With each additional loss, the frustration continued to build.

That frustration exploded Wednesday night at the Penn State men's basketball game against Iowa at the Bryce Jordan Center, as the Hawkeyes pounded the Lions 75-55.

As Penn State continues to struggle, the frustration has led some to question whether Jerry Dunn can coach this team.

At the game, the frustration made itself visible in the form of anti-Dunn signs in the crowd.

The first sign read "Fire Dunn" in all capital letters before it was ripped apart and confiscated by center employees. Once staffers returned to their designated areas, another sign popped up in the student section. Each time one was taken, another was held up, and the crowd roared its loudest outbursts of the night.

Other signs dedicated to the beleaguered Nittany Lions coach read "Jerry Dunn, Living on a Prayer" and "Fire Jerry, Hire Terry," which refers to replacing Dunn with his twin brother, an assistant coach with the University of Colorado men's basketball team. As the employees attempted to remove the signs, students passed them around, resembling a childhood game of keep-away.

Justin Casavant (sophomore-geography) brought many of the signs with him, and after he held up a few, the employees confiscated his remaining signs. He then placed the bag that he brought them in on his head. The bag was also removed by Jordan Center employees.

"I totally support the players, and our players are doing their best," Casavant said. "They are just not up to the caliber that we need to have a competitive team."

Penn State Assistant Athletic Director David Baker said sign removal is based on Big Ten policy guidelines. The irritant guideline refers to large signs or banners that could block the view of patrons sitting behind the sign, Baker said. The other regulation is related to sportsmanlike conduct rules put forth by the Big Ten.

Big Ten spokesman Scott Chipman said that the sportsmanlike conduct guideline is meant to create a positive environment for the venue.

Chipman stressed that, despite the suggested guidelines, enforcement is ultimately the final decision of the individual event manager.

Al Karosas, assistant general manager of the Jordan Center, said each situation is evaluated independently.

"If it's obstructive or if there's any kind of derogatory comments, it's included in NCAA policies," Karosas said. "It is included in the Big Ten guidelines, but there is room for interpretations."

Penn State has shown its interpretation by removing the sign. However, it is not restricting students' First Amendment rights, said Clay Calvert, co-director of the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment. The Jordan Center is not a public forum in the same sense as a park or a sidewalk, he said.

"Restricting content is viewpoint discrimination," Calvert said. "It's like allowing pro-choice but not pro-life."

Baker said the goal is to achieve a positive atmosphere at all games, and the university does not allow negative content about Penn State or its opponent.

A similar situation arose two years ago with Big Ten rival Michigan when the school's former head coach Brian Ellerbe's status was in question. Michigan Assistant Athletic Director Rob Rademacher said that in that situation they attempted to remove signs that read, "Fire Ellerbe," but he stressed addressing all situations individually.

"One night the entire student body wore cut-out [Louisville men's basketball coach Rick] Pitino faces," Rademacher said. "We couldn't do anything about that, with 300 or 400 students involved."

As for Penn State's sign controversy, the question still remains: What will happen Wednesday when the Ohio State Buckeyes arrive in Happy Valley?