Bowl Notes : ORANGE
In the third quarter of the Orange Bowl game, Oklahoma quarterback Jamelle Holieway threw an eight-yard pass that was dropped by Derrick Shepard.
Penn State players thought it was a fumble, probably because one of their teammates had pounced on it. On the instant replay, it looked like an incomplete pass. The officials ruled it was a catch for a first down.
Penn State Coach Joe Paterno didn’t complain.
But six plays later, after a 12-yard Oklahoma loss was virtually nullified because of a questionable personal foul against the Nittany Lions, Paterno was livid.
Waving his arms wildly, he argued his point for more than a minute with an official. Considering Paterno’s reputation, it probably was righteous indignation.
NBC’s sideline reporter, Jimmy Cefalo, said Paterno lost his poise.
It wasn’t an overstatement, but it was surprisingly candid. Cefalo is a former Penn State wide receiver.
The Sooners continued the drive and kicked a field goal for a 19-10 lead.
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