STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Capping the worst week in school history, No. 12 Penn State nearly overcame a 17-point deficit but was stopped short on a 4th-and-1 late in a 17-14 loss Saturday to No. 19 Nebraska.
The outcome was secondary in Happy Valley.
A tumultuous week that began with the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on shocking child sexual abuse charges ended Saturday with Penn State losing in its first game in 46 years without coach Joe Paterno, who was fired Wednesday.
Rex Burkhead ran for 121 yards and a touchdown before the Nittany Lions scored 14 unanswered behind two second-half touchdown runs by Stephfon Green.
But a key drive ended when Silas Redd was stopped on the fourth down with 1:49 left at the Penn State 38.
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