Now the hard part: Picking up the pieces and moving forward.

Following a 41-17 hammering at the hands of Notre Dame, there is really nothing left for a defense to do.

"The best thing to you can do is let it go and get over it," sophomore defensive back Anthony Scirrotto said. "Even throughout the game, when mistakes do occur, coaches tell us to move on to the next play, you can't sit on it and dwell on it. It's in the past, what happened, happened and you can't change it. All you can do is get better and learn from what you did wrong."

There is plenty to learn from. But perhaps of greatest concern is linebacker Paul Posluszny, who doesn't appear to be fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the Orange Bowl. Coach Joe Paterno dismissed it as just being tired because the defense was on the field for so long, but if Posluszny is not back at full strength, suddenly this great set of linebackers – and defense – looks a little more vulnerable.

But if Paterno is nervous, he's not letting on.

"We're pretty good," Paterno said. "We've got to learn how to win a big game. That comes with a little bit of experience."

At least Penn State shouldn't have much trouble this week when it hosts I-AA Youngstown State.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Nittany Lions moved the ball in the first quarter against the Irish, registering 89 yards on the first two drives, but came away with no points. Anthony Morelli has been up and down as the quarterback, but offense doesn't seem to be the problem. The Nittany Lions were only outgained by Notre Dame's offense by 14 yards, 397-383. The problem was finishing drives and putting it in the end zone.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: It doesn't appear Paul Posluszny is all the way back from his knee injury, and that's a huge blow. The experiment at defense with Tim Shaw as a standing lineman didn't really work much, either. That sends everything back to the drawing board this week for minor tweakings before facing No. 1 Ohio State next weekend.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "That's my job. Go home, go to work, keep our heads up, keep our mouths shut. Let's see if we can get better." --Coach Joe Paterno on moving on after Penn State's loss at Notre Dame

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Youngstown State at Penn State, Sept. 16 -– The perfect antidote for a team that just got scalped? A home game against a I-AA punching bag. The Penguins used to be a I-AA powerhouse, but that was when Jim Tressel marched on their sideline. They're getting back to respectable, but that won't be nearly enough in Happy Valley.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Jordan Norwood –- Has shown great hands and an ability to catch just about anything. Another real playmaker at receiver.

RB Tony Hunt –- After a miserable game against Akron, Hunt rebounded to average six yards a carry against Notre Dame. But he also fumbled once, which is always a no-no.

QB Anthony Morelli –- Two games in, he certainly looks like he has the tools to be a legitimate quarterback. This week won't prove much of a test, but next week in Ohio Stadium could really serve as a nice measuring stick for his growth as a quarterback.

ROSTER REPORT: Don't be surprised if LB Paul Posluszny takes the week off or just plays sparingly against Youngstown State. Without a bye, a week off would do his knee some good, especially before the Big Ten season begins.

TE Andrew Quarless only a freshman, made his first start last week against the Irish, but the tight ends were a non-factor. Senior Kevin Darling is back listed as the starter this week.