 1-yard TD run, Manca kick good, (PSU 7–0)
Third Quarter
MD – Plocki, 18-yard field goal, (PSU 7–3)
Fourth Quarter
PSU – Dozier, 9-yard TD run, Manca kick good, (PSU 14–3)
MD – Joines, 16-yard TD pass from Henning, 2-point pass failed, (PSU 14–9)
PSU – Manca, 37-yard field goal, (PSU 17–9)
MD – Bonato, 27-yard TD pass from Henning, 2-point pass failed, (PSU 17–15)
Top passers
MD –
PSU –
Top rushers
MD –
PSU –
Top receivers
MD –
PSU –
Top defenders
MD –
PSU – :

### Notre Dame

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #3 Penn State | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
at Notre Dame Stadium
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 3:30 PM EST
* Game attendance: 59,075
* TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson, Tim Brant, Al Trautwig
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
Second Quarter
ND –
ND –
PSU –
Third Quarter
ND –
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
PSU –
ND –
Top passers
PSU –
ND –
Top rushers
PSU –
ND –
Top receivers
PSU –
ND –
Top defenders
PSU –
ND – :

### Pittsburgh

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Pittsburgh | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| #2 Penn State | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: November 22
* Game time: 12:20 PM EST
* Game attendance: 85,722
* TV announcers (TCS): Stan Savran, George Paterno
Game information :
First Quarter
PSU –
PITT –
PSU –
Second Quarter
PSU –
Third Quarter
PSU –
PSU –
Fourth Quarter
PSU –
PITT –
Top passers
PITT –
PSU –
Top rushers
PITT –
PSU –
Top receivers
PITT –
PSU –
Top defenders
PITT –
PSU – :

### #1 Miami (FL) (Sunkist Fiesta Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #1 Miami (FL) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| #2 Penn State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Sun Devil Stadium
* Date: January 2, 1987
* Game time: 8:00 PM EST
* Game attendance: 73,098
* Referee: Jimmy Harper
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Bob Griese, Jimmy Cefalo, Ahmad Rashad
Game information :
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
MIA – Bratton, 1-yard TD run, Seelig kick good, 6:38 (MIA 7–0)
PSU – Shaffer, 4-yard TD run, Manca kick good, 1:14 (TIE 7–7)
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
MIA – Seelig, 38-yard field goal, 11:49 (MIA 10–7)
PSU – Dozier, 6-yard TD run, Manca kick good, 8:13 (PSU 14–10)
Top passers
MIA –
PSU –
Top rushers
MIA –
PSU –
Top receivers
MIA –
PSU –
Top defenders
MIA –
PSU – :

## Awards

* Joe Paterno
       Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
       Paul "Bear" Bryant Award

## NFL Draft

Thirteen Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1987 NFL draft.
| Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Position | Team |
| 1st | 8 | 8 | Shane Conlan | Linebacker | Buffalo Bills |
| 1st | 14 | 14 | D.J. Dozier | Running back | Minnesota Vikings |
| 3rd | 24 | 80 | Tim Manoa | Running back | Cleveland Browns |
| 3rd | 25 | 81 | Steve Smith | Running back | Los Angeles Raiders |
| 4th | 1 | 84 | Don Graham | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 5th | 14 | 126 | John Bruno | Punter | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 5th | 20 | 132 | Chris Conlin | Offensive guard | Miami Dolphins |
| 6th | 1 | 141 | Tim Johnson | Defensive end | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 6th | 22 | 162 | Bob White | Defensive line | San Francisco 49ers |
| 8th | 27 | 222 | Dan Morgan | Offensive guard | Denver Broncos |
| 9th | 24 | 247 | Bob Ontko | Linebacker | Indianapolis Colts |
| 10th | 17 | 268 | Sid Lewis | Defensive back | New York Jets |
| 11th | 7 | 286 | Brian Siverling | Tight End | Detroit Lions |

## Media
### Radio

| Flagship station | Play-by-play | Color commentator | Sideline reporter | Studio host |
| WMAJ AM 1450 | Gil Santos Lanny Frattare | | | |