In 27 days, Penn State will be at home against Nevada to open up the 2025 football season.
It’s a season that many believe could see Penn State in the hunt for a national title with a veteran quarterback and talent all over the field.
It was a similar feeling back in 1982 as Penn State opened the year in the Top 10 and ultimately saw the Lions go 10-1 against a tough schedule. Joe Paterno’s group was 4-1 against ranked teams, including wins against Top 5 Nebraska and Pittsburgh.
Ranked No. 2 after the
regular season, Penn State earned a spot in the Sugar Bowl opposite No. 1 Georgia. It was a chance at redemption for the Lions, who had a lost a narrow Sugar Bowl back in January 1979 against Alabama that cost Penn State its first national title.
Against the Bulldogs, Penn State and Paterno would get their long awaited championship. The Lions’ defense was dominant early and Penn State’s offense drove the field for a few scores in building a 20-3 lead late in the first half.
Penn State scored just once in the second half, but it was one of the most legendary touchdowns in program history. Leading 20-17, Todd Blackledge hit Gregg Garrity streaking down the sideline to once again give the Lions a two-score lead.
Georgia scored again late to cut it to 27-23, but Penn State did enough to grind out the clock and won on a walkoff punt. Paterno was carried off the field and Penn State had the first of its two claimed national titles.
Redshirt sophomore Lamont Payne Jr. will be wearing No. 27 for the Lions when they take the field on Aug. 30 against Nevada.
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