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MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012
JOSEPH VINCENT PATERNO 1926 - 2012
‘HE WAS PENN STATE’
AP PHOTO
Penn State fans pay their respects at a statue of Joe Paterno outside Beaver Stadium on the Penn State University campus after learning of his death Sunday in State College. Former Penn State football coach Paterno died Sunday at the age of 85.
Legendary coach fondly remembered in our area
JoePa inspired many to individual greatness
nasal pitch. “Have some class! We don’t do it like that here!” And the TV cameras caught all of it. Downing’s mother called him about it that night. Paterno got a scolding from an authority figure in his life as well. At the next practice, Paterno walked up to Downing and said his wife Sue “saw that on TV and said, ‘That was not very nice. You apologize to that kid. He’s a very nice kid.’ ” So he did. Everyone in the local football comAP PHOTO munity has their memories of Joe Paterno. What’s interesting to hear are In this Nov. 5, 2005 photo, Penn State coach Joe Paterno acknowlthe small bits that stick out.
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
Dwayne Downing wasn’t even in the game when Joe Paterno came charging toward him. The Nittany Lions cornerback had been on the sideline in a game against Maryland in 1985 when he decided to engage in a little conversation with a Terrapins player. “Coming from the South, we like to talk a little trash,” laughed Downing, who went to high school in Virginia before playing at Penn State and coaching in Wilkes-Barre. “I was spouting off some stuff on the sidelines. I can just remember him coming up and grabbing me.” “Have some class!” Paterno shrieked at him in his unmistakable See COACH, Page 5B
edges the crowd before a game against Wisconsin in State College.
THE LAST GAME Joe Paterno ever coached made him major college football’s winningest coach. Which was only fitting. Because right to the end, Paterno was a winner. It was more than his 409 career victories, 24 bowl victories, five undefeated seasons and two national championships that put Paterno on a pedestal at Penn State University. It was the way he attained them that made him so revered. “I believe the inspiration comes from just his overall style,” said
PAUL SOKOLOSKI OPINION Harry Hamilton, a former Nanticoke Area and NFL star defensive back who played under Paterno at Penn State from 1980-83. “His approach makes you, or causes you, to turn and push your own buttons.” Even after Penn State pushed him aside in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Paterno was still preaching about doing things the right way. It is the only way Paterno believed in, right up until he passed away Sunday morning after losing See JOEPA, Page 4B
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Pats going to Super Bowl as miscues sink Ravens
Tynes’ overtime field goal gives Giants NFC crown
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady got all the help he needed to get the New England Patriots into the Super Bowl. Thank you, Billy Cundiff. The Baltimore Ravens kicker shanked a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds left and the Patriots escaped with a 23-20 victory in the AFC championship game on Sunday. Usually, vintage Brady doesn’t need much assistance in championship settings, but the Patri-
SAN FRANCISCO — Eli Manning is headed to another Super Bowl with a shot to show the world he belongs in the same breath as Tom Brady. Manning directed one short, final drive and Lawrence Tynes kicked a game-winning 31-yard field goal in sudden death overtime, sending the New York Giants to the Super Bowl with a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game Sunday night.
By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer
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PATRIOTS
20
RAVENS
AP PHOTO ots much-maligned defense came through, and Brady’s1-yard New England Patriots free touchdown dive with 11:29 left safety Sterling Moore (29) proved to be the winning points. celebrates with Brandon Spikes
See PATS, Page 5B
after Spikes intercepted a pass during the second half Sunday.
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AP PHOTO In another tight one in this decades-old postseason rivalry, Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes both defenses made key stops celebrates after kicking the before New York capitalized on game-winning field goal during
See GIANTS, Page 5B
the NFC championship game Sunday in San Francisco.
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PAGE 2B MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012
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JOSEPH VINCENT PATERNO 1926 - 2012
FEB. 19, 1966 - Joe Paterno, left, poses with his two-year-old daughter Diana Lynne Paterno, right on mother’s lap, his wife Sue Paterno and JAN. 28, 1965 - Joe Paterno, associ- their one-year-old daughter Mary Kathryn Paate football coach at Penn State at the terno, on father’s lap, in his home after being time, directs players at State College. hired as Penn State coach.
