From an AP sports writer and author, a history of Pennsylvania State University’s Nittany Lions, with personal stories from coaches and players. In Tales from Penn State Football, Ken Rappoport puts you on the fifty-yard line and sometimes gets you a seat on the bench or a stall in the locker room. From the first team in the 1880s to the celebrated Joe Paterno teams of the 20th century, Penn State’s most entertaining—and legendary—football stories are chronicled here. And there is plenty to tell, considering the history of the Penn State football program. Penn State football started in 1881. These early pioneers could hardly envision the future popularity of the game, where crowds of more than 100,000 would fill Beaver Stadium to see Paterno’s nationally ranked powers play in the second-largest football stadium in America. In between, there have been plenty of colorful stories and characters at Penn State to fill a book. There was a coach who held up a Rose Bowl game over a violent argument and another who credited a mule for his success. Also, a player who impersonated the legendary Jim Thorpe and another nicknamed “Riverboat Richie” for his gambling instincts on the football field. For many of the stories in this book, Rappoport went right to the source. In an earlier interview at the Nittany Lion Inn, Joe Paterno talked about his famous “Grand Experiment.” At about the same time, Rip Engle discussed his most treasured moments at Penn State. Football aficionados will relish every tale. The perfect gift for college football buffs and Penn State fans.

Perfect for Penn State fans who think they already know everything With traditions, records, and Nittany Lions lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Penn State fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. From trivia on legendary players—such as John Cappelletti, Kerry Collins, Larry Johnson, LaVar Arrington, and Paul Posluszny—to knowing the best places to catch a game, 100 Things Penn State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of the Nittany Lions.

Fans will finally get the chance to walk onto the field with their favorite Nittany Lions in Game of My Life Penn State Nittany Lions. In this updated edition, Penn State alum Jordan Hyman asks over twenty of the school’s greatest football legends to share their favorite memories and most poignant moments while wearing the white and blue. This isn't a book that dwells solely on happy memories of great games of years past. When author Jordan Hyman, a Penn State graduate, went looking for 20 game recollections from some of Penn State's football legends, he discovered in his interviews feelings of joy, respect, and pride, but also locked-away emotions dealing with anger, racism, and regret. Chapters include: Rosey Grier Joe Paterno Lydell Mitchell John Cappelletti Todd Blackledge Gregg Garrity Shane Conlan And more! Wally Triplett raves about the famous 1948 Cotton Bowl, Penn State versus Doak Walker-led Southern Methodist, but he'll also relay his experiences as a black football player in State College in the 1940s. Rosie Grier will recall upsetting Illinois in 1954, but he'll also reminisce about his roots on a Georgia farm and how he came to arrive in University Park in the first place. There are shining moments paired with wonderful anecdotes: Gregg Garrity cannot forget the catch that would help win the 1983 national title game for the Lions. A must-read for any Nittany Lions fan.

The Penn State Football Encyclopedia traces the legacy of Penn State football,

The 1982 Penn State national championship team was not only one of Joe Paterno’s best, it was one of the best teams college football has ever seen. In When the Lions Roared, Bill Contz, one of the squad's offensive tackles, details that special season and the experience of playing for a legendary coach. Featuring dozens of interviews with former players, this book provides anecdotes from the epic contests of that season while also proving statistically why this Nittany Lions team stands up against all of the talented teams that came before and after. Also featuring a foreword and reflections by Todd Blackledge, Penn State's 1982 starting quarterback, this is an essential read for Nittany Lions faithful.

Did you know that the Penn State Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten Conference in 1990? In 2018, the Nittany Lions were the top team in the Big Ten East Division. Learn more about this college team’s history, traditions, uniforms, team records, coaches, and legendary players in Penn State Nittany Lions, part of the Inside College Football series.

"Fascinating. . . . One of the best books ever written on the rise and fall of a great college football coach." —Allen Barra, San Francisco Chronicle The Lion in Autumn takes readers inside Penn State’s storied football program as legendary coach Joe Paterno fights to turn his struggling team into a winner once again. In more than a half century at Penn State, Paterno has won more bowl games (21) than any other coach and more games (354) than all but one, en route to two national championships and five perfect seasons. But in the new millennium hard times arrived in Happy Valley. His Nittany Lions had losing seasons in four of five years, dropping sixteen of twenty-three games in 2003 and 2004. There were boos at Beaver Stadium and increasing calls for the aging Paterno to step down. Award-winning sportswriter Frank Fitzpatrick followed JoePa through the 2004 season as the beloved coach struggled to save himself and his storied program. Fitzpatrick trailed Paterno from fund-raisers to the spring practices to the sidelines, detailing how the coach endured another losing season while building a team that would win the Orange Bowl and compete for the national championship in 2005. Interweaving stories from past seasons into the narrative, Fitzpatrick fleshes out the legend of Paterno.

The 1987 NCAA championship football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the University of Miami Hurricanes is often considered the most memorable championship game in all of college football history. Both teams were undefeated going into the game, but the Hurricanes were heavily favored, as they had demolished each of their opponents during the regular season. Penn State pulled off of the most surprising upsets on January 2, 1987, by handing the University of Miami team its only loss of the season. The Perfect Season, with help from the Penn State players involved, Missanelli retells the story not just of this championship game but also of Penn States entire season. Beginning with its Orange Bowl loss in 1985, Missanelli recounts the glorious 1986 season through the eyes of those Penn State athletes. The book also focuses on the medias buildup of the national championship, explaining why the University of Miami team was considered the villain in this battle.