Joe Paterno's Golden Years

(CBS)  Who could have imagined that in a game this big, played by teens this good, all the talk was of the two seniors stalking the sidelines.

CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts reports all eyes were on Florida State's Bobby Bowden, 76, and Penn State's Joe Paterno, 79. The two winningest, oldest major college football coaches — in what proved to be the longest big-time bowl game — ever.

"You know I kept looking at my watch," Paterno says. "Quarter to one. I'm usually asleep three hours at that time."

Thank goodness he stayed awake. Not only did Penn State win in triple overtime — at 1 a.m., but Paterno answered his critics who have railed for years that "Joe Pa" was too old after two several seasons.

"The senior class, we made up our mind in the off season," says Michael Robinson, Penn State's quarterback. "You know, Coach Paterno wasn't getting the respect he deserved."

Respect? It seemed as if Paterno has been around since the word was created. He started at Penn State when Truman was president and when a pound of coffee cost a dollar.

With those legendary coke-bottle glasses 'coach' may not see like he used to, or move as well as he'd like. But Paterno's response is razor sharp whenever anyone raises the R-word: Retirement — after the season.

"No, but I'm gonna propose you retire after this one," Paterno says in response to one query.

To you and I what Joe Paterno accomplished this season at age 79 might seem unbelievable. But to many of his peers, not so much.

In this senior strengthening class 88-year-old James Russell considers Paterno a kid.

"I think he's doing a good job of it, hanging in," Russell says.

Still fiery, still healthy at 79, Paterno is making plans to coach next season when he is 80.

When a game reporter yells a question at Paterno — "Joe, are you ready to retire?" — Paterno responds, "Oh, get out."

Doubters beware.