SI Vault: Penn State Football

The Nittany Lions are back in the national title hunt and SI has published a special issue honoring the school’s 25 years as a member of the Big Ten, so we opened the Vault to find the best photos of legendary Penn State coaches, players and SI covers from years past.

SI Vault: Penn State Football

Simon Bruty

The 2012 "White Out" game vs. Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.

Manny Millan

Penn State coach Joe Paterno is carried off the field by players after winning the Sugar Bowl against Georgia at the Louisiana Superdome on Jan. 1, 1983.

Tony Tomsic

Chuck Fusina (34) in action vs Maryland on Nov. 4, 1978.

Simon Bruty

Adrian Amos (4) and Stephon Morris (12) celebrate after making an interception against Ohio State in 2012.

John Iacono

The January 10, 1983 Sports Illustrated cover following Penn State's Sugar Bowl win that secured a national championship, featuring Gregg Garrity (19) with cheerleaders in the end zone after scoring the game-winning touchdown against Georgia.

John Biever

Linebacker Paul Posluszny (31) in action against Michigan State on Nov. 19, 2005.

Mark Kauffman

Lenny Moore (42) runs the ball against West Virginia in an Oct. 17, 1954 game at New Beaver Field.

John Iacono

SI's November 11, 1985 cover: Florida's Ray McDonald and Penn State's D.J. Dozier.

Lane Stewart

Running back Franco Harris (34) breaks tackles against Syracuse at Archbold Stadium on Oct. 16, 1971.

Robert Beck

QB Daryll Clark (17) takes on USC linebacker Brian Cushing (10) in the 95th Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009.

Ronald C. Modra

Sports Illustrated's December 29, 1986 cover, recognizing Joe Paterno as Sportsman of the Year.

Peter Read Miller

Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington (11) with a cardboard cutout of coach Joe Paterno in 1999.

Damian Strohmeyer

Running back Larry Johnson (5) runs against Wisconsin on Oct. 5, 2002.

Al Tielemans

SI's October 24, 1994 cover: Freddie Scott (31) runs past Michigan's Steve Morrison (36).

Lane Stewart

Lydell Mitchell (22) runs the ball in a 1971 game against Syracuse at Archbold Stadium.

Al Tielemans

SI's August 25, 1997 cover: WR Joe Jurevicius (83).

Peter Read Miller

Linebacker LaVar Arrington during a 1999 SI photo shoot.

Lane Stewart

Running back Franco Harris (34) walks off the field with coach Joe Paterno after a 1971 game vs. Syracuse.

David Bergman

SI's November 28, 2005 cover: Joe Paterno leads the team onto field before a game against Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.

Al Tielemans

Penn State players walk to field before game vs. Nebraska at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 12, 2011.

Peter Read Miller

SI's August 17, 2009 cover: QB Daryll Clark (17) and center Stefen Wisniewski (61).

Al Tielemans

Coach Joe Paterno during a 2002 game vs. Northwestern.

Michael J. LeBrecht II

SI's July 30, 2012 cover in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Simon Bruty

SI's November 5, 2012 cover: Penn State fans during the "White Out" game against Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.

Al Tielemans

Penn State fans and the Nittany Lion mascot in the stands during a 2011 game against Nebraska.