Q 01/05

Which conference did Penn State join in 1993 after a century as an independent?

A) Big East

B) Big Ten

C) Big 12

D) ACC

Answer · why

B) Big Ten

The athletics program accepted the invitation in June 1990; football competition began three years later.

Q 02/05

In which two seasons did Penn State win consensus national championships?

A) 1982 and 1986

B) 1994 and 2005

C) 1968 and 1969

D) 1973 and 1978

Answer · why

A) 1982 and 1986

Both came under Joe Paterno; the 1986 title was sealed with a Fiesta Bowl upset of Miami in which linebacker Shane Conlan was defensive MVP.

Q 03/05

Penn State's first recorded game, in 1881, was against which school?

A) Dickinson

B) Lafayette

C) Lehigh

D) Bucknell

Answer · why

D) Bucknell

Penn State won 9–0 in Lewisburg, nine goals to none in what was really American rugby. Bucknell denies the game ever happened.

Q 04/05

Who was Penn State's first head football coach, starting in 1892?

A) George W. Hoskins

B) Bob Higgins

C) Hugo Bezdek

D) Pop Golden

Answer · why

A) George W. Hoskins

His 17–4–4 record and .760 winning percentage still rank highest in program history; the team had played its first five seasons with no head coach at ...

Q 05/05

What were Penn State's original school colors before blue and white?

A) Green and gold

B) Pink and black

C) Orange and black

D) Red and gray

Answer · why

B) Pink and black

A student referendum changed them in 1890. Legend says the originals faded in the sun to navy and near-white, though evidence for that is thin.