Penn State coach James Franklin.

There's perhaps no better determining factor of the "Beast of the East" football program than the Lambert Trophy, which annually honors the best college football program in the East. And now Penn State football has received the prestigious award for an unprecedented 31st time in the award's 82-year history.

This is the ninth time the Nittany Lions have had a steak of at least two consecutive Lambert Trophy victories. Penn State was also honored with the award in 2017. This marks the 31st time Penn State has received the honor since its inception in 1936.

The team that has been honored with the second most Lambert Trophies is Army with seven. Other teams of note include Pitt with six (last in 1980), Miami with four (last in 2003), West Virginia with four (last in 2011) and Virginia Tech with two (last in 1999).

Under Joe Paterno Penn State won the annual honor 24 times, including three in the 1960s, seven in the 1970s, five in the 1980s, six in the 1990s and three in the 2000s.

The Lambert Trophy will be presented to Penn State at the 82st Eastern College Football Awards Banquet later in February.