Penn State Loss Caps Rough Week

Capping the worst week in school history, No. 12 Penn State nearly overcame a 17-point deficit but was stopped short on a 4th-and-1 late in a 17-14 loss Saturday to No. 19 Nebraska.

The outcome was secondary in Happy Valley.

A tumultuous week that began with the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on shocking child sexual abuse charges ended Saturday with Penn State losing in its first game in 46 years without coach Joe Paterno, who was fired Wednesday.

Rex Burkhead ran for 121 yards and a touchdown before the Nittany Lions scored 14 unanswered behind two second-half touchdown runs by Stephfon Green.

But a key drive ended when Silas Redd was stopped on the fourth down with 1:49 left at the Penn State 38.

At Paterno's House, A Quiet Calm As Game Is Played

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State is playing football without Joe Paterno, but his presence is everywhere on campus.

There was a quiet calm Saturday outside his home near the center of campus. A small clutch of reporters and TV cameras stood watch.

Whether Joe was inside is uncertain. His son, Jay, didn't know where or with whom his father may be.

On the lawn a pair of homemade signs faced the windows -- one read "We Love You Joe, Thank You" the other, "Thanks Joe."

Nearby a small American flag was planted in the yard. But inside the Paterno Library, biology students were studying.

The peach ice cream flavor named for him was scooped out at the Creamery. And work continued on the Catholic student life center named for his wife, Sue.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)