Despite posting its second consecutive undefeated, untied season, the Nittany Lions did not have a shot at the national championship.
President Richard Nixon said that he would consider the winner of the December 6 matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks, then ranked at the top of the polls, and the real voters do not seem to have differed.
"[1] Then Pennsylvania Governor Raymond P. Shafer got the White House's attention with Penn State's two-season undefeated streak.
Paterno has stated many times that he responded with, "You can tell the president to take that trophy and shove it.
[3]: 120 Penn State was selected co-national champion by FACT and Sagarin, both NCAA-designated major selectors.