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List of Penn State Nittany Lions bowl games

Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:06:19 AM Wikipedia source

The Penn State Nittany Lions football have competed in 55 bowl games compiling a record of 32–21–2 (.600). The Nittany Lions hold a 18–8–1 (.685) record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, Peach, and Cotton). Coach Joe Paterno was responsible for most of these bids and victories, compiling more wins, 24, and appearances, 37, than any other coach in college football history, with a bowl record of 24–12–1 (.662). Paterno also had a record of 13–4–0 (.765) in "major" bowls. Paterno is one of only two coaches in history to have competed in and won all five major bowls with the other being Bob Stoops at Oklahoma.

Tables

Results · Key
L
L
W
L
Win
Loss
T
T
W
T
Win
Tie
W
Win
L
Loss
T
Tie
List of bowl games showing bowl played in, score, date, season, opponent, stadium, location, attendance and head coach[A 1] · Bowl games
1
1
#
1
Bowl
Rose Bowl
Score
L 14–3
Date
January 1, 1923
Season
1922
Opponent
USC Trojans
Stadium
Rose Bowl
Location
Pasadena
Attendance
43,000
Head coach
Hugo Bezdek
2
2
#
2
Bowl
Cotton Bowl Classic
Score
T 13–13
Date
January 1, 1948
Season
1947
Opponent
SMU Mustangs
Stadium
Cotton Bowl
Location
Dallas
Attendance
47,000
Head coach
Bob Higgins
3
3
#
3
Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Score
W 7–0
Date
December 19, 1959
Season
1959
Opponent
Alabama Crimson Tide
Stadium
Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
Location
Philadelphia
Attendance
36,211
Head coach
Rip Engle
4
4
#
4
Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Score
W 41–12
Date
December 20, 1960
Season
1960
Opponent
Oregon Ducks
Stadium
Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
Location
Philadelphia
Attendance
16,624
Head coach
Rip Engle
5
5
#
5
Bowl
Gator Bowl
Score
W 30–15
Date
December 30, 1961
Season
1961
Opponent
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
Stadium
Gator Bowl Stadium
Location
Jacksonville
Attendance
50,202
Head coach
Rip Engle
6
6
#
6
Bowl
Gator Bowl
Score
L 17–7
Date
December 29, 1962
Season
1962
Opponent
Florida Gators
Stadium
Gator Bowl Stadium
Location
Jacksonville
Attendance
50,026
Head coach
Rip Engle
7
7
#
7
Bowl
Gator Bowl
Score
T 17–17
Date
December 30, 1967
Season
1967
Opponent
Florida State Seminoles
Stadium
Gator Bowl Stadium
Location
Jacksonville
Attendance
68,019
Head coach
Joe Paterno
8
8
#
8
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
W 15–14
Date
January 1, 1969
Season
1968
Opponent
Kansas Jayhawks
Stadium
Orange Bowl
Location
Miami
Attendance
77,719
Head coach
Joe Paterno
9
9
#
9
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
W 10–3
Date
January 1, 1970
Season
1969
Opponent
Missouri Tigers
Stadium
Orange Bowl
Location
Miami
Attendance
77,282
Head coach
Joe Paterno
10
10
#
10
Bowl
Cotton Bowl Classic
Score
W 30–6
Date
January 1, 1972
Season
1971
Opponent
Texas Longhorns
Stadium
Cotton Bowl
Location
Dallas
Attendance
70,000
Head coach
Joe Paterno
11
11
#
11
Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Score
L 14–0
Date
December 31, 1972
Season
1972
Opponent
Oklahoma Sooners
Stadium
Tulane Stadium
Location
New Orleans
Attendance
80,123
Head coach
Joe Paterno
12
12
#
12
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
W 16–9
Date
January 1, 1974
Season
1973
Opponent
LSU Tigers
Stadium
Orange Bowl
Location
Miami
Attendance
60,477
Head coach
Joe Paterno
13
13
#
13
Bowl
Cotton Bowl Classic
Score
W 41–20
Date
January 1, 1975
Season
1974
Opponent
Baylor Bears
Stadium
Cotton Bowl
Location
Dallas
Attendance
68,500
Head coach
Joe Paterno
14
14
#
14
Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Score
