The Paterno Phile: Running (and) Complaints

Penn State’s 28-7 victory Syracuse on Saturday at Beaver Stadium raised Joe Paterno’s career record to 23-4 against the Orangemen. He is now 385-127-3 in his 44 years as head coach of the Nittany Lions. It is 60th season as a Penn State coach.

On the Run: Joe ran out of the south end zone tunnel with his players just before the start of the game. He jogged to the nine-yard line, walked a bit and peeled off at the 12. However, he ended the first half with his best effort of the season. After doing an interview at halftime at the 25-yard line, he turned and jogged 35 yards to the end line, then walked to the tunnel. Penn State’s longest run of the day by far.

Complaint: Joe took a cameraman to task for going into the end zone to film the Nittany Lion players during warm-ups. Joe had to be ticked about the TV guy encroaching the line, but the cameraman was wearing a goofy Spiderman sweatshirt, so maybe that had something to do with it as well. Made the ESPN highlights, by the way.

And Complainer: After Syracuse was awarded a sideline reception that led to a (failed) Syracuse field goal attempt, Joe was beside himself — and three officials — as he hit the trifecta in laying into all three refs at once.

Honest Joe: In responding to a question in his post-game interview, Joe meandered here and there — complimenting and commenting on everyone, including punter Jeremy Boone — but never addressed what the reporter asked. Until he admitted, “I know I never answered your question.” Then he continued and never did answer the poor reporter’s question.

In Position: After watching him for two games, I don’t think that on a consistent basis Joe is any farther away from the action when he takes his stance along the sideline. He can be 25 yards up the field to get an overview one play then two yards behind the line scrimmage on the next. It doesn’t look like he’s worried about getting into any sideline entanglements.