| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | Penn State Nittany Lions |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 3 |
| Aprank: | 3 |
| Record: | 10–2 |
| Hc Year: | 16th |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Dc Year: | 5th |
| Champion: | National champion (Dunkel) Eastern champion Fiesta Bowl champion |
| Bowl Result: | W 26–10 vs. USC |
The 1981 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season.[1] The team was selected national champion by Dunkel, an NCAA-designated major selector,[2] while Clemson, who finished the season 12–0, was the consensus national champion.
See also: 1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.
Following the game, Penn State accepted an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl.
The Nittany Lions snapped the Panthers' 17-game winning streak in convincing fashion.[4]
See main article: 1982 Fiesta Bowl.
See also: 1981 USC Trojans football team.
Ten Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1982 NFL draft.
| Round | Pick | Overall | Name | Position | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | 8 | Houston Oilers | |||
| 1st | 17 | 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||
| 2nd | 1 | 28 | Baltimore Colts | |||
| 2nd | 10 | 37 | Los Angeles Raiders | |||
| 3rd | 23 | 78 | Philadelphia Eagles | |||
| 3rd | 25 | 80 | Miami Dolphins | |||
| 5th | 15 | 126 | Green Bay Packers | |||
| 6th | 13 | 152 | Green Bay Packers | |||
| 9th | 11 | 234 | Linebacker | Houston Oilers | ||
| 10th | 12 | 263 | Linebacker | Los Angeles Raiders |
Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award