Penn State Scandal: PSU Plays Nebraska in Wake of Child Sex-Abuse Scandal, Bomb Threats

It was a solemn time as Penn State University's football team, the Nittany Lions, readied themselves to play their first game since the Sandusky child-sex abuse allegations, and their first game without coach Joe Paterno, against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

On Saturday, the stadium was a sea of blue as fans chose to opt for that hue over the usual white to show support for the victims of the alleged sexual assaults.

Some students in the front row stood shirtless, their chests painted blue with white lettering, spelling out the worlds For the kids.

To add to the solemnness and tension of the day, PSU received a bomb threat on Beaver Stadium on Friday night.

According to Lisa Powers, director of public information at PSU, the school received a phone call to the main campus number at 6:30 p.m. Friday and the caller mentioned a bomb at the stadium, reported TMZ.

Police were immediately notified, though Powers claimed PSU did not perceive the threat as credible since the stadium had been on lockdown since Thursday.

Police used bomb-sniffing dogs to investigate the anonymous tip. But the search dogs found nothing, according to USA Today.

Prior to this issue, assistant coach Michael McQueary faced multiple threats and chose not to attend Saturday's game for security concerns. McQueary has since been placed on administrative leave, with many crying for his resignation.

McQueary is the individual who saw Jerry Sandusky sodomizing a 10-year-old boy in the showers of the PSU football building in 2002. McQueary did not go to the authorities with this information. Instead, he went to Joe Paterno and his father. McQueary may be protected as a whistleblower.

As for Joe Paterno, his son Jay took his father's spot on the team bus today as they headed to the game. The beloved 84-year-old coach remained at his home on 830 McKee Street. Numerous fans left signs on his lawn, yelled phrases of endearment, and said short prayers before the big game.

Paterno coached at PSU for 46 years and was renowned in the world of college sports until the Sandusky scandal broke. Today's game marks the beginning of PSU football without darling JoePa.

The stadium was rather subdued, with tailgating spots empty. One tailgater told USA Today that perhaps students don't feel like partying.

Before the game, both teams congregated quietly at midfield for a moment of silence and a prayer, reports the L.A. Times.

The school's alma mater was sung and senior-day introductions read.

At the third quarter, the score was 17-0 with Nebraska in the lead. Nebraska is currently ranked No. 19, PSU is ranked No. 12. Check EPSN for the latest updates.