Joe Paterno has often talked about how his father encouraged him to go into law instead of becoming a football coach.

He showed a side of his ability to make a case Friday night during Penn State's Football Eve at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State honored the unbeaten 1968 squad, Paterno's first great team, and Paterno made that squad the focus of his seven-minute speech that was equally engaging, entertaining and convincing.

He mentioned the 1968 team and didn't initially recognize the fans pointing out the group of 40 players sitting together.

Seconds later, upon further prompting from the fans, he saw his former players.

"You're a bunch of old fogies now. ... We won all those games with you guys?" Paterno said.

Later, he recalled how former president Richard Nixon awarded Texas the national championship that year instead of splitting it with Penn State.

"We got screwed out of a national championship," Paterno said.

As a consolation prize, the White House called Paterno and asked if he could be presented with a trophy honoring Penn State's 30-game unbeaten streak, the longest in the country.

"I told them to shove it," Paterno said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Among the players to return for the weekend were Franco Harris, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Mike Reid, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame; and All-Americans Jack Ham, Lydell Mitchell and Dennis Onkotz.

Day to Remember

Offense: Everybody? Well, if we have to pick, the offensive line was dominant, routinely getting to the second level of the defense and taking the linebackers out of the play. The line didn't allow a sack and showed great presence and poise.

Defense: Defensive line. Line coach Larry Johnson Sr. has another special group of playmakers in the trenches. Aaron Maybin showed a tremendous burst off the edge and was unblockable at times. The line was also a wall against the run, holding the Chanticleers to just 52 yards (1.6 per carry).

Day to Forget

Offense: Tough to pick, but Mickey Shuler dropped a pass in the end zone. It doesn't matter against Coastal Carolina, but come Big Ten time, he has to hold onto that ball.

Defense: The secondary had a little trouble defending the pass. Giving up 198 yards isn't terrible, but the secondary needs to shore itself up before Oregon State comes to town.

Did you Notice?

Former Lions Matt Rice and Terrell Golden on the sidelines ... Sean Lee mimicking Tom Bradley, all the way to his outfit and headset, on the sidelines ... The improvements to the stadium, including new playclocks and ribbon scoreboards ... Freshman running back Brandon Beachum's redshirt being burned in the fourth quarter.

Quotables

Joe Paterno on Aaron Maybin.

"He's a good football player. He just has to be a better student, otherwise he'll turn out to be a reporter."

Deon Butler on game atmosphere.

"I almost tackled three people on the way to class Thursday, so I was ready. Even if you're playing State College you have to be hyped."