Paterno Tabs Bolden To Start Opener Vs. Youngstown State Saturday – Intercollegiate Athletics
I did not think we’d ever see a time when Joe Paterno named a true freshman starting quarterback to begin a season, but the old man still has some surprises in him.

Robert Bolden gets the nod as starting quarterback. Throughout the fall, Bolden has been praised inside and outside the program. The conventional thinking was Bolden would be the starter eventually, but not until the trips to Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State had been made. The anticipation headed into the summer was that Kevin Newsome would likely win the job, though former walk-on Matt McGloin was thought to have a shot. While Paterno lists Bolden as 1A, McGloin as 1B and Newsome as 1C, I have to think that the latter two, especially Newsome really underachieved. That being said, Bolden must have been very impressive to get the nod. I don’t think Paterno would start a true frosh to make a point — he must really believe that Bolden provides the best chance to win this season.