STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Anguished by an unthinkable scandal that shook a university and tarnished its proud football program, many in the Penn State community rallied around a common cause.

They mourned coach Joe Paterno's dismissal and questioned the motives of school leaders who pushed out Paterno in November in the wake of child sex abuse charges against a retired assistant coach.

Alumni, fans and students already racked by emotions were jolted by a much greater loss when Paterno died Sunday of lung cancer at age 85 – and the grieving process again could be complicated following two tense months that often had the Paterno family and the school at odds.

Former defensive end Jack Crawford said the scandal overshadowed Paterno's entire body of work and his dedication both on and off the field to Penn State.