Reign #196 of 335 · Penn State’s 3rd reign
Penn State, 1986–1987
322Days held
6Defenses
#81Longest of 335
#76Most defended of 335
How it started
October 25, 1986
Took the belt from Alabama 23–3 on the road on October 25, 1986.
Penn State was No. 2 in the AP poll going into that game, Alabama was No. 8. While holding the belt: ranked in 8 of 8 poll weeks, best No. 2. The belt vs. the polls →
Head coach: Joe Paterno · 2 reigns started, 363 days with the belt.
Defenses
The belt on the line, 6 times
November 1, 1986 · at West Virginia 19–0DefendedNovember 8, 1986 · vs. Maryland 17–15DefendedNovember 15, 1986 · at Notre Dame 24–19DefendedNovember 22, 1986 · vs. Pittsburgh 34–14DefendedJanuary 2, 1987 · vs. Miami 14–10DefendedSeptember 5, 1987 · vs. Bowling Green 45–19Defended
How it ended