JUNE 26, 1969 - Penn State’s Joe Paterno, coach of the East All Stars, explains a play to quarterback Buster O’Brien, right, of Richmond, during a practice session for the Coaches All-America football game.
Football legacy will never die
Views of Paterno from those who knew him TOM BRADLEY
“The world has lost a great man who will live on in so many of our hearts forever.” —Former Penn State defensive coordinator and interim coach, via statement
DARYLL CLARK
Hundreds of sports figures paid tribute to the former PSU coach, who died Sunday.
“The GREATEST... The Legend... My Coach... My friend... You’ve meant so much to me and millions of others... You will live on in my heart. “I love you coach. Thanks for believing in me.” —Former Penn State quarterback, via Twitter
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer
Former Penn State star Lydell Mitchell visited Joe Paterno about a week and a half ago, hoping to get just a moment with his ailing coach. After an emotional hour and a half, Mitchell said goodbye and told Paterno that he would always have the support of his players. “I said, ‘Hey, man, we love you.’ We’ll fight the fight for him,” Mitchell said Sunday after Paterno died at age 85. “Joe’s legacy will always be intact because we won’t let Joe’s legacy die,” said Mitchell, who played running back at Penn State from 1968-72. Paterno won more games (409) than any coach in major college football history during 46 seasons at Penn State. “I think history will say that he’s one of the greatest,” former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, second on the wins list, told The Associated Press. “Who’s coached longer? Who’s coached better? Who’s won more games? Who’s been more successful than Joe? Who’s done more for his university than Joe?” Sports figures by the hundreds, including many Penn State alumni, and fans by the thousands paid tribute to Paterno after the longtime coach died from complications of lung cancer less than three months after he was ousted amid a child sex abuse scandal involving one of his former assistants. “It’s just sad because I think he died from other things than lung cancer,” former Penn State tight end Mickey Shuler said. Before the Penn State wrestling team faced Iowa at Rec Hall on the State College campus on Sunday afternoon, a moment of silence was observed. When it was over the capacity crowd of more than 6,500 gave a 30-second standing ovation while an image of Paterno flashed on two video boards. The screen flashed the words “Joseph Vincent Paterno. 1926-
DEC. 14, 1971 - Joe Paterno talks with sports writers in Dallas in preparation for the Cotton Bowl.
AP PHOTO
Joe Paterno walks around his players as they warm up for a game against Bowling Green in State College on Sept. 5, 1987. Paterno, the Penn State coach who won more games than anyone else in major college football, died Sunday. He was 85.
2012,” just below the digitized picture of a smiling Paterno, wearing a blue tie and blue sweater vest with arms crossed across his chest. “Please recognize now the passing earlier today of Penn State educator, philanthropist and coach, Joe Paterno,” the announcer said. “With coaching milestones too significant too list and impact too substantial to measure, JoePa — as he is known to Nittany Lion fans everywhere — will forever be remembered as a man whose family includes a team, a university and an entire sport,” the announcer said. “Thank you Coach Paterno.” There also were moments of silence at Penn State men’s and women’s basketball games. Former Penn State assistant coach Tom Bradley, who was interim coach for the Nittany Lions after Paterno was pushed out, called his former boss his “mentor for 37 years.” “Coach Paterno never believed that his role as ‘Coach’ ended after practice, or when the fourth quarter wound down or when a student-athlete graduated,” Bradley said in a statement. “He was a coach for life.” Paterno began his career at Penn State in 1950 as an assistant coach under Rip Engle. That’s when Pro Football Hall of Famer Lenny Moore played for the Nittany Lions. Moore
DEC. 29, 1972 - Penn State coach Joe Paterno and his All-American quarterback John Hufnagel (second from right) take time to pass a few words with opposing Oklahoma coach Chuck Fairbanks and his quarterback Dave Robertson in New Orleans Sugar Bowl.
