The 1976 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 7âÂÂ5 with a loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. Penn State played home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Four Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1977 NFL draft.