Shame on you, Penn State football fans.

Every home football game Saturday, the area near Beaver Stadium fills with thousands of tailgaters, people young and old, and more than 100,000 rowdy people who are passionate -- borderline fanatical -- about the team in blue on the Beaver Stadium field.

One would think that for miles around, one should be able to hear the roar of the crowd on every play.

Lately, though, cheers have given way to jeers.

And lots of rude boos that echo throughout the stadium.

Granted, it's better than some of the more destructive methods fans have had of showing their emotions, like throwing bottles.

But while fans have the right to boo, that's not going to accomplish anything.

Booing is not going to do anything but make players feel worse than they already do -- and they must feel terrible; any competent adult realizes how dismal a 2-6 season is.

So here's an idea: just CHEER again, already!

Hearing your voices -- 109,000 strong -- booming across State College on Saturday is going to pump up Zack Mills, Michael Robinson, Tony Hunt and company up more than any motivational speech by Joe Paterno or any "white out" may ever be able to do.

The team is, without a doubt, trying as hard as it can. For some reason, something is not working, but Penn State has never been known for its fair-weather fans.

Instead, we are known for those who bleed blue and white -- the alumni who travel miles and miles every weekend of football season to cheer on the team.

We have a proud tradition, so let's not be the generation of Penn Staters to change that reputation.

Fans should absolutely have the right to boo, but the bigger issue here is respect. It is understandable if fans are so upset about the team's performance, but booing does nothing to help matters.

We know that fans are disappointed this season, but there are more constructive ways to show your displeasure with the team.

You do not have to be negative toward the team you came to support.

Go ahead and sell your tickets.

Go ahead and post your complaints on message boards. Write letters to the editor.

But don't boo.

Cheer your hearts out, Penn State fans.

It may not make the Lions win again, but at least it'll drown out that "Zombie Nation" song as it blares over the speakers for the thousandth time.