joined Mitchell — they both played for the Colts and live in Baltimore — for that trip to State College a couple weeks back. Moore said he, Mitchell, Paterno and Paterno’s wife, Sue, sat around the kitchen table and talked until it got dark and the visitors needed to get back. “We talked the whole time and he was very together,” Moore said. “Didn’t look like he was having any pain. We told him we loved him and we left. “I’m glad that we had the opportunity to do it. And I was glad that I told him how I felt about him.” Mike Guman, who played fullback for Penn State in the late 1970s, said the Paterno’s legacy will be carried on by the many people whose lives he has touched. “Football’s a small part of his legacy, but it goes far beyond that,” he said. “You could have become a good football player at many places but you wouldn’t have become the man you are if you didn’t go to Penn State.” Guman said he didn’t think Paterno was treated fairly at the end of his time at Penn State and Mitchell agreed. “They knew Joe was going to retire (at the end of last season),” Mitchell said “They could have let that play out but I think they panicked and jumped the gun.”
JAN. 1, 1972 - Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is embraced by his wife, Sue, following Penn State’s 30-6 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
ered how true that was. “Because of the way he led and taught Penn Staters, the world is such a better place, not just because of his direct influence, but because of the influence he had on so many who have graduated from Penn State to positively impact the world.” —Penn State acting athletic director, via statement
URBAN MEYER
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Coach Joe Paterno. He was a man who I have deep respect for as a human being, as a husband and father, as a leader and as a MARK DANTONIO football coach. I was very fortu“Joe dedicated his life to Penn nate to have been able to develState and college football. He op a personal relationship with had unparalleled success during him, especially over the course his 46 seasons as the head coach of the last several years, and it is at Penn State. Joe was a major something that I will always player who helped revolutionize cherish. the game of college football. In “My prayers and thoughts go his six-plus decades at Penn out to his wife, Sue, and to their State, he influenced and impact- family, and also to the family he ed countless numbers of players had at Penn State University. and people at a championship We have lost a remarkable perlevel.” son and someone who affected —Michigan State coach, via the lives of so many people in so statement many positive ways. His presence will be dearly missed. His PAT FITZGERALD legacy as a coach, as a winner “The legacy of Joe Paterno and as a champion will carry on will be long lasting — not only forever.” as a football coach and mentor, —Ohio State coach, via statebut as a family man. For 62 ment years, Coach Paterno poured his heart and soul into a football MATT MILLEN program and university, helping “I just can’t help but feel he countless young men reach their died of a broken heart.” dreams and goals on the football —Former Penn State Allfield before moving on to sucAmerican, football analyst, via cessful careers and lives as ESPN adults. MIKE MUNCHAK “It’s hard to fathom the im“Coach Paterno was one of pact that Coach Paterno has had the legends of coaching, and his on college football and at Penn passing is very sad for all of his State. His insight and wisdom former players and the Penn will be missed. We at NorthState family. His accomplishwestern send our condolences ments both on and off the field to Sue and the Paterno family.” will never be matched. What he —Northwestern coach, via was most proud of, though, was statement not what we accomplished, but JIMMY JOHNSON how we accomplished it. ‘Suc“One of the greatest college cess with honor’ was his phrase. coaches of all time and a great “He instilled a spirit in each of man, Joe Paterno dies at 85.” us that we were part of some—NFL analyst, former college thing bigger than ourselves. The and NFL coach, via Twitter things I learned at Penn State are still with me today, and they DAVE JOYNER have made me a better person “This is a tremendous loss for and a better coach.” Penn State and the world. Joe —Tennessee Titans coach, Paterno was a great man who Penn State/Scranton Central was one of the greatest influenHigh School alum, via The ces on my life and the lives of Tennessean Penn Staters. For all of us who played for Joe, he taught us so BILL O’BRIEN much. He was a teacher and an “It is with great sadness that I educator first. He taught us deliver this message of condoabout self-discipline and paying lence and tribute to a great man, attention to the small details. husband, father and someone “He built young men from the who is more than just a coach, inside out. He’s famous for sayJoe Paterno. First, on behalf of ing, ‘If you keep hustling and Penn State Football, we offer plugging away something good our sincerest condolences to the will happen,’ and we all discovPaterno family for their loss. We
DEC. 4, 1973 - Penn State running back John Cappelletti, left, stands with football coach Joe Paterno, center, and actor Bob Hope after being named the 1973 Heisman winner in New York.
