SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Camarillo resident Rex Kern was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The former Ohio State quarterback was one of 20 enshrined during an all-day event, which was capped with a banquet.

In three seasons as Ohio State's starter, Kern led the Buckeyes to a 27-2 record and a national title in 1968.

The Lancaster, Ohio, native was named the Most Valuable Player of the Rose Bowl after Ohio State beat USC 27-16 to cap its national title season.

Kern threw for 2,444 yards and 19 touchdowns, but it was his leadership, not his numbers, that gave him a special place in the Buckeyes history and a spot in the Hall of Fame.

After his playing career, Kern returned to Ohio State to obtain his master's and doctorate degrees. In 2001, he established the Anne and Woody Hayes Endowment for the prevention of child abuse at Columbus Children's Hospital.

As for the other inductees, Doug Flutie, John Randle and Reggie Williams all faced a similar obstacle en route to being enshrined: all three were told they weren't good enough to play.

Williams was told by Michigan coach Bo Schembechler he couldn't cut it with the Wolverines and by a guidance counselor he wasn't smart enough to go to Dartmouth. The Dartmouth grad said such statements provided him with inspiration.

"That becomes a lifestyle reaction," said Williams, who went on to play with the Cincinnati Bengals.

John Randle, who played defensive end at Texas A&I, because major college coaches said he wasn't big enough, said all he wanted was a chance.

"I was a guy everyone overlooked. No one thought I could put the weight on," said Randle, who later gained fame playing for the Minnesota Vikings. "Getting to Texas A&I gave me a chance to do it."

Flutie, who won the 1984 Heisman Trophy, had been told repeatedly that he wasn't good enough to play at the major college level. He said before the banquet he text messaged Barry Gallup, who recruited him to Boston College with a simple message: "Thanks for giving me the opportunity."

Penn State coach Joe Paterno talked about what a great game college football is.

"I think we're all very privileged to belong to something that is as meaningful to young people as college football," he said.

Earlier Saturday, Paterno admitted to reporters that it was a bit odd that he was being enshrined while still an active coach.

"I'd rather do it now than when I'm dead," he quipped.

Paterno's 372-125-3 career record places him one victory behind Bobby Bowden, the major college leader.

Also enshrined were Mount Union quarterback Jim Ballard; Oklahoma center Tom Brahaney; Michigan defensive back Dave Brown; Clemson linebacker Jeff Davis; Texas defensive back Johnnie Johnson; North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon; Oregon running back Ahmad Rashad; McMurry halfback Brad Rowland; Indiana running back Anthony Thompson; Houston defensive tackle Wilson Whitley; Southern California linebacker Richard Wood and Notre Dame nose tackle Chris Zorich.

Coaches being enshrined along with Paterno are Central Michigan coach Herb Deromedi, Jackson State coach W.C. Gorden, and Doug Porter, who coached at Mississippi Valley State, Howard and Fort Valley State.