The Final Act: Penn State, Alabama, And Joe Paterno
A few weeks ago, the folks over at the SB Nation site covering all things Penn State, Black Shoe Diaries, asked me to help out with a bit of background on a historical piece they were working on looking at the rivalry between the Crimson Tide and the Nittany Lions. Well, that story is posted today and I can't urge you enough to head over there and give it a read.
9 months ago
kleph
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Great article...
But the reference to Bama and Penn State playing for the 1979 national championship when they were ranked #1 and #2 in the Sugar Bowl is incorrect.
The great goal line stand against the Nitanny Lions actually won Bama the 1978 championship.
Alabama went undefeated in 1979 and defeated Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl to claim that national title.
"No, man, journalism. It was easier." - Joe Namath, after a reporter asked if he majored in basket weaving at Alabama.
i believe you are correct
but keep in mind, this is a penn state fan who pretty much went diving into the alabama archives for the first time. i offered advice and a few pieces of information but he went up that learning curve all by his lonesome. it’s one hell of an effort and i’m more than willing to be understanding of a few – relatively – minor inconsistencies such as this one.
Remember the Rose Bowl: The Story of the Alabama Crimson Tide & the Grandaddy of Them All
one thing ...
He kind of glossed over the fact that Alabama threw Penn State a bone in ’75 by getting them an invite to the Sugar Bowl in the first place. At the time, the Lions (an independent) were generally regarded the way Boise is now: they went undefeated every year and never got a vote for the championship (because their schedule was considered crap, and it generally it was).
Anyway, Paterno (according to the story) was ready to accept a bid to a less prestigious bowl that year, but Bryant called him and told him to hold off, because he thought he could get him in the Sugar Bowl. He did, and the rest is history.
this is the kind of nitpicky shit
that makes me hate writing about bama football sometimes.
Remember the Rose Bowl: The Story of the Alabama Crimson Tide & the Grandaddy of Them All
You just got "Todd'd."
We appreciate your efforts, Big K. It was an extremely well-written tome.
" Don’t worry, you’ve been lumped." -- so sayeth Todd, 30th August in the Year of Our Lord 2011, 9:10PM
I truly love this rivalry.
It is completely devoid of words such as “bitter” and “hatred.” Rather, you find a true sense of mutual respect and graciousness. I hope everyone else savors our match-ups with PSU in 2010 and 2011 as much as I have.
" Don’t worry, you’ve been lumped." -- so sayeth Todd, 30th August in the Year of Our Lord 2011, 9:10PM
PSU fans sure do!
This is fantastic for college football. Really, when you think about it, these are two of the most “national” programs out there. Even though both teams haven’t played as often as other “rivalries,” the tradition and history between the two teams—even in the years when they don’t play head-to-head—runs deep.
And since this might be the last time for a while these two programs meet, let’s hope for a classic game, no matter which side comes out on top.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make. - Michael Weinreb"
by Mike Pettigano on Sep 9, 2011 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
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