[M. g. Missanelli]The Perfect Season : How Penn State Came to Stop a Hurricane and Win a National Football Championship(pdf){Zzzzz}

The 1987 NCAA championship 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. On January 2, 1987, Penn State pulled off one of the most surprising upsets in college football by handing the University of Miami team its only loss of the season. In The Perfect Season, with help from the Penn State players involved, M. G. Missanelli retells the story not just of this championship game but also of Penn State’s entire season.

Beginning with its Orange Bowl loss in 1985 (Penn State’s only loss that year), Missanelli recounts the glorious 1986 season through the eyes of those Penn State athletes. The book also focuses on the media’s buildup of the national championship, explaining why the University of Miami team was considered the villain in this battle. Numerous anecdotes stories are included, such as the incident where the University of Miami team arrived at the Fiesta Bowl wearing combat fatigues in an attempt to wage psychological war on its opponents. But such tactics appeared to have little effect the Penn State Nittany Lions, whose tenacity resulted in victory in the final minutes of the game.

Drawing on interviews as well as his own recollections, the author relates the vivid story of one of the most triumphant seasons in the history of Penn State football. Anyone interested in college football, the Nittany Lions, or Joe Paterno’s legacy will find this book impossible to put down.

Publisher: Penn State University Press (July 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0271032839
ISBN-13: 978-0271032832

Editorial Reviews
Review
Jan. 2, 1987. It is at once the most profound and significant day of the nearly 15,000 Joe Paterno has spent as Penn State's football coach. On that night, in the spotlit Arizona desert, Paterno's Nittany Lions defeated Miami in a national championship matchup whose contrasts were as vivid as the personalities involved. In The Perfect Season, Mike Missanelli carefully dissects and re-creates this memorable game, one that would serve as a perfect little morality play, a showcase for all that was right and wrong with college football. --Frank Fitzpatrick, author of The Lion in Autumn

It's been 20 years since that night in the Arizona desert when Penn State and Miami clashed in a battle of football and philosophy in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the last national championship for Penn State, won in dramatic fashion with a goal-line interception in the final seconds to preserve a 14-10 win. It was, in the eyes of many, the zenith of the program. And many of the players, now middle-aged fathers, remain icons in the history of the sport at Penn State. Mike Missanelli does a masterful job of recreating the game, reconnecting with the key players for both teams, and rekindles fond memories of a night when no star in the college football galaxy shined brighter than Penn State's. --Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times

Missanelli brings to life the 1986 national football championship season, with a great account of the Nittany Lion victory over the combat fatigue-clad Miami Hurricanes. The Foreword by D. J. Dozier is a delight, as are various vignettes of participants such as Jerry Sandusky, Shane Conlan, Bob White, and the unfortunate-in-life John Bruno. --Ronald A. Smith, author of Big-Time Football at Harvard, 1905

It's been 20 years since that night in the Arizona desert when Penn State and Miami clashed in a battle of football and philosophy in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the last national championship for Penn State, won in dramatic fashion with a goal-line interception in the final seconds to preserve a 14-10 win. It was, in the eyes of many, the zenith of the program. And many of the players, now middle-aged fathers, remain icons in the history of the sport at Penn State. Mike Missanelli does a masterful job of recreating the game, reconnecting with the key players for both teams, and rekindles fond memories of a night when no star in the college football galaxy shined brighter than Penn State's. --Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times

Missanelli brings to life the 1986 national football championship season, with a great account of the Nittany Lion victory over the combat fatigue-clad Miami Hurricanes. The Foreword by D. J. Dozier is a delight, as are various vignettes of participants such as Jerry Sandusky, Shane Conlan, Bob White, and the unfortunate-in-life John Bruno. --Ronald A. Smith, author of Big-Time Football at Harvard, 1905

It's been 20 years since that night in the Arizona desert when Penn State and Miami clashed in a battle of football and philosophy in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the last national championship for Penn State, won in dramatic fashion with a goal-line interception in the final seconds to preserve a 14-10 win. It was, in the eyes of many, the zenith of the program. And many of the players, now middle-aged fathers, remain icons in the history of the sport at Penn State. Mike Missanelli does a masterful job of recreating the game, reconnecting with the key players for both teams, and rekindles fond memories of a night when no star in the college football galaxy shined brighter than Penn State's. --Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times

Missanelli brings to life the 1986 national football championship season, with a great account of the Nittany Lion victory over the combat fatigue-clad Miami Hurricanes. The Foreword by D. J. Dozier is a delight, as are various vignettes of participants such as Jerry Sandusky, Shane Conlan, Bob White, and the unfortunate-in-life John Bruno. --Ronald A. Smith, author of Big-Time Football at Harvard, 1905
From the Publisher
"It's been 20 years since that night in the Arizona desert when Penn State and Miami clashed in a battle of football and philosophy in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the last national championship for Penn State, won in dramatic fashion with a goal-line interception in the final seconds to preserve a 14-10 win. It was, in the eyes of many, the zenith of the program. And many of the players, now middle-aged fathers, remain icons in the history of the sport at Penn State. Mike Missanelli does a masterful job of recreating the game, reconnecting with the key players for both teams and rekindles fond memories of a night when no star in the college football galaxy shined brighter than Penn State's." --Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times

"Missanelli brings to life the 1986 national football championship season, with a great account of the Nittany Lion victory over the combat fatigue-clad Miami Hurricans. The Foreword by D. J. Dozier is a delight as are various vignettes of the participants such as Jerry Sandusky, Shane Conlan, Bob White, and the unfortunate-in-life John Bruno."--Ronald A. Smith, author of Big-Time Football at Harvard 1905

" Jan. 2, 1987. It is at once the most profound and significant day of the nearly 15,000 Joe Paterno has spent as Penn State's football coach. On that night, in the spotlit Arizona desert, Paterno's Nittany Lions defeated Miami in a national championship matchup whose contrasts were as vivid as the personalities involved. In The Perfect Season, Mike Missanelli carefully dissects and recreates this memorable game, one that would serve as a perfect little morality play, a showcase for all that was right and wrong with college football." -Frank Fitzpatrick, author of The Lion in Autumn --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Man, what a book!!!!
By Mark J. Worthing on March 24, 2008
Man what a book!!!! Fortunately for me, I was a student at PSU when this game was played. Some of the players were in my classes and some of them I knew on a first name basis.

This book took me back to a time when life was simpler and simple satisfactions, like football, at the time meant little, but over time they mean a lot more.

The author takes you into the game. Not just what you saw on TV and how the announcers made it look, but really takes you into the pre-game, how the Fiesta Bowl people did what they did to get this game played on Jan 2.

He takes you on the field with each of the players 20 years later as they relive the greatest college game that they ever played. Even the insights from the Miami players makes this book totally complete.

I couldn't put it down and am glad I bought it. I gave it to my Brother and he read it in about 4 days.

Great book, great story


Perfectly written: The Perfect Season
By Brad Stoltz on December 26, 2007
Mike Misannelli did a fantastic job on this well researched, well written time capsule. It helped me recall my fondest memories of a magical season.
I strongly recommend reading the book, then watching the D.V.D. of the game.