| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | Penn State Nittany Lions |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 18 |
| Aprank: | 20 |
| Record: | 8–4 |
| Head Coach: | Joe Paterno |
| Hc Year: | 14th |
| Def Coach: | Jerry Sandusky |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Scheme: | I formation |
| Def Scheme: | 4–3 |
| Stadium: | Beaver Stadium |
| Champion: | Liberty Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Liberty Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 9–6 vs. Tulane |
The 1979 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Seven Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1980 NFL draft.
| Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Position | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | 4 | Green Bay Packers | |||
| 2nd | 15 | 43 | Oakland Raiders | |||
| 2nd | 18 | 46 | Chicago Bears | |||
| 2nd | 22 | 50 | Los Angeles Rams | |||
| 3rd | 13 | 69 | New York Jets | |||
| 6th | 16 | 154 | Los Angeles Rams | |||
| 9th | 9 | 230 | Kansas City Chiefs |