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By JERRY KELLAR; Times Leader Sports Writer
Monday, December 07, 1992     Page: 1C/5C QUICK WORDS: PATERNO WALSH
FOOTBALL

Joe Paterno and Bill Walsh lobbed admiration bouquets at each other’s
football programs on Sunday, as Penn State and Stanford were officially paired
for the Jan. 1 Blockbuster Bowl in Miami.
   
“I think this is an excellent matchup,” said Walsh, Stanford University’s
head coach and the man who led the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl
titles in the 1980s. “I think it will be an exciting game and an interesting
one because both universities represent the best in college athletics. Both
have very strong student-athlete-oriented programs, rather than mercenary
programs. So we’re pleased with the matchup.”
    So, too, was Paterno, who’s set his own set of high standards at Penn State
during the last 27 years.
   
“I think it indicates this is what it ought to be and this is the way it
should be,” Paterno said.
   
The Penn State-Stanford Blockbuster matchup was just one of the postseason
pairings announced Sunday morning by college football’s new bowl coalition.
   
Both schools will receive over $1.5 million for their appearance in the
bowl, which will be played at Miami’s ultra-modern Joe Robbie Stadium, which
just happens to be the site of Walsh’s last appearance as the 49er’s head
coach in Super Bowl XXIII.
   
Walsh, who is credited for building the San Francisco dynasty, didn’t want
to discuss his NFL days on Sunday, opting to concentrate on his current team.
   
“With a 9-3 record this is something we’re proud to be a part of,” said
Walsh, whose Cardinal is ranked 13th.
   
On the other side of the country, Paterno was saying the very same thing.
   
“It worked out well for us … maybe better,” said Paterno, whose
21st-ranked Nittany Lions (7-4) agreed to play in the Blockbuster in May,
after State was left out of the coalition’s plans.
   
The teams haven’t met since the 1976 season, when the Lions wrapped up a
four-year series sweep against The Cardinal with a 15-12 win at Beaver
Stadium.
   
Paterno and Walsh, however, have never opposed each other on the football
field. But that doesn’t mean they don’t know a thing or two about each other.
   
“From a distance, obviously, I’ve followed his career,” Walsh said of
Paterno. “I could remember when he replaced Rip Engle, who was one of the
great coaches of all time. He was a trusted assistant and people wondered if
he could fill those shoes, and he certainly has.
   
“I have an absolute respect for Joe Paterno as an educator and then as a
coach,” Walsh went on. “You can only say that about so many men in football
coaching in this day and age. But he is one.”
   
College football’s winningest active coach shrugged off Walsh’s high
praise. Then he offered some of his own.
   
“I sure as heck don’t feel that I’m going to match up with Bill Walsh, with
the phenomenal success he’s had at every level he’s ever been on,” Paterno
said.
   
Both coaches stressed that they wanted the pre-game attention to be placed
on their players, and not themselves.
   
“I think if Bill and I had to play against each other, we wouldn’t have
much of a chance,” Paterno laughed. “I hope it’s not blown up to where people
don’t appreciate how good a football team Stanford is, or how good a football
team we have been at times.
   
“It may end up a great football game because of the players who play and
not necessarily because of the coaches who have been around a long time and
who have some reputation.”
   
Said Walsh: “I’ve never taken the field and thought of beating another
coach, because there’s always going to be another game.”
   
TRIMMED HERE
   
(WALSH) “I appreciate (Paterno) as a person and for what he’s done and
contributed, but it essentially will come down to the Penn State team and our
team and us trying to orchestrate some way to make it competitive and to win.”
   
**********************
   
PHOTOS
   
Joe Paterno
   
`I sure as heck don’t feel that I’m going to match up with Bill Walsh’
   
Bill Walsh
   
`I’ve never taken the field and thought of beating another coach’