| Year: | 1970 |
| Team: | Penn State Nittany Lions |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 19 |
| Aprank: | 18 |
| Record: | 7–3 |
| Head Coach: | Joe Paterno |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Off Scheme: | I formation |
| Def Coach: | Jim O'Hora |
| Dc Year: | 5th |
| Def Scheme: | 4–3 |
| Captain: | Jack Ham |
| Captain2: | Warren Koegel |
| Stadium: | Beaver Stadium |
The 1970 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The team was led by fifth-year head coach Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The Nittany Lions entered the season with a 22-game winning streak, unbeaten (29–0–1) in their last thirty games.[1] [2] By mid-season, they had dropped three (including one at home), then won the last five to finish at 7–3 and climbed to No. 18 in the final AP poll.[3]
Notable players included senior linebacker Jack Ham and junior running backs Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris.
After three consecutive bowl appearances, Penn State stayed home this year, but went to a bowl in each of the next thirteen seasons.
Four Nittany Lions were selected in the 1971 NFL draft.
| Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Position | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 8 | 34 | Pittsburgh Steelers | |||
| 3rd | 21 | 73 | Oakland Raiders | |||
| 11th | 22 | 282 | Wide receiver | Miami Dolphins | ||
| 16th | 24 | 414 | Wide receiver/Tight end | Minnesota Vikings |