PENN STATE COACH JOE PATERNO WINS HIS 400TH GAME!
November 6, 2010—As camera flashes lit up Beaver Stadium, Joe Paterno got a ride to a victory celebration atop the broad arms and shoulders of two burly offensive linemen.
Career win No. 400 for Penn State’s beloved coach will be remembered around Happy Valley for a long time.
“They had me up there before I knew it. I was hoping they wouldn’t to be very honest,†Paterno said after a getting mobbed near the end zone by players, school officials and family including his wife, Sue. Linemen Chima Okoli and Eric Shrive were among the players who lifted a smiling Paterno off his feet.
“I would be dishonest if I told you it wasn’t a moving night for me, and it was,†Paterno said.
JoePa is the first major college coach to hit 400 victories, but he tried to keep things as low key as possible, even with many of the 100,000-plus fans chanting his name. He’s always tried to keep the focus on his team and the game, no matter how much hype there might be around his career.
Losing 21-0 at half time, Penn State rallied to beat Northwestern 35-21.