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Note: Penn State is 7-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Here's a brief recap:
Dec. 25, 1977 -- Penn State 42, Arizona State 30
The Nittany Lions overpowered Arizona State and won their first trip to Tempe. Steve Geise (111) and Bob Torrey (107) both surpassed the 100-yard mark as the Lions rushed for 268 yards to ASU's 90. Matt Millen was the game's defensive MVP with 18 tackles. PSU's special teams also starred as Joe Lally blocked a punt and returned it 21 yards for a TD and Jimmy Cefalo broke a 67-yard punt return. The Lions capped an 11-1 season. Arizona State was coached by Windber native Frank Kush.
Dec. 26, 1980 -- Penn State 31, Ohio State 19
The Lions overcame a slow start and trailed 19-10 at halftime before pitching a second-half shutout. Once again, the Lions' ground game was the difference as PSU outrushed the Buckeyes 351-110. The 351 rushing yards would stand as a PSU bowl record until the 2019 Cotton vs. Baylor. The Lions finished 10-2. Curt Warner rushed for 155 yards to win offensive MVP honors. Frank Case won the defensive award.
Jan. 1, 1982 -- Penn State 26, USC 10
The Nits' defense held Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen to 85 yards on 30 carries. Penn State outrushed the Trojans 218-60. Curt Warner rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns and was the offensive MVP for the second straight year. The Lions capped an 11-2 season (losses to Alabama and at Miami) and set the stage for their first national title a year later.
Jan. 2, 1987 -- Penn State 14, Miami 10
Stands as greatest win in PSU history as Joe Paterno's team stunned the star-studded Hurricanes as a seven-point underdog to claim their second national title in five seasons and finish with a perfect 12-0 record. Penn State's defense intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde five times, including Pete Giftopoulos' game-clincher at the PSU 1-yard line on fourth down with nine seconds left. Shane Conlan made two interceptions. The Lions won the game despite converting just eight first downs. More than 70 million people watched the game, breaking the TV record for viewership. The game was moved from Jan. 1 to Friday, Jan. 2 in order to create a prime-time stand-alone bowl for the national championship. Miami was coached by future Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson.
Jan. 1, 1992 -- Penn State 42, Tennessee 17
In one of the more remarkable in-game turnarounds, the Lions bounced back from a sluggish first half in which they were outgained by an incredible 324-59. And yet, somehow the Volunteers only led 10-7. State unleashed an avalanche in the second half and, helped by four turnovers, outscored UT 35-7 to win going away. Tony Sacca threw four touchdown passes, punter Doug Helkowski averaged 47.9 yards on nine punts, Keith Goganious made 15 tackles, and Reggie Givens was the defensive MVP. The Lions finished 11-2 and ranked No. 3.
Jan. 1, 1997 -- Penn State 38, Texas 15
PSU, and Joe Paterno, improved to 6-0 in the Fiesta Bowl as, once again, the Nittany Lions turned in a dominant second half. The Lions trailed 12-7 at halftime but outscored the Longhorns 31-3 after intermission. Big plays highlighted the PSU comeback as Chafie Fields took a double reverse 84 yards and Kenny Watson returned a kickoff 81 yards. The Lions outrushed Texas 330-73. The Lions finished 11-2 and ranked No. 7.
Dec. 30, 2017 -- Penn State 35, Washington 28
Penn State jumped out to a 14-0 lead and made it stand up. Trace McSorley passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns, and Saquon Barkley rushed for 137 and two touchdowns, including a 92-yarder. McSorley was 12-for-12 on third down for 194 yards and was the offensive MVP. Marcus Allen won defensive honors. PSU racked up 545 yards of total offense and improved to 7-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. The Lions finished 11-2 and ranked No. 8.
-- Compiled by Neil Rudel