Few bowl games pack the history, tradition, and scenery that come with the Rose Bowl. Penn State has been fortunate to have been a part of a small handful of Rose Bowl Games over the course of the history of the traditional New YearsDay bowl game in Pasadena, California, and the Nittany Lions will make one more appearance in the game this season. Penn State is set to face Pac-12 champion Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 2, 2023, and the Nittany Lions are looking for their second Rose Bow victory in program history.
Because the Rose Bowl has long been a matchup between the Big Ten and Pac-12, Penn State had just one appearance in the Rose Bowl prior to the 1994 season, its second season as a member of the Big Ten. Including the 2023 Rose Bowl, Penn State will have played in five Rose Bowls, with the 2023 game being the second time the Nittany Lions have played in Pasadena under head coach James Franklin.
Here is a brief look at the history of Penn State and the Rose Bowl, which has not been particularly kind to the Nittany Lions over the years.
Note: Rankings referenced are AP Top 25 rankings where applicable.