L 13–6
Date
December 31, 1975
Season
1975
Opponent
Alabama Crimson Tide
Stadium
Louisiana Superdome
Location
New Orleans
Attendance
75,212
Head coach
Joe Paterno
15
15
#
15
Bowl
Gator Bowl
Score
L 20–9
Date
December 27, 1976
Season
1976
Opponent
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Stadium
Gator Bowl Stadium
Location
Jacksonville
Attendance
67,827
Head coach
Joe Paterno
16
16
#
16
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 42–30
Date
December 25, 1977
Season
1977
Opponent
Arizona State Sun Devils
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
57,727
Head coach
Joe Paterno
17
17
#
17
Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Score
L 14–7
Date
January 1, 1979
Season
1978
Opponent
Alabama Crimson Tide
Stadium
Louisiana Superdome
Location
New Orleans
Attendance
76,824
Head coach
Joe Paterno
18
18
#
18
Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Score
W 9–6
Date
December 22, 1979
Season
1979
Opponent
Tulane Green Wave
Stadium
Liberty Bowl
Location
Memphis
Attendance
50,021
Head coach
Joe Paterno
19
19
#
19
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 31–19
Date
December 26, 1980
Season
1980
Opponent
Ohio State Buckeyes
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
66,738
Head coach
Joe Paterno
20
20
#
20
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 26–10
Date
January 1, 1982
Season
1981
Opponent
USC Trojans
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
71,053
Head coach
Joe Paterno
21
21
#
21
Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Score
W 27–23
Date
January 1, 1983
Season
1982
Opponent
Georgia Bulldogs
Stadium
Louisiana Superdome
Location
New Orleans
Attendance
78,127
Head coach
Joe Paterno
22
22
#
22
Bowl
Aloha Bowl
Score
W 13–10
Date
December 26, 1983
Season
1983
Opponent
Washington Huskies
Stadium
Aloha Stadium
Location
Honolulu
Attendance
37,212
Head coach
Joe Paterno
23
23
#
23
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
L 25–10
Date
January 1, 1986
Season
1985
Opponent
Oklahoma Sooners
Stadium
Orange Bowl
Location
Miami
Attendance
74,178
Head coach
Joe Paterno
24
24
#
24
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 14–10
Date
January 2, 1987
Season
1986
Opponent
Miami Hurricanes
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
73,098
Head coach
Joe Paterno
25
25
#
25
Bowl
Florida Citrus Bowl
Score
L 35–10
Date
January 1, 1988
Season
1987
Opponent
Clemson Tigers
Stadium
Florida Citrus Bowl
Location
Orlando
Attendance
53,152
Head coach
Joe Paterno
26
26
#
26
Bowl
Holiday Bowl
Score
W 50–39
Date
December 30, 1989
Season
1989
Opponent
BYU Cougars
Stadium
Jack Murphy Stadium
Location
San Diego
Attendance
61,113
Head coach
Joe Paterno
27
27
#
27
Bowl
Blockbuster Bowl
Score
L 24–17
Date
December 28, 1990
Season
1990
Opponent
Florida State Seminoles
Stadium
Joe Robbie Stadium
Location
Miami Gardens
Attendance
74,021
Head coach
Joe Paterno
28
28
#
28
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 42–17
Date
January 1, 1992
Season
1991
Opponent
Tennessee Volunteers
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
71,133
Head coach
Joe Paterno
29
29
#
29
Bowl
Blockbuster Bowl
Score
L 24–3
Date
January 1, 1993
Season
1992
Opponent
Stanford Cardinal
Stadium
Joe Robbie Stadium
Location
Miami Gardens
Attendance
45,554
Head coach
Joe Paterno
30
30
#
30
Bowl
Florida Citrus Bowl
Score
W 31–13
Date
January 1, 1994
Season
1993
Opponent
Tennessee Volunteers
Stadium
Florida Citrus Bowl
Location
Orlando
Attendance
72,456
Head coach
Joe Paterno
31
31
#
31
Bowl
Rose Bowl
Score
W 38–20
Date
January 2, 1995
Season
1994
Opponent
Oregon Ducks
Stadium
Rose Bowl
Location
Pasadena
Attendance
102,247
Head coach
Joe Paterno
32
32
#
32
Bowl
Outback Bowl
Score
W 43–14
Date
