Former Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge will be honored in the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame as one of ten members in its second class. The former players will be inducted at the 2019 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

Blackledge led the Nittany Lions to their first national title in 1982 with a 27-23 victory over No. 1 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The game was sealed when Blackledge darted a 47-yard touchdown pass to Gregg Garrity in the fourth quarter, earning him the honor of Most Outstanding Player.

His play throughout the 1982 season earned him the Davey O’Brien Award for the country’s top quarterback after amassing 2,218 yards through the air and 22 touchdowns in his junior season.

Drafted seventh overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1983 NFL Draft, Blackledge played seven seasons with the Chiefs and Steelers before moving to the broadcast booth. He returned to New Orleans to call six Sugar Bowl games for ABC and ESPN.

About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email (mattdisanto86@gmail.com) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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