The 1970 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 7âÂÂ3. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The Nittany Lions entered the season with a 22-game winning streak, unbeaten (29âÂÂ0âÂÂ1) in their last thirty games. By mid-season, they had dropped three (including one at home), then won the last five to finish at 7âÂÂ3 and climbed to No. 18 in the final AP poll.
Notable players included senior linebacker Jack Ham and junior running backs Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris.
Four Nittany Lions were selected in the 1971 NFL draft.