STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary will miss Saturday's game against No. 19 Nebraska after the school said he received "multiple threats."

McQueary testified in a grand jury investigation that eventually led to child sex-abuse charges being filed against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The ensuing scandal brought down longtime coach Joe Paterno, who was fired by the university on Wednesday amid growing criticism that he should have done more to stop the alleged abuse.

McQueary, who testified that he saw Sandusky sodomizing a boy in the shower, encountered similar scrutiny. The university's athletic department released a one-line statement Thursday night saying it would be "in the best interest of all" if the receivers coach didn't attend the season's final home game at Beaver Stadium.

Earlier Thursday, coach Tom Bradley, named by the school to replace Paterno on an interim basis, said it was up to university administrators to decide if McQueary should coach. Bradley also said he was not part of any discussion about potentially dismissing McQueary.

McQueary has not spoken publicly. His mother, Anne, said Thursday they have been advised not to comment.

Bradley said he is replacing Paterno with a heavy heart. He will coach 12th-ranked Penn State through the end of the season as the Nittany Lions vie for the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth with three regular-season games to go. Bradley played for Paterno and has been on the staff for 33 years, and has been considered the leading in-house candidate to replace his Hall of Fame boss.

"I take this job with very mixed emotions due to the situation," a somber Bradley said at a news conference. "I have been asked by the board of trustees to handle this. I told them I would do it last night. I will proceed in a matter that Penn State expects."

"I have no reservations about taking this job," he added.

Bradley said he called Paterno after the firings Wednesday night but declined to divulge what was said.

"I think that's personal in nature," he said.

However, when asked, he was clear about his admiration of and devotion to the man he is replacing for the time being.

"Coach Paterno has meant more to me than anybody except my father. I don't want to get emotional talking about that," Bradley said. "Coach Paterno will go down in history as one of the greatest men, who maybe most of you know as a great football coach. I've had the privilege and the honor to work for him, spend time with him. He's had such dynamic impact on so many, so many, I'll say it again, so many people and players' lives."

He added: "It's with great respect that I speak of him and I'm proud to say that I worked for him."