Students meet to support Paterno

Published Jan. 21, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

About 200 students and townspeople gathered Saturday night in State College at a statue of former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno, who is seriously ill at a local hospital.

Some brought candles, while others held up their smart phones to take photos of the scene. The mood was somber, with no chanting or shouting.

Paterno's doctors say his condition has become ''serious'' after he experienced complications from lung cancer in recent days.

Paterno's son, Jay, tweeted, ''Drove by students at the Joe statue. Just told my Dad about all the love & support--inspiring him.''

The statue is just outside a gate at Beaver Stadium.