In the midst of Penn State’s best season in years, the Nittany Lions will turn back the clock to their dominating teams in the late-1970’s by honoring Hall of Fame running back Keith Dorney on November 5.
As announced in May, Dorney, along with 12 other college football greats, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner on December 6 in New York City.
As part of an annual celebration, every Hall of Famer returns to his alma mater to receive an On-Campus Salute during the year of his induction. With official school dignitaries on hand, an NFF representative presents the inductee with his official framed Hall of Fame plaque. The institution receives an identical plaque for display within their respective Hall of Honor.
Dorney twice received First Team All-America honors in 1977 and 1978 on the Penn State offensive line. He led the Nittany Lions to four consecutive bowl appearances and a 38-10 during his tenure in Happy Valley.
Penn State defeated Wisconsin, 35-14, to take control of the Big Ten championship race and the conference's automatic BCS bid.
Keith Dorney
Pennsylvania State University
Offensive Tackle, 1975-78
An immovable force and staple on the Penn State offensive line, Keith Dorney proved his prowess on the athletic field and in the classroom.
A two-time First Team All-America selection, unanimous in 1978, Dorney saw action in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game his senior year. Named National Lineman of the Year by the Columbus Touchdown Club, he helped lead the Nittany Lions to a 38-10 record and four straight bowl appearances.
Dedicated to his studies, Dorney was named to the Penn State Dean’s List numerous times and was named to the Academic All-America First Team in 1978. Named to Penn State’s All-Century First Team, Dorney was selected 19th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1979 NFL Draft. In a nine-year NFL career, he made one Pro Bowl and earned the Ed Block Courage Award in 1987.
Following his playing days, Dorney has worked with children and young adults as a full-time special education teacher for True to Life Children’s Services and also coaches the defensive line at a local high school in Santa Rosa, California.
