Paterno Begins Looking Ahead To 2011

CLEARWATER, Fla. (KDKA/AP) - Coach Joe Paterno is already looking ahead to next year as the Nittany Lions prepare for the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

One day after his 84th birthday, Paterno said that he has "a very young team."

He has about 60 freshmen and sophomore players on the team and "some of them are pretty good athletes that need some work. So, I think in that sense, you're hoping that you can get some things developed that are going to carry over to next year."

Paterno and the Nittany Lions (7-5) will be facing the Florida Gators (7-5). The Gators head coach, Urban Meyer, will be resigning after the Outback Bowl because of health reasons.

When asked about facing Meyer in his final game, Paterno said: "It ought to be an interesting game because of that.

"I hate to see Urban get out of it because he's been a good coach and he's been a good person. You hate to see college (football) lose guys like that," he added. "I feel fortunate that we're here and particularly playing against a team with the tradition of Florida."

On Wednesday, Paterno was announced as the winner of the NCAA Gerald R. Ford Award for advocating intercollegiate athletics. He will receive the award at the NCAA convention on Jan. 13.

NCAA President Mark Emmert, who announced the award said: "Paterno is the definitive role model of what it means to be a college coach."