January 1, 1996
Season
1995
Opponent
Auburn Tigers
Stadium
Tampa Stadium
Location
Tampa
Attendance
65,313
Head coach
Joe Paterno
33
33
#
33
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 38–15
Date
January 1, 1997
Season
1996
Opponent
Texas Longhorns
Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium
Location
Tempe
Attendance
65,106
Head coach
Joe Paterno
34
34
#
34
Bowl
Florida Citrus Bowl
Score
L 21–6
Date
January 1, 1998
Season
1997
Opponent
Florida Gators
Stadium
Florida Citrus Bowl
Location
Orlando
Attendance
72,940
Head coach
Joe Paterno
35
35
#
35
Bowl
Outback Bowl
Score
W 26–14
Date
January 1, 1999
Season
1998
Opponent
Kentucky Wildcats
Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Location
Tampa
Attendance
66,005
Head coach
Joe Paterno
36
36
#
36
Bowl
Alamo Bowl
Score
W 24–0
Date
December 28, 1999
Season
1999
Opponent
Texas A&M Aggies
Stadium
Alamodome
Location
San Antonio
Attendance
65,380
Head coach
Joe Paterno
37
37
#
37
Bowl
Capital One Bowl
Score
L 13–9
Date
January 1, 2003
Season
2002
Opponent
Auburn Tigers
Stadium
Florida Citrus Bowl
Location
Orlando
Attendance
66,334
Head coach
Joe Paterno
38
38
#
38
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
W 26–23 3OT
Date
January 3, 2006
Season
2005
Opponent
Florida State Seminoles
Stadium
Dolphins Stadium
Location
Miami Gardens
Attendance
77,912
Head coach
Joe Paterno
39
39
#
39
Bowl
Outback Bowl
Score
W 20–10
Date
January 1, 2007
Season
2006
Opponent
Tennessee Volunteers
Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Location
Tampa
Attendance
65,601
Head coach
Joe Paterno
40
40
#
40
Bowl
Alamo Bowl
Score
W 24–17
Date
December 28, 2007
Season
2007
Opponent
Texas A&M Aggies
Stadium
Alamodome
Location
San Antonio
Attendance
66,166
Head coach
Joe Paterno
41
41
#
41
Bowl
Rose Bowl
Score
L 38–24
Date
January 1, 2009
Season
2008
Opponent
USC Trojans
Stadium
Rose Bowl
Location
Pasadena
Attendance
93,293
Head coach
Joe Paterno
42
42
#
42
Bowl
Capital One Bowl
Score
W 19–17
Date
January 1, 2010
Season
2009
Opponent
LSU Tigers
Stadium
Florida Citrus Bowl
Location
Orlando
Attendance
63,025
Head coach
Joe Paterno
43
43
#
43
Bowl
Outback Bowl
Score
L 37–24
Date
January 1, 2011
Season
2010
Opponent
Florida Gators
Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Location
Tampa
Attendance
60,574
Head coach
Joe Paterno
44
44
#
44
Bowl
TicketCity Bowl
Score
L 30–14
Date
January 2, 2012
Season
2011
Opponent
Houston Cougars
Stadium
Cotton Bowl
Location
Dallas
Attendance
46,817
Head coach
Tom Bradley
45
45
#
45
Bowl
Pinstripe Bowl
Score
W 31–30 OT
Date
December 27, 2014
Season
2014
Opponent
Boston College Eagles
Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Location
Bronx
Attendance
49,012
Head coach
James Franklin
46
46
#
46
Bowl
TaxSlayer Bowl
Score
L 24–17
Date
January 2, 2016
Season
2015
Opponent
Georgia Bulldogs
Stadium
EverBank Field
Location
Jacksonville
Attendance
58,212
Head coach
James Franklin
47
47
#
47
Bowl
Rose Bowl
Score
L 49–52
Date
January 2, 2017
Season
2016
Opponent
USC Trojans
Stadium
Rose Bowl
Location
Pasadena
Attendance
95,128
Head coach
James Franklin
48
48
#
48
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 35–28
Date
December 30, 2017
Season
2017
Opponent
Washington Huskies
Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium
Location
Glendale
Attendance
61,842
Head coach
James Franklin
49
49
#
49
Bowl
Citrus Bowl
Score
L 24–27
Date
January 1, 2019
Season
2018
Opponent
Kentucky Wildcats
Stadium
Camping World Stadium
Location
Orlando
Attendance
59,167
Head coach
James Franklin
50
50
#
50
Bowl
Cotton Bowl Classic
Score
W 53–39
Date
December 28, 2019
Season
2019
Opponent
Memphis Tigers
Stadium
AT&T Stadium
Location
Arlington
Attendance
54,828
Head coach
James Franklin
51
51
