JoePa in pain, coaches from press box

Joe Paterno’s body is starting to break down. Penn State’s 81-year-old coaching legend, who is in pain from a right hip injury that has limited his mobility, coached the Nittany Lions to 20-6 victory over Purdue today from the press box at Ross-Ade Stadium. This was the first time Paterno, who was hurt while attempting an onside kick in practice Aug. 28, did not start the game on the sidelines during his storied career. Two weeks ago, he spent the second half of State’s 45-3 victory over Temple coaching from the Beaver Stadium press box. Paterno did make it down to the sidelines to shake the hand of Purdue coach Joe Tiller - who is retiring at the end of the year - when the game ended, but it was a challenge because he is also suffering from arthritis. “I’ve taken more pills the last two months than I have the rest of my life,” Paterno said. The Nittany Lions travel to Wisconsin next Saturday. (link)