JoePa is starting a true freshman to open the season, something he has never done in his storied career.
Either freshman QB Robert Bolden is that good or everyone else under center in Happy Valley is just that bad. Coach Joe Paterno is doing something he has never done in Penn State history-starting a freshman QB to open the season. Paterno admitted any of the three QBs could have started, but Bolden had a slight edge over walk-on Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome. McGloin is more of a one dimensional QB with a strong arm. Newsome has a strong arm, but his accuracy and commitment to the game is questionable. He does have quick feet and can scamper with the best of them, but during camp, Bolden portrayed the best of both abilities.
The dual threat QB should adjust well in the post-Clark spread HD offense. The Orchard Lake, Michigan native was a top ranked QB heavily recruited by big time programs. In high school, he lit up the sky his senior year throwing for over 1,000 yards with 7 TDs. He also shred the field rushing for 535 yards and 9 TDs. Fortunately, Bolden opens the season against a high school caliber team in Youngstown State. This is a perfect game to see if he is really ready for D-1 ball. After all, the true test comes the following week, when the Nittany Lions travel to Tuscaloosa to face the defending national champs.
