Pennsylvania State’s longtime football coach, Joe Paterno, suffered a pair of fractures to his left leg in a sideline collision during the Nittany Lions’ 13-3 loss to the University of Wisconsin on Saturday, according to a statement on Penn State’s Web site. It was undecided on Sunday whether Mr. Paterno’s injuries, which include ligament tears, would require surgery. Nevertheless, the coach plans to prepare for and coach in next Saturday’s home game against Temple University.

Mr. Paterno has led the Nittany Lions’ football team for 40 years and has been called the university’s most valuable fund raiser. Less than two months shy of age 80, he remains popular with fans, win or lose. At a statue of the coach outside Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, someone bandaged the left leg over Saturday night and hung a sign that read: “Get well soon, JoePa, we love you!”