also offer our condolences to the Penn State community and, in particular, to those who wore the Penn State colors, our Nittany Lion football players and alumni. “Today they lost a great man, coach, mentor and, in many cases, a father figure, and we extend our deepest sympathies. The Penn State Football program is one of college football’s iconic programs because it was led by an icon in the coaching profession in Joe Paterno. There are no words to express my respect for him as a man and as a coach. To be following in his footsteps at Penn State is an honor. “Our families, our football program, our university and all of college football have suffered a great loss, and we will be eternally grateful for Coach Paterno’s immeasurable contributions.” —Penn State head coach
JAY PATERNO
“Our family thanks Penn Staters, students and all people for prayers and support for my Dad. He felt your support in his fight.” —Son, via Twitter
SCOTT PATERNO
“My family wants to express our heartfelt thanks to the hospital staff and doctors. They were amazing and caring. Thanks isn’t enough. We would also like to thank all of the tens of thousands of people who have been praying. Your kindness continues to sustain us. “Finally, to Penn Staters, past and present, know that Dad loves you all and has always loved being part of your family.” —Son, via Twitter
MICHAEL ROBINSON
“Beaver Stadium = Joe Paterno Stadium from now on.” —Seattle Seahawks fullback, former Penn State quarterback, via Twitter
ADAM TALIAFERRO
“At a loss for words. Thankful for the impact he had on my life. Blessed to call him a friend and mentor. Joe is and always will be Penn State!” —Former Penn State cornerback, via Twitter
DERRICK WILLIAMS
“Deeply saddened about the loss of my coach and mentor, Joe Paterno. You have been a positive influence to so many young men on and off the field. The lessons I have learned from you will be passed on. My thoughts and prayers are with the Paterno family. I love you Coach.” —Former Penn State wide receiver, via Twitter
NOV. 27, 1977 - Joe Paterno and his quarterback Chuck Fusina discuss things late in the fourth quarter in Pittsburgh against the Panthers. The Lions were hanging on to a 15-7 lead at the time. The Panthers got the ball, however, with 40 seconds remaining and scored, missing a tie when they failed a two-point conversion.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012 PAGE 3B
JOSEPH VINCENT PATERNO 1926 - 2012
MARCH 11, 1982 - Joe Paterno, left, accepts the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award from former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd at a lunch presentation in Pittsburgh.
JAN. 1, 1983 - Joe Paterno is carried off the field following the Nittany Lions 27-23 defeat of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to claim the National Championship, at the Superdome in New Orleans.
JAN. 2 1983 - Joe Paterno, right, and John Oswald, president of Penn State, hold the trophy after Penn State defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
DEC. 16, 1986 - Joe Paterno holds trophy he was awarded after he was named the Sportsman of the year by Sports Illustrated Magazine in New York.
Winning was just part of equation By MARK HERRMAN Newsday
The standards Joe Paterno set were impressively and immeasurably high. For Paterno’s football teams and players at Penn State, winning was only part of the goal. He emphasized all the other details, too: principles like integrity, education and maturity, the idea of developing wellrounded adults and doing good, along with doing well. It turns out he could not meet all of his own standards. The remarkable program that he built and maintained for 46 years was brought down in his final weeks by a child sex abuse scandal that makes his death Sunday an especially poignant ending to an incredible career and a wonderful life. Maybe history will be kinder to the legendary coach and down-to-earth icon than the harsh light of current reality is. We won’t know for years. We don’t know everything about what graduate assistant coach Mike McQueary saw. We don’t know for sure how McQueary told Paterno about seeing Paterno’s trusted assistant Jerry Sandusky in the shower with that young boy. We can’t tell if future generations will make the scandal the first sentence in the Joe Paterno Story. For now, though, it is hard to see past the tarnish. At this instant, this magnificent American success story—Brooklyn kid studies hard, works harder and helps countless lives — has aspects of an American tragedy. If it is all true, it is tragic what happened to Sandusky’s alleged victims. And it is tragic that Paterno did not get to leave Penn State on his own terms. Tragic that a robust man saw his health deteriorate almost immediately after the scandal was revealed and tragic that his world collapsed so suddenly and completely. Fairness will have its say eventually. More people recognize the two words "Penn State" because of Paterno than because of any other factor in the university’s history. The two national championships, the five unbeaten seasons and 24 bowl game wins are great,
JoePa by the numbers $554,136 Paterno’s annual base salary, according to university records, during the three-year contract he signed in 2009 1972 The year Paterno agreed to become head coach of the New England Patriots. He later changed his mind and stayed at Penn State 888 Division I coaching changes during Paterno’s tenure as Penn State’s head coach 548 Games as head coach at Penn State, a Division I/FBS record 513 Victories by the program while Paterno was affiliated with it
AP PHOTOS
A miniature football helmet lies among flowers left at the foot of a statue of Joe Paterno outside Beaver Stadium on the Penn State University campus after learning of his death Sunday in State College.
