With six quarterbacks under center, none stole the show.
It’s been 63 years since Joe Paterno was not present for a spring game, but the Nittany Lions still suffered from the same old issues during the annual Blue-White game. There is no clear starter at the quarterback position. Six gunslingers were rotated in-and-out throughout an enthusiastic Beaver Stadium but all failed to deliver.
Though new head Coach Bill O’Brien is known for his high powered New England offense, the defense stole the show. The blue-clad defense forced five interception and eight sacks in a 77-65 victory in front of 60,000 plus fans. The perennial QB front-runners, Matt McGloin, Rob Bolden and Paul Jones were stiffled all day long with all three throwing at least one interception and Bolden toping the charts with a staggering three picks.
After yesterday’s performance, Matt McGloin seems to be at the head of the pack not because of his stellar play, but because everyone else is playing so poorly. However, O’Brien is confident in his quarterbacks and he “feel[s] pretty good where we’re at quarterback-wise.” Though O’Brien will not name a starter until the Fall, it is clear players are pleased with the new offensive direction.
In somewhat uncharacteristic fashion, McGloin took a cheap shot at his former staff stating, “We’re communicating more. We’re having more fun out there.” “The most important thing is, we’re being told the truth. Coach [O’Brien] is being honest with us. In the past, that really hasn’t happened too much.”
Though the score seemed more like a basketball game final, do not be fooled. The offense was still very vanilla. The new scoring system allowed for points with turnovers, sacks, three-and-outs, tackles, and big plays making for the unlikely and very misleading football outcome.
The true test will come on September 1 when Penn State kicks-off against Ohio at Beaver Stadium.
QB Stats:
Jones, Paul: 6-15-1-113-1-42-2 (C-A-I-YDS-Long-Sack)
Bolden, Rob: 7-14-3-78-0-37-2
McGloin, Matt: 6-13-1-105-1-41-2
McGregor, Shane: 4-4-0-47-0-27-0
Lucas, Tyler: 0-1-0-0-0-0-0
Venuto, Garrett: 0-1-0-0-0-0-2
Totals 23-48-5-343-2-42-8
