Old school Joe Paterno gives Penn State new life

Talk of the legendary coach's retirement has subsided.
By RUSTY MILLER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The biggest success story in the Big Ten this year is the remarkable turnaround for Penn State and its 78-year-old coach, Joe Paterno.
The critics calling for Paterno's exit have backed off as the Nittany Lions have gone 9-1 and climbed to No. 6 in the country.
Enjoying an open week on Saturday, they need only to win at Michigan State on Nov. 19 to clinch a share of the conference title -- their first since 1994.
So why is this team better than the last two Penn State teams, which went 4-7 and 3-9?
"It is better because we have decent players offensively," Paterno said on this week's Big Ten coaches conference call. "We were never really settled at a couple of spots.
Filled needs
"We were in every game, but we just couldn't make a couple of plays. We had to go out and recruit a couple of kids who could go down the field and make some plays. We did that and now we are a little different football team."
As for those who were calling for his retirement, Paterno said he never paid any attention.
"I don't have e-mail. I don't know the first thing about a computer. I don't have a cell phone," Paterno said. "I go around and do my job as best I can.
"Once in a while people will say something to me, 'Hey, did you hear what so and so wrote?' or 'Did you hear what was on the radio?' I say, 'Yeah, that's great.' A lot of people out there don't know what they are talking about.
"If you take any of it seriously, you are crazy."
While other teams risk championships and BCS rankings in their final games, Iowa and Michigan State need to win at least one more game just to keep their seasons alive.
Both teams are 5-4. The Hawkeyes, who have lost their last two, play at No. 19 Wisconsin on Saturday and then host Minnesota a week later. Michigan State plays at Minnesota on Saturday then welcomes No. 6 Penn State the week after that.
Slim separation
"We're a couple plays away from being 7-2, but we're 5-4 and it doesn't do any good to dwell on it," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "If we were lacking effort, then I'd be concerned. We're not lacking effort or commitment, so we enter every game with a chance."
The Spartans have lost four of their last five after a 4-0 start.
"The rewards take care of themselves if we play for each other," coach John L. Smith said.
Indiana (4-5) also retains a shot at a bowl, needing to beat No. 21 Michigan on the road and Purdue at home.
"Our seniors are very determined," Hoosiers coach Terry Hoeppner said. "I am confident that the younger guys will respond and not write this off."
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