The 1986 college football season was an exciting one for Penn State fans. The Nittany Lions had a solid season, finishing with a 9-3 record and earning a spot in a prestigious bowl game. But which bowl game did Penn State go to in the 1986 season? Let's take a closer look at the team's performance that year and the circumstances surrounding their bowl game appearance.

First, let's review the 1986 season for Penn State. The team got off to a strong start, winning their first four games of the season. They then suffered a setback with a loss to Alabama, but rebounded with wins over Boston College and Syracuse. The Nittany Lions then suffered back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Miami, but closed out the season with three straight wins over Notre Dame, Maryland, and Pitt.

Despite the three losses, Penn State's strong overall record earned them an invitation to a top-tier bowl game. That game turned out to be the Fiesta Bowl, one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football.

The Fiesta Bowl was played on January 1, 1987, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Penn State's opponent was the University of Miami, a team that had defeated the Nittany Lions earlier in the season. The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams playing tough defense and struggling to move the ball on offense.

In the end, it was Miami that emerged victorious, winning by a score of 14-10. Penn State's defense played well, holding Miami to just 239 yards of total offense. But the Nittany Lions struggled to move the ball themselves, gaining just 185 yards on offense.

Despite the loss, Penn State's appearance in the Fiesta Bowl was a significant achievement. The Nittany Lions had earned a spot in one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football, and had played a tough game against a talented opponent. The team's performance in the Fiesta Bowl helped solidify Penn State's reputation as a top-tier football program, and set the stage for future success in the years to come.

So what lessons can we learn from Penn State's 1986 season and their appearance in the Fiesta Bowl? First and foremost, it's clear that the team was committed to excellence both on and off the field. They worked hard throughout the season to earn a spot in a top-tier bowl game, and they played tough, disciplined football against a talented opponent.

Secondly, Penn State's appearance in the Fiesta Bowl highlights the importance of bowl games in college football. Bowl games give teams the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage, and can help boost a program's reputation and recruiting efforts. For Penn State, their appearance in the Fiesta Bowl helped solidify their position as one of the top football programs in the country.

In conclusion, Penn State's appearance in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl was a significant achievement for the team and a testament to their commitment to excellence both on and off the field. While they ultimately fell short against a talented Miami team, their performance in the Fiesta Bowl helped cement Penn State's reputation as a top-tier football program and set the stage for future success.