The 1981 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 16th-year head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 10âÂÂ2. Penn State was invited to the Fiesta Bowl, where the Nittany Lions defeated USC. The team was selected national champion by Dunkel, an NCAA-designated major selector, while Clemson, who finished the season 12âÂÂ0, was the consensus national champion.
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.
Ten Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1982 NFL draft.