Despite quipping that he would parachute into the stadium for the game, Joe Paterno jogged out of the tunnel with his team and kept going until midfield. It was notable because just last November the 80-year-old Paterno was bouncing back from surgery to repair a broken bone and knee damage suffered in a sideline collision at Wisconsin.

“It felt good,” he said. Redemption: Nittany Lions defensive tackle Jared Odrick was called for roughing the passer in the second quarter, but he snuffed out the ensuing Florida International scoring threat by blocking a 29-yard field-goal attempt. Most surreal moment: Paterno conducting his postgame press conference as Penn State fans, watching television sets around the stadium, cheered Michigan’s loss to Appalachian State. Best hit: The biggest hit of the game drew a flag in the second quarter when Penn State cover man Knowledge Timmons hit FIU punt returner Lionell Singleton a split-second before the ball arrived.

Best run: Rodney Kinlaw, who’s been reported to have been having a strong camp, burst up the middle, made a quick move and ran 15 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Leg man: Penn State’s Jeremy Boone averaged 47.4 yards on five punts, and dropped one inside the 20. The average Florida International punt return was 4.5 yards. Second-half surge: After being held to a net of 35 rushing yards on 16 first-half carries, Penn State finished with 236 ground yards on 48 carries. Unity: When Florida International got hit with a third-quarter false-start penalty, referee Steve Pamon announced, “Prior to the snap, the entire line moved.” Butterfingers: Florida International lost five of six fumbles, and had a punt and field goal blocked. Penn State lost two of four fumbles. Start me up: Defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu, defensive end Maurice Evans, and left offensive guard Rich Ohrnberger all started despite being listed second on the depth chart. Ogbu had one tackle for loss and forced a fumble. Evans had a sack. Sack men: Penn State had seven quarterback sacks, one each by Sean Lee, Dan Connor, Odrick, Chris Baker, Aaron Maybin, Jerome Hayes and Maurice Evans. Up next: Notre Dame (0-1) at Penn State (1-0), 6 p.m, ESPN

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