Penn State rallies past Ohio State; Paterno wins No. 324.

Byline: Ray Parrillo

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. _ The trappings that surround a famous football coach never much mattered to Joe Paterno. He has lived in the same modest home here for more than three decades. He buys suits in outlet stores. And he wheels around in a five-year-old automobile that's as bland as the uniforms worn by his Penn State Nittany Lions.

But those trappings come too easily for an earnest man like Paterno. Instead, he prefers to bask in the struggles of the game, the relentless attention to detail required in the pursuit of victory.

So it seemed fitting Saturday that the win that placed Paterno atop the career list of major-college coaches was hard-earned, one that required his team to keep getting off the canvas after another staggering punch from Ohio State.

It also seemed fitting that the win was gained by perhaps the most maligned of the 36 teams he has coached in Happy Valley.

And after quarterback Zack Mills' clutch run for a first down in the closing minutes sealed the thrilling 29-27 Big Ten Conference win over the Buckeyes before 108,327 at Beaver Stadium, Paterno was given a well-deserved salute. He was hoisted onto the shoulders of some of his players as the crowd roared, chanting "324" and "JoePa, JoePa."

Paterno then stood on a portable stage with his wife, Sue, and his five children and nine grandchildren. Behind those thick tinted glasses, Paterno's eyes welled as the crowd chanted his name, family members took turns hugging him, and a tasteful video presentation of his career was displayed. Meantime, several of his players embraced one another on the field. More than anyone, they know how difficult it was to get Paterno victory No. 324.