Joe Paterno counting the days to USC and the Rose Bowl

News and notes from Penn State’s Rose Bowl media day held Friday in State College…

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno said he feels much better after recently undergoing hip-replacement surgery and admitted 2008 was a hard year for him physically.

"It’s tough when you’re in pain all day,” said Paterno, who gave no indication that he plans on retiring anytime soon. “There’s no reason for me to think I can’t go for a while.”

Paterno turns 82 on Dec. 21, and is in his 43rd season as head coach. With his players in finals next week, Paterno said he might meet with Penn State President Graham Spanier to discuss his future. Paterno’s contract expires at the end of the year.

“The university will be fair to me,” Paterno said.

California Here They Come

 You forget sometimes how big a deal it is living out here surrounded by stars like Gary Coleman, Carrot Top and Pete Carroll.

Apparently, though, it is a huge deal. None of the four players Penn State made available on Friday’s Rose Bowl conference call have ever been to California.

“I just want to see the Hollywood sign,” defensive end Josh Gaines said.

Asked how far West he has ventured, star receiver Derrick Williams responded, “Oklahoma.”

Safety Anthony Scirrotto promised that the team was coming here to win a football game, not to mingle with celebrities.

“We can’t get caught up in all the glamor and everything else that is out in LA,” Scirrotto said.

Only two players on Penn State’s roster have California roots. Senior Ako Okoli is from Daly City, in the Bay Area, but that’s no where near Hollywood.

Nittany Lions players have been pumping senior safety Lydell Sargeant for information about the Southland. Sargeant, after all, pretty much grew up on the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

His hometown is listed in the Penn State media guide as … Lompoc.

OK, What’s the Backup Plan?

The quarterback situation got dicey this week when backup Pat Devlin announced he was transferring and would not be available for the Rose Bowl. Devlin, a red-shirt sophomore, lost the starting job battle this year to Daryll Clark, who has another year of eligibility. Devlin’s departure leaves seldom-used senior, Paul Cianciolo, as Clark’s Rose Bowl backup. Cianciolo has attempted nine passes while appearing in three games this year.

“The timing is maybe not the best as far as we’re concerned,” Paterno said of Devlin’s departure, “but maybe it’s the best for him.”

As Clark’s backup this year, Devlin appeared in 10 games and completed 25 of 47 passes for 459 yards and four touchdowns. Devlin had one of the key plays of the season, though, scoring the game-winning touchdown in a 13-6 win against Ohio State. Devlin was forced into the game after Clark suffered a concussion.

Paterno said Friday he asked he asked Devlin whether he wanted to remain with the team through the Rose Bowl. When Devlin asked Paterno what he thought, Paterno said it was probably best he didn’t go to Pasadena.

Clark’s reaction to Devlin leaving: “We were surprised. It was just rumors, we didn’t think it was really going to go through.” Clark said he would not have made the same decision: “I wouldn’t transfer, but he chose to.”

-- Chris Dufresne

Photo: Penn State coach Joe Paterno smiles during a Friday news conference during Rose Bowl media day in State College, Pa. Credit: Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press