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Penn State football: A look at the Lions' Super Bowl history by the numbers

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel02/11/24GregPickel
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A general overall view of the Super Bowl 58 roman numerals logo on the Allegiant Stadium facade. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Happy Super Bowl Sunday, Penn State fans! A new NFL champion will be crowned tonight at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. The AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs will battle the NFC-winning San Francisco 49ers at 6:30 p.m. ET. CBS will televise the contest. And, Penn State will be represented in the contest. To commemorate the final game of the 2023 football season, we’re taking a closer look at the Nittany Lions’ history in the pro title game and also this year’s contest by the numbers.

1: Once the game is underway, ‘Linebacker U’ member and Penn State alum Terry Killens will become the first person to ever play in and officiate a Super Bowl. He will be in the umpire position for referee Bill Vinovich’s crew.

2.5: The number of points San Francisco is favored by. The betting points total over/under is 47.5.

3: Penn State players in this year’s Super Bowl. Offensive tackle Donovan Smith starts for the Chiefs. For the 49ers, Ji’Ayir Brown starts at safety and Kevin Givens is a backup defensive tackle.

46: The number of Super Bowls won by former Nittany Lions. The group has combined for 65 championship rings entering tonight’s contest.

53: Tonight is Super Bowl 58. Penn State has had at least one player in 53 of the Super Bowls played so far and including tonight.

81: The number of points former Nittany Lions have scored in the Super Bowl, according to The Fifth Quarter. It puts Penn State behind only Miami (84) and Florida (82) on the all-time list.

Which former Penn State players have suited up in the Super Bowl from the James Franklin era?

Here’s the list, courtesy of Penn State athletics. An * denotes a winner of the Super Bowl.

Garrett Sickels, Los Angeles: Super Bowl LII

Jordan Lucas, Kansas City*; Robbie Gould, Anthony Zettel, Kevin Givens, San Francisco: Super Bowl LIV

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay*: Super Bowl LB

Grant Haley, Nick Scott, Los Angeles*: Super Bowl LVI

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia: Super Bowl LVII

Ji’Ayir Brown, Kevin Givens, San Francisco; Donovan Smith, Kansas City: Super Bowl LVII

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