1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

The 1971 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Air Force
Alberto Vitiello, a 5ft 7in junior college transfer, kicked a 22-yard field goal with four minutes to help Penn State escape with a 16–14 victory over Air Force.

NFL Draft
Four Nittany Lions were drafted in the 1972 NFL Draft.