#
51
Bowl
Outback Bowl
Score
L 10–24
Date
January 1, 2022
Season
2021
Opponent
Arkansas Razorbacks
Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Location
Tampa
Attendance
46,577
Head coach
James Franklin
52
52
#
52
Bowl
Rose Bowl
Score
W 35–21
Date
January 2, 2023
Season
2022
Opponent
Utah Utes
Stadium
Rose Bowl
Location
Pasadena
Attendance
94,873
Head coach
James Franklin
53
53
#
53
Bowl
Peach Bowl
Score
L 25–38
Date
December 30, 2023
Season
2023
Opponent
Ole Miss Rebels
Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location
Atlanta
Attendance
71,230
Head coach
James Franklin
54
54
#
54
Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Score
W 31–14
Date
December 31, 2024
Season
2024
Opponent
Boise State Broncos
Stadium
State Farm Stadium
Location
Glendale
Attendance
63,854
Head coach
James Franklin
55
55
#
55
Bowl
Orange Bowl
Score
L 24–27
Date
January 9, 2025
Season
2024
Opponent
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium
Location
Miami Gardens
Attendance
66,881
Head coach
James Franklin
#
Bowl
Score
Date
Season
Opponent
Stadium
Location
Attendance
Head coach
1
Rose Bowl
L 14–3
January 1, 1923
1922
USC Trojans
Rose Bowl
Pasadena
43,000
Hugo Bezdek
2
Cotton Bowl Classic
T 13–13
January 1, 1948
1947
SMU Mustangs
Cotton Bowl
Dallas
47,000
Bob Higgins
3
Liberty Bowl
W 7–0
December 19, 1959
1959
Alabama Crimson Tide
Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
Philadelphia
36,211
Rip Engle
4
Liberty Bowl
W 41–12
December 20, 1960
1960
Oregon Ducks
Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
Philadelphia
16,624
Rip Engle
5
Gator Bowl
W 30–15
December 30, 1961
1961
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
Gator Bowl Stadium
Jacksonville
50,202
Rip Engle
6
Gator Bowl
L 17–7
December 29, 1962
1962
Florida Gators
Gator Bowl Stadium
Jacksonville
50,026
Rip Engle
7
Gator Bowl
T 17–17
December 30, 1967
1967
Florida State Seminoles
Gator Bowl Stadium
Jacksonville
68,019
Joe Paterno
8
Orange Bowl
W 15–14
January 1, 1969
1968
Kansas Jayhawks
Orange Bowl
Miami
77,719
Joe Paterno
9
Orange Bowl
W 10–3
January 1, 1970
1969
Missouri Tigers
Orange Bowl
Miami
77,282
Joe Paterno
10
Cotton Bowl Classic
W 30–6
January 1, 1972
1971
Texas Longhorns
Cotton Bowl
Dallas
70,000
Joe Paterno
11
Sugar Bowl
L 14–0
December 31, 1972
1972
Oklahoma Sooners
Tulane Stadium
New Orleans
80,123
Joe Paterno
12
Orange Bowl
W 16–9
January 1, 1974
1973
LSU Tigers
Orange Bowl
Miami
60,477
Joe Paterno
13
Cotton Bowl Classic
W 41–20
January 1, 1975
1974
Baylor Bears
Cotton Bowl
Dallas
68,500
Joe Paterno
14
Sugar Bowl
L 13–6
December 31, 1975
1975
Alabama Crimson Tide
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans
75,212
Joe Paterno
15
Gator Bowl
L 20–9
December 27, 1976
1976
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Gator Bowl Stadium
Jacksonville
67,827
Joe Paterno
16
Fiesta Bowl
W 42–30
December 25, 1977
1977
Arizona State Sun Devils
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
57,727
Joe Paterno
17
Sugar Bowl
L 14–7
January 1, 1979
1978
Alabama Crimson Tide
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans
76,824
Joe Paterno
18
Liberty Bowl
W 9–6
December 22, 1979
1979
Tulane Green Wave
Liberty Bowl
Memphis
50,021
Joe Paterno
19
Fiesta Bowl
W 31–19
December 26, 1980
1980
Ohio State Buckeyes
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
66,738
Joe Paterno
20
Fiesta Bowl
W 26–10
January 1, 1982
1981
USC Trojans
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
71,053
Joe Paterno
21
Sugar Bowl
W 27–23
January 1, 1983
1982
Georgia Bulldogs
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans
78,127
Joe Paterno
22
Aloha Bowl
W 13–10
December 26, 1983
1983
Washington Huskies
Aloha Stadium
Honolulu
37,212
Joe Paterno
23
