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Penn State Students Push Back Against Paterno Firing

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Penn State students and others gather off campus, one holding a cutout of football coach Joe Paterno, Wednesday. (AP)
Penn State students and others gather off campus, one holding a cutout of football coach Joe Paterno, Wednesday. (AP)

As word of the firing of Penn State coach Joe Paterno broke yesterday, thousands of students gathered at the administration building, shouting, "We want Joe back!" and "One more game!"

Penn State senior Alex Braunbeck was at the protests and Tweeted, "I still cannot believe the #PSUBOT fired Joe Paterno. Does doing the right thing and being loyal for 61 years mean nothing in this society?" referring to the Penn State Board of Trustees.

Students later headed downtown to Beaver Avenue, where about 100 police wearing helmets and carrying pepper spray were on standby. Witnesses said some rocks and bottles were thrown, a lamppost was toppled and a news van was knocked over, its windows kicked out. Braunbeck says he does not condone the violence.

Braunbeck says he's sad to see Paterno gone, and that Saturday's game will be difficult.

"It's gonna be hard to walk into beaver stadium and not see Joe Paterno. This is the first time in 61 years that Joe Paterno has not been involved with Penn State football," he said.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Guest:

  • Alex Braunbeck, Penn State student

This segment aired on November 10, 2011.

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