Joe Paterno walked off the field Saturday, hanging his head like a prizefighter who just lost a 12-round unanimous decision. He didn't glance up once, even at shouts of "You'll get 'em next time!" and "It's OK, JoePa!"

Somehow, those words fell on deaf ears for Penn State's 79-year-old coach.

His team, ranked No. 19, was blown out 41-17 by a Notre Dame squad that capitalized off each and every Penn State miscue. So there was little reason for the coach to be comforted.

"They outplayed us. We made too many mistakes. We were sloppy," Paterno said, nearly drowned out by drums and cymbals from Notre Dame Stadium.

It was the Nittany Lions' most humiliating defeat since the "dark days," of three- and four-win seasons and booing fans. The last time Penn State experienced this kind of loss was in 2003 against Michigan State by a score of 41-10.

"I'm pretty upset now. But it happens, y'know? You win some; you lose some. Any given Saturday," defensive tackle Jay Alford said.

Dan Connor said the loss was harder to take than last season's loss to Michigan in the final seconds.

"At least with a close game, you're fighting until the end," Connor said. "This one, you're fighting, but it felt like a losing battle later in the game."

Justin King and Derrick Williams said they never experienced anything like it. Jordan Norwood's face looked as if he had just heard a eulogy. Safety Nolan McCready stared straight ahead, without blinking.

But, if anything, there was no finger pointing after Saturday's defeat. Each player blamed himself.

Alford said he thought he snapped the ball too high during Penn State's botched field goal in the first quarter, explaining that it wasn't holder Jason Ganter's fault. Williams said he didn't play up to his ability, citing his dropped long ball. Anthony Morelli said he's capable of more, vowing to spend more time in the film room and on the practice field.

"The older guys -- we just gotta step up and let them know this is not the end of the road," wideout Deon Butler said.

With every headshake and solemn glance, the players spoke of resolve, of not giving up. They said they never wanted this to happen again.

Saturday's disappointing loss started to take form in the last 90 seconds of the first half. Brady Quinn marched the Fighting Irish 69 yards upfield without throwing an incompletion and capping the drive off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija, putting the score at 20-0.

King said that touchdown changed everything.

"Mental mistakes killed us, and they capitalized on it. Once it starts going like that, it's hard to get a good team to stop," he said.

Morelli opened the second half with two quick turnovers -- a botched pitch on an option play and an interception. Notre Dame (2-0) scored 14 points off the mistakes, and the rout began. The Lions (1-1) trailed at that point, 34-3.

"Just walking off the field, you gotta think 'life's not over.' Next week, y'know, you still got the Big Ten Championship ahead of you. There's no time for sulking," Butler said. "You just gotta bounce back and show what kind of team this is."