Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith sported a 409 button as part of his game night wardrobe vs. Nebraska.
On the left side of his Penn State jacket, Smith wore a button with the number 409 and the name Joe.
Most Penn State fans who saw it on the NBC telecast understood the meaning.
Smith was a captain on the 1991 Penn State team coached by the late Joe Paterno, who finished his career with 409 victories, the most in FBS history.
Smith, whose Lions battered Nebraska 37-10 on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium to improve to 5-6, was asked afterward about wearing the 409 button.
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Penn State vs Nebraska, Nov. 22, 2025
“The 409 (button), you know, I’ve always acknowledged Joe Paterno,” Smith said.
“I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t coached me and taught me. So, I’m acknowledging him.
“We had a lot of lettermen here tonight in valuable positions. Michael Robinson’s on the NBC crew. There are other lettermen all over that showed up today.”
Robinson was a quarterback and captain on Pateno’s 2005 team that won the Big Ten title.
“It was just an acknowledgement that I’m proud I’ve been taught by one of the greatest that ever did it,” Smith said of Paterno.
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