TAMPA, Fla. – Urban Meyer walked away from Florida with a win against Joe Paterno, who insists Penn State’s disappointing season won’t be his last.
Meyer closed out a highly successful six-year run that included a pair of national championships by leading the Gators back from a second-half deficit to beat JoePa’s Nittany Lions 37-24 in the Outback Bowl on Saturday.
Omarius Hines and Mike Gillislee ran for touchdowns, Chas Henry kicked three second-half field goals, and Ahmad Black sealed the win with an 80-yard interception return TD to help Florida (8-5) send Meyer out with a smile.
The 46-year-old coach resigned last month because of health concerns and to spend more time with his family.
Meyer and the 84-year-old Paterno met at midfield for a postgame handshake that was anything but typical.
“He said, ‘I love you kid,”‘ Meyer said. “He’s the only one who calls me kid. And I love him too.”
As for Paterno, he – and his wife and Penn State officials – spent the week leading up to the game repeatedly shooting down rumors that the Outback Bowl could be his last.
He expects to be back for a 46th season with Penn State (7-6). At one point, he called the speculation about his future – including reports that he might be in poor health and had been hospitalized – “ridiculous.” He reiterated Friday that he has no plans to retire.