After a lengthy battle to find out who would take over for the departed Daryll Clark, the Penn St. Nittany Lions have named Robert Bolden as its starting quarterback for the season opener against Youngstown State. Joe Paterno made the announcement, or something like it, on the athletics department's website.
Penn State Names True Freshman As Starting Quarterback Days Before Opener
Based on what we have seen to this point, Bolden has a slight edge right now, but we are confident all three quarterbacks are ready to go and hope to give them an opportunity to play until we settle on the one that gives us the best chance to win.
Apparently, JoePa is still into playing head games with opponents -- something in this case more likely to be pointed out the week two game against Alabama than the season-opening tilt with the mighty Penguins. He said Bolden is actually "1A," as opposed to 1B Matthew McGloin and 1C Kevin Newsome. Paterno has been hesitant to name anyone publicly as the starting signal-caller, and The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News, which broke the story, said coaches were trying to keep it hush-hush even after the decision was known inside the program.
One source told The Patriot-News the quarterbacks were informed of the decision prior to today and told to keep quiet.
The decision shows that Paterno still has capacity to surprise: It’s the first time a true freshman will start in Happy Valley in almost 18 years and the first time in Paterno’s career that a first-year quarterback will begin the season atop the depth chart. That’s a rather long career, in case you hadn’t heard.
Stay tuned to Black Shoe Diaries to keep up-to-date on Bolden and the rest of the Nittany Lions.
See More:
