Associated Press
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ó His contract expires after the season. His hip is so sore it may need surgery. His team is one win away from the Rose Bowl.
Joe Paterno has made a living coaching big games at Penn State, but the regular season finale Saturday against Michigan State could be historic for one more reason: What if it’s the Hall of Famer’s last game coaching at Beaver Stadium?
The end of the regular season marks the beginning of the annual discussion among about whether Paterno will be back next season.
Paterno was gruff after the Indiana game Saturday, when he was asked whether this weekend might be his home finale.
“I haven’t even thought about it,” the 81-year-old Paterno said before limping off the stage with the help of a cane. His hip and right leg have bothered him since the first week of the season, when he was demonstrating an onside kick at practice.
Paterno has dropped hints, though, that this season won’t be his last. Two weeks ago, he talked about how he was looking forward to getting back on the road to recruit.BCS
NEW YORK ó The Bowl Championship Series is close to an agreement with ESPN to televise the championship game and biggest bowls ó a deal that would throw up a huge barrier to any playoff system for at least six years.
ACC
GREENSBORO ó Miami defensive lineman Marcus Robinson, Miami kicker Matt Bosher, Maryland offensive lineman Edwin Williams, Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, Boston College defensive back Marcellus Bowman and N.C. State redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson were among the ACC’s weekly honorees.
Wilson accounted for all three TDs in the Wolfpack’s 21-17 win over Wake Forest.
MICHIGAN
ANN ARBOR, Mich. ó Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he doubts quarterback Steven Threet (shoulder injury) or running back Sam McGuffie (death in the family) will play against Ohio State.
WASHINGTON
SEATTLE ó Washington coach Tyrone Willingham says injured quarterback Jake Locker (broken right thumb) is likely out for the rest of the season.
KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON, Ky. ó Defensive end Jeremy Jarmon is scheduled to have minor knee surgery today and could miss Kentucky’s season finale against Tennessee.
CINCINNATICINCINNATI ó Freshman receiver Nick Truesdell was dismissed from the team for violating one of its rules.
NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ó Rocky Long is stepping down after 11 seasons at the helm of New Mexico’s football program, saying he believes this year’s team should have been much better and that the coaching staff ó including himself ó did a “terrible job.”Long compiled a 65-69 record and guided the Lobos to five bowl appearances in seven seasons since 2002. The Lobos wrapped up their 2008 season Saturday with a 20-6 loss at Colorado State and finished 4-8 overall.UTAH STATE
LOGAN, Utah ó Utah State fired coach Brent Guy, who was 11 games into his fourth season.
The Aggies fell to 2-9 last week with a loss to Louisiana Tech and are 8-38 since Guy took over as coach in 2005.
STANFORD
SAN FRANCISCO ó Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said he is close to finalizing an agreement for a contract extension that he hopes would end speculation that he could leave for another job.
UCONN
STORRS, Conn. ó A Connecticut spokesman confirms that football coach Randy Edsall does not want to be considered for the coaching vacancy at Syracuse, his alma mater.
His name became linked to the Syracuse job after Orange coach Greg Robinson was fired Sunday.