Paterno defends matchup vs. Eastern Illinois

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Joe Paterno came prepared for an obvious question with lower-division school Eastern Illinois up next for No. 14 Penn State.

The Hall of Fame coach pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket and read a list of other programs also playing FCS opponents when asked why the Nittany Lions filled out their midseason schedule with a Big Ten breather.

“I’m glad you asked me about all those other teams playing [FCS] schools,” Paterno said before rattling off about a dozen programs to start a testy exchange with a reporter. “You got Michigan, Florida, Miami of Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama ...”

A bye week right about now might have been ideal for banged-up Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten).

Paterno declared Sean Lee out for a third straight game because of a sprained left knee — though the top linebacker probably wouldn’t have been needed anyway for Eastern Illinois, a school that plays in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Right tackle Nerraw McCormack, who helped solidify the line after being promoted to starter last week, is doubtful because of a right ankle injury. Other players are working through assorted aches and pains found this time of the football season.

“If we had an open date, we’d have a chance to give those kids a rest,” Paterno said.

But budget issues beckon for Penn State athletics: Revenue from home football games helps finance other university teams, so schools that used to only play 11 regular-season games are taking advantage of the NCAA allowing a 12-game schedule.

“We had an open date. We had a chance to play 12 games, which means money so we can support the other 28 sports on this campus,” Paterno said. “You go around and you try to get somebody that will be appropriate.”

Paterno did voice interest in adding a non-conference game in future seasons after the Big Ten schedule ends in late November, similar to what Illinois and Wisconsin are doing this season.

The Nittany Lions have had other games against FCS teams in recent seasons against Youngstown State and Coastal Carolina.

“I think Eastern Illinois is a good, solid football team,” said Paterno, a description he’s used often in the past. “We were fortunate enough to get Eastern Illinois, a good football tradition, and a fine program.”