Orange Bowl
L 25–10
January 1, 1986
1985
Oklahoma Sooners
Orange Bowl
Miami
74,178
Joe Paterno
24
Fiesta Bowl
W 14–10
January 2, 1987
1986
Miami Hurricanes
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
73,098
Joe Paterno
25
Florida Citrus Bowl
L 35–10
January 1, 1988
1987
Clemson Tigers
Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando
53,152
Joe Paterno
26
Holiday Bowl
W 50–39
December 30, 1989
1989
BYU Cougars
Jack Murphy Stadium
San Diego
61,113
Joe Paterno
27
Blockbuster Bowl
L 24–17
December 28, 1990
1990
Florida State Seminoles
Joe Robbie Stadium
Miami Gardens
74,021
Joe Paterno
28
Fiesta Bowl
W 42–17
January 1, 1992
1991
Tennessee Volunteers
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
71,133
Joe Paterno
29
Blockbuster Bowl
L 24–3
January 1, 1993
1992
Stanford Cardinal
Joe Robbie Stadium
Miami Gardens
45,554
Joe Paterno
30
Florida Citrus Bowl
W 31–13
January 1, 1994
1993
Tennessee Volunteers
Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando
72,456
Joe Paterno
31
Rose Bowl
W 38–20
January 2, 1995
1994
Oregon Ducks
Rose Bowl
Pasadena
102,247
Joe Paterno
32
Outback Bowl
W 43–14
January 1, 1996
1995
Auburn Tigers
Tampa Stadium
Tampa
65,313
Joe Paterno
33
Fiesta Bowl
W 38–15
January 1, 1997
1996
Texas Longhorns
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe
65,106
Joe Paterno
34
Florida Citrus Bowl
L 21–6
January 1, 1998
1997
Florida Gators
Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando
72,940
Joe Paterno
35
Outback Bowl
W 26–14
January 1, 1999
1998
Kentucky Wildcats
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa
66,005
Joe Paterno
36
Alamo Bowl
W 24–0
December 28, 1999
1999
Texas A&M Aggies
Alamodome
San Antonio
65,380
Joe Paterno
37
Capital One Bowl
L 13–9
January 1, 2003
2002
Auburn Tigers
Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando
66,334
Joe Paterno
38
Orange Bowl
W 26–23 3OT
January 3, 2006
2005
Florida State Seminoles
Dolphins Stadium
Miami Gardens
77,912
Joe Paterno
39
Outback Bowl
W 20–10
January 1, 2007
2006
Tennessee Volunteers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa
65,601
Joe Paterno
40
Alamo Bowl
W 24–17
December 28, 2007
2007
Texas A&M Aggies
Alamodome
San Antonio
66,166
Joe Paterno
41
Rose Bowl
L 38–24
January 1, 2009
2008
USC Trojans
Rose Bowl
Pasadena
93,293
Joe Paterno
42
Capital One Bowl
W 19–17
January 1, 2010
2009
LSU Tigers
Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando
63,025
Joe Paterno
43
Outback Bowl
L 37–24
January 1, 2011
2010
Florida Gators
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa
60,574
Joe Paterno
44
TicketCity Bowl
L 30–14
January 2, 2012
2011
Houston Cougars
Cotton Bowl
Dallas
46,817
Tom Bradley
45
Pinstripe Bowl
W 31–30 OT
December 27, 2014
2014
Boston College Eagles
Yankee Stadium
Bronx
49,012
James Franklin
46
TaxSlayer Bowl
L 24–17
January 2, 2016
2015
Georgia Bulldogs
EverBank Field
Jacksonville
58,212
James Franklin
47
Rose Bowl
L 49–52
January 2, 2017
2016
USC Trojans
Rose Bowl
Pasadena
95,128
James Franklin
48
Fiesta Bowl
W 35–28
December 30, 2017
2017
Washington Huskies
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale
61,842
James Franklin
49
Citrus Bowl
L 24–27
January 1, 2019
2018
Kentucky Wildcats
Camping World Stadium
Orlando
59,167
James Franklin

References

  1. Statistics correct as of 2022–23 NCAA football bowl games.
  2. Results are sortable first by whether the result was a Penn State win, loss or tie and then second by the margin of vict
  3. Links to the season article for the Penn State team that competed in the bowl for that year.
  4. Links to the season article for the opponent that Penn State competed against in the bowl for that year when available o
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