Penn State Q&A with Ron Musselman

Q: Over the years, we have heard so much about the race for the most wins in Division I-A between legendary coaches Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden (Bowden holds a slim lead over Paterno in total victories, 373-372). Other than a couple of bowl games, the duo has not faced each other very often. We've also heard that they are great friends. It's puzzling to me not only as a Penn State fan, but also as a college football fan, that they haven't orchestrated a home-and-home series every few years or so. Why hasn't this happened?

Justin Fiore McKim, Winter Park, Fla.

MUSSELMAN: I agree it would be a good matchup between two Hall of Fame coaches, but I don't see it happening since both are nearing the end of their illustrious careers and nothing looms on the orizon. They may be good friends, but I don't think they enjoy coaching against each other. Bowden doesn't, for sure. Paterno owns a 7-1 all-time record against him, including a 6-0 mark when Bowden was at West Virginia. By the way, Penn State and Florida State have met just three times. The Nittany Lions are 1-1-1, with all three appearances coming in postseason play --- the 1967 Gator Bowl, the 1990 Blockbuster Bowl and the 2005 Orange Bowl.