The 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 11âÂÂ1 and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Alberto Vitiello, a junior college transfer, kicked a 22-yard field goal with four minutes to help Penn State escape with a 16âÂÂ14 victory over Air Force.
Four Nittany Lions were selected in the 1972 NFL draft.