Paterno gets hip, leg checked out

Oct 29, 2008 - 8:26 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- With third-ranked Penn State in a bye week, coach Joe Paterno used Wednesday to get his nagging injuries checked out by doctors.

For most of the season, the 81-year-old Paterno has been bothering by hip and right leg ailments that have caused him to coach the last four games from the press box, including last week's crucial 13-6 victory over then-No. 10 Ohio State.

"They (doctors) want the do some tests and see exactly where we are," Paterno said. "Because I've really not given them an opportunity to get a professional look at what my situation might be.

"I think I'm going to have to have something get done. But I want to find out from them what they think has to be done and get it done maybe as soon as I can after the season's over so that I can get on the road and go out and recruit."

Paterno initially hurt his hip while attempting an onside kick during a preseason practice in late August and acknowledged that he is pain.

"It's not one of those things that has to be done, but I'm uncomfortable," Paterno said. "That's obvious if I'm walking around with a cane. 'I'm uncomfortable, but it's fixable, and it can be fixed."

Surgery could be an option for Paterno, who has been told that he would not face an extended recovery time if that was the option he chose.

"I think we've got to give (the doctors) a chance to take a good look at it and give me a choice as to what I want to do," he said.

Now in control of the Big Ten Conference race, Penn State (9-0) is off until playing at Iowa on November 8.