Nebraska @ Penn State preview

THE STORY: When Penn State coach Joe Paterno last walked off the field on a game day, he did so in historic fashion. It turned out to be the final game of a legendary 46-year coaching career that fell apart in less than two weeks.

Late Wednesday evening, Penn State’s board of trustees announced the firing of Paterno effective immediately as part of the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky child-sex abuse scandal. The termination came just 11 days after Paterno notched his 409th career win in the Nittany Lions’ 10-7 victory over Illinois. That win moved him past former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson and made him the winningest coach in Division I history.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley was named as the interim coach and will be tasked with the responsibility of preparing No. 12 Penn State as it takes its two-game lead in the Leaders Division into Beaver Stadium against No. 17 Nebraska in what could still be a preview of the inaugural Big Ten championship game.

The Huskers entered last weekend atop the Legends Division and in control of their own destiny following a huge win against Michigan State, but were upset at home by Northwestern, 28-25. Now in a three-way tie with Michigan and Iowa for second place in the division, Nebraska needs a strong finish to the season and a loss by the Spartans at some point if it hopes to secure a spot in Indianapolis on Dec. 3.

TV: ESPN LINE: Nebraska - 3

ABOUT NEBRASKA (7-2, 3-2 BIG TEN): One week after allowing a season-low 187 total yards against Michigan State, the Huskers surrendered 468 to the Wildcats – the fourth time they have given up at least 400 yards this season.

ABOUT PENN STATE (8-1, 5-0 BIG TEN): RB Silas Redd has rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games and is averaging over 140 yards since October 1 – the third-best mark in the country over that span.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Penn State leads the all-time series, 7-6, and is 5-1 against the Huskers at home.

2. The Huskers are 5-0 this season when Rex Burkhead rushes for over 100 yards.

3. Paterno coached 548 games in his career, 41 more games than Bob Devaney , Tom Osborne and Frank Solich coached for the Huskers combined.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 17, Penn State 13. In what figures to be a surreal Senior Day at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions will be hard-pressed to match the intensity that they are sure to face from the Huskers, who know they need to win to remain in the race for the conference title game.