Patrick Smith/Getty Images(COLLEGE PARK, Pa.) -- Amidst the sex scandal that has rocked the campus of Penn State University that led to the firing of longtime head football coach Joe Paterno, there was still a game that needed to be played. The 12th ranked Lions squared off against 19th ranked Nebraska in a critical Big-10 showdown.

Before the team's battled on the football field, they came together on the field for a group prayer and moment of silence dedicated to the alleged victims of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Once the game started though, all the attention was on the field. Despite strong support from their home fans, Nebraska jumped to a 17-0 lead and Penn State couldn't get enough momentum to come back and win the game. They didn't lose from a lack of effort. Penn State fought back to make it 17-14 in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie in the closing minute, but it just wasn't enough.

One of Joe Paterno's sons, Jay, is on the Penn State coaching staff. When asked if he wanted to tell his dad anything, Paterno gave an emotional response while fighting off tears.

"Just how proud of him I am, and Dad, I wish you were here," Paterno said.  "We love you."

This was the first game Penn State played without Joe Paterno as a coach on the team since November of 1949.

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