Despite criticism, Penn State honors Paterno during game

There will be videos and remembrances.

Many current Penn State students are, understandably, not pleased with the school's decision to honor Paterno on Saturday.

After an interception by sophomore defensive back Delvon Randall gave Temple possession at the Penn State 9-yard line in the third quarter, Walker took a hit and dove over the Penn State defense for a one-yard score on third-and-goal to get the Owls within a touchdown with 1:50 left in the fourth.

Paterno was sacked in 2011 amid the shocking Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, so needless to say, he's become a pretty polarizing figure since his death in early 2012. That is fine with Paterno's family, which has steadfastly maintained his innocence. An email to a family spokesman was not immediately returned.

Sue Paterno, the coach's widow, in a statement Thursday afternoon concurred with Barbour's statement.

They gathered on Friday night outside the school's baseball stadium to celebrate their accomplishments and the coach who inspired them before he left a polarizing legacy. Penn State's commemoration of Paterno promotes the perception that colleges and universities provide preferential treatment to athletics, rather than victims in sexual-abuse investigations.

Moving forward has proven a hard challenge for Penn State, requiring leaders to balance distancing the university from the scandal while juggling the wishes of Paterno's ardent supporters who believe he was a scapegoat. The surprise about Penn State is it has given up an average of 245.5 yards per game on the ground to opponents.

Hoatson was referring to court documents unsealed in May that said an alleged Sandusky victim complained to Paterno about Sandusky in 1976 and was rebuffed.

Paterno died January 22, 2012, of lung cancer at the age of 85.

Penn State is a far different animal in Beaver Stadium than anywhere else. The university's president, Eric Barron, has said the allegation was not substantiated in court or tested by any other process.

But Hartenstine said he doesn't consider the reunion a celebration of Paterno.

"You would have to say [the event] is focused on the mission of this university and his role".

Mike Irwin and John Runnells, captains of the 1966 team, will be hand on for the coin toss. Introduction of players and "video presentations on the impact to student athletes" will take place, the university said.

"Coach Paterno, I think in many ways was naive about everything in the world except football and human growth, " Hartenstine said. A 1-3 mark against in-state rivals Pittsburgh and Temple would have been unacceptable for Penn State fans restless for in-state success.

"There are people who have strong conviction and passion on both sides of the discussion", he said.

Painting of former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno in a mural on a wall in downtown State College, Pa., by artists Michael Pilato and Yury Karabash. Generations of student athletes, coaches, administrators, staff, faculty, students, alumni and fans. "That's what we're acknowledging".

"Earlier this month, the University announced plans to commemorate this occasion as well", Sue Paterno said in the statement.