I don't want to write anything negative about Penn State's football team after watching what this team has done the past two weeks.

Against Northwestern, it displayed a tremendous amount of heart and poise in a rousing 38-35 victory. And then again against Ohio State, the Lions showed the college football world even more determination after coming back to win from a 27-9 deficit.

But I do have one thing to complain about. And it has nothing to do with the team itself.

It has to do with the team's following.

Please tell me if I'm crazy in saying this, but wouldn't you think that Beaver Stadium would be overflowing with spectators on a day when Joe Paterno could break the all time coaching victory mark?

The announced attendance for Saturday's game was 108,327.

Please.

A blind man could've seen that the new upper deck was no more than two-thirds full. And as you gazed around the stadium, you could catch the gleam of reflected sunshine.

I'm no scientific specialist but I do know that sun rays bounce off of silver bleachers and not off of people. Hence, there were a few empty seats around other parts of the stadium as well.

Come on people. I know this team got off to an 0-4 start but they have really turned things around and have a realistic shot of reaching the postseason if they keep playing this way.

And considering the magnitude of this particular game, you'd think that a large throng of Nittany Lion faithful would've been more than willing to witness history.

I didn't realize this until a few hours before the game, but those nice comfy seats with the backs on them in that new addition cost $45. I'm not certain, but I'm almost positive that the university sold all of those seats up there.

So let's see. Forty-five times six (for all the home games) comes to $270. Boy, I wish I had that kind of cash to piss away.

At least if you're not going to use the tickets, sell them or even give them to someone who would appreciate going.

Or better yet, maybe the university could drop the price a bit and sell them to fans who would actually show up for games.

Surely that would never happen because Satan himself would sooner see snowflakes before Penn State would drop the price on anything.

Now I know that Oklahoma and Nebraska were playing at the same time as this game but there's no way that could account for all those empty seats. But if for some reason it did, that's a pretty big slap to Paterno's face. That would truly show where the Lions' faithful loyalties lie.

Earlier this year I read a column that bashed Penn State fans, saying they were fair weather and didn't care much for the team unless they were winning. I thought the columnist was nuts.

I know most teams' fans are like that, but whenever I came to games as a kid, no matter how good or bad the team was doing, Beaver Stadium was always packed.

But I'm beginning to realize that he was right. At least partly.

While there were a few no-shows in the student section, it was still pretty filled. Kudos to them for showing up for a noon start (I know how tough that can be after Friday night on the town).

It appears the problem is with the rich, wine and cheese types who only have those seats because they pucker up to the university bigwigs by means of their fat wallets.

This team deserves far better than that. They've fought hard and clawed back to respectability after a lousy start. Fans should rally around them all the time, not just when they're winning.

And Paterno deserves better as well. He's done more for this university than half of those bandwagon jumpers have combined.

Show some respect, people. You should all realize that the only reason you have a chance to sit in luxury is because of Paterno.