Paterno’s records As Penn State’s head coach for 46 seasons, Joe Paterno’s career record was 409-136-3. 2 National championships 1982, 1986 3 Big Ten championships 1994, 2005, 2008 WINNINGEST DIV. I COACHES
WINS
Joe Paterno
409
Eddie Robinson
408
Bobby Bowden
377
Bear Bryant
323
Pop Warner
319
SOURCE: STATS LLC
AP
but they seem greater because of the impact his former players have made on the people they have met since they left JoePa. Players like Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Lydell Mitchell, Matt Millen and Kerry Collins, all of whom went on to successful NFL careers.
JAN. 2, 1987 - Joe Paterno is carried after Penn State defeated Miami, 14-10, in the Fiesta Bowl, to win the national championship, in Tempe, Ariz.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno answers a question during media day for the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 13, 2007.
JoePa: The nickname itself suggests someone who will take care of you. He’s more like Joe Paternal. And who can measure how much good was done by the $4 million Paterno and his wife donated to the school? His official biography on the Penn State website includes
JAN. 2, 1995 - Joe Paterno celebrates his team’s victory over the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif.
this quote from former Penn State linebacker Greg Buttle, who went on to play for the Jets: "He’s putting together this winning program, but meanwhile he’s teaching 17-, 18-, 19-year olds how not to screw their lives up, how important education is, how important it is to have social
acumen. Forget what he’s done for players. He’s done more for a single university than anyone else. It transcends his coaching. No. 1 to him is what he’s done for Penn State University, No. 2 is what he has done for players." In that same document, LaVar Arrington, a two-time All-America and first-round NFL draft pick, said, "If you’re not a man when you get there, you’ll be a man before you leave. Joe has his system so that you’re prepared for life." There is where it all unravels. Sandusky’s alleged victims lost their chance to grow up peacefully and naturally. That is all a mark against Paterno. Just as the tackles his linebackers made, the touchdowns his halfbacks scored, the schemes his coordinators designed all reflected well on the head coach, this scandal is an indelible part of the head coach’s record. It is really, really sad, all the way around.
NOV. 4, 2006 - Joe Paterno is taken off the field on a cart against Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., after breaking his leg and injuring his knee at the game.
409 Victories, a Division I/FBS record, after winning his final game, Oct. 29, 2011, against Illinois 10-7. His final record was 409-136-3 79 First-team All-Americans who played for Penn State with Joe Paterno as head coach 62 Seasons at Penn State, starting as an assistant in 1950, and taking over as head coach in 1966 37 Bowl appearances, a record, as is his 24 bowl victories 8 His all-time standing among Division I/FBS coaches in losses with 136, a testament to his longevity 3 Other reported job offers Paterno refused early in his career include the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and the University of Michigan
JAN. 14, 2012 - Joe Paterno during an interview with Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
N AT I O N A L F O O T B A L L L E A G U E : W E E K O N E Colts
Jaguars
Dolphins
Patriots
Redskins
Falcons
Bears
Vikings
Texans
Titans
Saints
Chiefs
21
41
23
26
10
30
34 13
40 32
Bills
Rams
Eagles
Seahawks
49ers
Panthers
Steelers
Jets
Lions
Browns
Cardinals
Packers
Bucs
Broncos
40
28
24
48
23 27
17
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16
20
30 22
10 16
19
31
AN EAGLES’ WIN BUT ….
