STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — With Penn State mired in a disappointing football season, coach Joe Paterno admits the Nittany Lions have a "lot of holes" right now.

Paterno says he knew Penn State might struggle early in the season -- thanks to road games against Alabama and Iowa as well as a young quarterback -- but also says he thought the team would come through it with a bit more of a "swagger." Instead, Penn State has struggled to a 3-3 record and is winless in the Big Ten, including a 33-13 beating by Illinois at Beaver Stadium.

To try to motivate his players, Paterno dispensed with first and second-team practice jerseys last week hoping to open up the competition to play -- although in the end only some injury moves were made.

After an off week, Penn State will face Minnesota on the road Saturday. The Golden Gophers have lost six in a row and saw the sacking of coach Tim Brewster on Sunday.