Hall of Fame Inductee Search
Richie "Riverboat Richie" Lucas
Position: Quarterback
School: Penn State
High School: Glassport, PA (Glassport HS)
Years: 1957-1959
Inducted: 1986
Place of Birth: Glassport, PA
Date of Birth: 4/15/1938
Jersey Number: 33
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Member Biography:
Penn State's "Riverboat Richie" Lucas was a three-year starter
for Rip Engle's Nittany Lions. During his college career, he
directed the team to a 21-8-1 record, including a 7-0 victory
over Bear Bryant's Alabama squad in the first Liberty Bowl
game played in Philadelphia. He led his 1959 team in rushing
(325 yards), passed for 913 yards and five touchdowns,
completed 58 of 117 passes, punted 20 times for a 34.0 yard
average and returned five interceptions for 114 yards. Coach
Rip Engle said, "I'll never forget the Illinois game. Illinois had a
first down on the four, but four plays netted zero yards, with
Richie making all four tackles - on both sides of the field - from
his defensive halfback position." Earlier that year, in the
season opener against Don Faurot's Missouri team, the 6-1,
185-pound Lucas completed 10 of 11 passes and won the
game, 19-8, because he was so effective with his roll-out
passing game. In 1959, playing both quarterback and safety,
he was honored by numerous organizations. In addition, he
was named winner of the Maxwell Trophy and finished second
to Billy Cannon of LSU in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
He went on to play pro football before returning to Penn State
as assistant athletic director.
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