Vick, Birds hardly look super in struggling vs. Browns
AP PHOTO
Philadelphia Eagles safety Kurt Coleman celebrates after intercepting a pass from Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden late in the fourth quarter Sunday in Cleveland. The interception sealed the Eagles’ 17-16 win.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
By TOM WITHERS | AP Sports Writer
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LEVELAND — Even after his heroics saved Philadelphia from embarrassment, Michael Vick still had escape on his mind. “Oh, man,” the quarterback said. “I gotta get out of Cleveland.” The Eagles hardly soared, but flew away with a win anyway. Overcoming four interceptions — and nearly a fifth — by throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clay Harbor with 1:18 left, Vick rallied the penaltyprone Eagles to a nerve-racking, 17-16 win over the See EAGLES, Page 5B
➤ Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns to lead Washington to a 40-32 victory over New Orleans. Griffin ➤ Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for three touchdowns to lead New York past Buffalo.
➤ Rookie Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 309 yards, but also threw three interceptions as the Colts were routed by the Bears, 41-21.
➤ Tom Brady might have broken his nose in the Patriots’ 34-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. Brady was hurt in the second quarter when he was sacked but didn’t miss a play. Trainers Brady taped up his nose, and he finished off the game by throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. ➤ Adrian Peterson returned from a knee injury and scored a TD to help the Vikings to a 26-23 victory over the Jaguars.
➤ San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers bounced a ball off the crossbar and through the uprights from 63 yards, tying an NFL record in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. ➤ A pair of games are on tap tonight with the Ravens and Bengals playing at 7 and the Charges and Raiders at 10:15. Both games are on ESPN ➤ Complete NFL coverage, Pages 4B, 5B.
TENNIS
PSU FOOTBALL
Serena battles back, wins U.S. Open crown
Penn State leaves Virginia 0-2 and hurting physically
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
NEW YORK — Finally tested, even trailing, at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams turned things around just in time. Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure and her strokes, coming back to win the last four games and beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday night for her fourth championship at Flushing Meadows and 15th Grand Slam title overall. “I honestly can’t believe I won. I really was preparing my run-
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
UP NEXT
MEN’S FINAL Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic 4 p.m. today, CBS
ner-up speech, because I thought, ‘Man, she’s playing so great,”’ Williams said during the trophy presentation after the 2hour, 18-minute match, adding: “I’m really shocked.” Might be the only one. After all, what really was stunSee OPEN, Page 2B
AP PHOTO
Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka in the championship match at the U.S. Open Sunday in New York.
Ice packs, slings and limps. It was tough to tell what was hurting the Nittany Lions more after Saturday’s loss -- their bodies or their pride. Going forward from an 0-2 start, Penn State will have to rebound from both a physical and emotional standpoint. Neither will be easy. QB Matt McGloin (elbow), TB Bill Belton (ankle), LT Donovan Smith (foot), TB Derek Day (shoulder) and DE Pete Massaro (knee) are among the wounded for the Lions.
UP NEXT Penn State at Navy 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Players said Saturday Belton wasn’t able to do anything in practice this past week. He did not travel with the team to Virginia so he could get treatment over the weekend, coach Bill O’Brien said. Day started in his place but exited in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. The severity has not been determined, leaving juSee PSU, Page 2B
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2012
BASEBALL
Detroit, Verlander capture Game 1
P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L
“Matt’s done a really nice job of coming in at halftime and staying relaxed and calm. He understands it’s a 60-minute game. ... I can’t say enough about Matt McGloin. He’s got the job done.” Bill O’Brien Penn State coach on quarterback Matt McGloin
TAKING FLIGHT
Staff ace puts Tigers up in best-of-five American League Division Series by a game.
