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JoePa coaches

from press box

Joe Paterno coached Penn State's season opener from the press box yesterday in Happy Valley, three weeks after an accidental collision at practice left him with right shoulder and pelvis injuries.

Paterno, 84, said he hoped to return to the sideline next week at home against No. 2 Alabama.

"I really probably could have done it today, but the doctor didn't want me to do it. They were afraid I wouldn't get out of the way, maybe something fluky would happen," Paterno said.

Chaz Powell returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a Penn State score and Silas Redd ran for 104 yards and two TDs as Penn State romped, 41-7, over Indiana State.

Mizzou holds on

No. 21 Missouri withstood a challenge from Miami, Ohio, 17-6, but needed a 10-yard James Franklin to Marcus Lucas touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to keep the RedHawks at bay in Columbia, Mo. E.J. Gaines' interception in the end zone snuffed a 67-yard Miami drive just before the end of the first half.

Purdue rallies

Purdue also was fortunate to get out with a victory as Caleb TerBush threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Antavian Edison with 49 seconds left and Ricardo Allen blocked a 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired for a 27-24 victory over Middle Tennessee. Purdue's final drive went 85 yards in 11 plays.

Right before the field-goal attempt, MTSU's Malcolm Beyah just missed catching the winning 30-yard pass with five seconds left.-- AP