The 1983 Sugar Bowl was the 49th edition to the annual game. It featured the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, and the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Penn State won 27-23, to win the national championship, and finish number 1 in the polls.
In the first quarter, Penn State running back Curt Warner scored on a 2 yard touchdown run, for Penn State to take a 7-0 lead. He would finish the game with 117 yards rushing. Georgia would get on the board in the first quarter following a 27 yard field goal from Kevin Butler to make it 7-3.
In the second quarter, Nick Gancitano kicked a 38 yard field goal to put the Nittany Lions atop 10-3. Curt Warner added a 9 yard touchdown run, and Gancitano a 45 yard field goal for Penn State to take a commanding 20-3 lead. Before halftime, quarterback John Lastinger threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Herman Archie to cut the margin to 20-10.
In the third quarter, Herschel Walker scored on a 1 yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 20-17. Penn State responded in the fourth quarter with a 47 yard touchdown pass from Todd Blackledge to wide receiver Gregg Garrity to give Penn State a 27-17 lead. John Lastinger threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Clarence Kay to make the score 27-23 Penn State. Penn State would hold on to win 27-23.