Lions beat 1st ranked foe under O’Brien
By NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer
DETROIT — Justin Verlander allowed a home run to the first batter of the game — and quickly shrugged it off. This hard-throwing ace doesn’t usually hit his stride until a bit later. Verlander shut down Oakland after that early slip, and Alex Avila homered in the fifth inning to lift the Detroit TIGERS Tigers over the Athletics 3-1 Saturday night in the opener of ATHLETICS their best-of-five AL playoff. Verlander allowed three hits in seven innings and matched his career postseason high with 11 strikeouts. As usual, he seemed stronger in the later innings, striking out the side in the sixth and the first two hitters of the seventh. That made up for Coco Crisp’s home run that quieted the Comerica Park crowd just one batter into the game. “I was a little out of synch but was able to get some outs with guys on base and keep the score at one run,” Verlander said. “The adrenaline got me a little bit early.” Joaquin Benoit pitched the eighth and Jose Valverde struck out two in a perfect ninth for the save. Oakland’s Jarrod Parker al-
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
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STATE COLLEGE -- Matt McGloin called it a dive. A few of his teammates weren’t so kind in their description. A hop. A jump. A fall on his face. “Terrible,” cornerback Stephon Morris said. “A two (out of 10).” All that mattered was what the officials called it. A touchdown. The senior quarterback scrambled to his right and went NITTANY airborne into LIONS the end zone for the winning score, completing yet another WILDCATS second-half dismantling of Northwestern. On another record-setting Saturday, McGloin helped rally the Nittany Lions from 11 down in the fourth quarter, storming past the No. 24 Wildcats 39-28 at Beaver Stadium. McGloin broke the all-time school record for completions in a game with 35. He threw for 282 yards and figured on three second-half touchdowns to stun the Wildcats in the fourth quarter. The third and final score came on a broken play, a 5-yard touchdown run -- his fifth of the season -- on third down with just 2:37 left to play. “I don’t understand,” a smirking McGloin said when told of his teammates’ critiques, “how a touchdown becomes bad now. That’s what I told ‘em! It doesn’t matter what it looks like. It still counts.” Did it ever. Still trailing 28-25 and the kicking game as shaky as ever, McGloin lined up in the shotgun with four receivers on third-andgoal from the 5.
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See TIGERS, Page 3C
AP PHOTO
Detroit Tigers’ Alex Avila rounds second base after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
AP PHOTO
Penn State quarterback Matthew McGloin (11) leaps over the goal line to score a touchdown as Northwestern defensive lineman Quentin Williams (88) defends during the fourth quarter Saturday in State College. Penn State won 39-28.
See FLIGHT, Page 6C
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY
Grenadiers’ king Benton seals victory over Knights
Dare may be ticket to Olympics Despite being a boy in a girls world, Northwest’s Glen Carr is proving to be among the best on the hockey pitch.
By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Lucas Benton had one more trick under his crown Saturday night. The GAR football standout – and homecoming king – returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown with 9.5 seconds left, sealing the Grenadiers’ 3526 victory over Lake-Lehman in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2A-A game. The victory allowed GAR (4-2) to tighten up a District 2 Class 2A playoff race where Lehman (4-2) sat atop the standings
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By PAUL SOKOLOSKI psokoloski@timesleader.com
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LEHMAN
going into the weekend. The Grenadiers were in fourth. Benton scored via run, punt return and pass before cutting off a Lehman fourth-down pass See BENTON, Page 8C
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Northwest’s Glenn Carr, with ball, has 22 goals and 20 assists in his last season and a half playing for the Rangers.
straight victory. “(I’m) trying to make it to nationals, maybe the Olympics, if possible.” He’s on the right track. Carr’salreadycompetedonthemen’sjunior national indoor and outdoor teams; received his certification to be a U.S. field hockey coach; and teamed with former Wyoming Seminary standout Ja Ja Kentwell on a men’s summer team in California. All because, his Northwest teammates say, Carr’s buddies defied him to join the girls field hockey team back when he was a freshman. “It was kind of a joke at first. It was a dare,” Northwest senior captain Kirsten Walsh said. “We were all kind of shocked when he came out.” It’s no surprise by now that Carr is having a
It may have started as a prank. But by now, everyone knows Glenn Carr isn’t joking around about his field hockey career. The Northwest senior has his sights on the U.S. Olympic men’s field hockey team, even while honing his skills with his high school girls team. “This is just for working, trying to get better,” Carr said recently after helping WVC Division II-leading Northwest to its eighth See DARE, Page 10C