National Football Foundation

Penn State defeated SEC Champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, marking the Nittany Lions’ first MacArthur Bowl. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Joe Paterno, Penn State finished 11-1 after a 27-23 victory against the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. The Nittany Lions finished undefeated in the prior three seasons, but finally claimed their first championship in 1982. The 1982 Penn State team featured Hall of Fame running back Curt Warner, and 1984 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and linebacker Carmen Masciantonio.

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."