The story of the game is Rob Bolden — he’s not Robert anymore.
Bolden was what, 20 for 29, 230+ yards 2 TDs 1 INT? Good numbers for any QB debut, even better for somebody who has been on campus for about a month. He kept his poise and overcame a little adversity. I think Joe Paterno made the right choice with Bolden. Next week of course, is a very different situation though. Good to see him stay in the game for as long as he did.
Bolden’s opposite number, Kurt Hess a redshirt freshman for Youngstown State did pretty well too with about an 82% completion percentage and 2 TDs. He should be a good FCS quarterback before he’s done.
The first quarter was another painfully slow start. Youngstown State actually went up 7-3 at one point after a screen pass went 80 yards for a TD. After that, Penn State finally came to life on both sides of the ball.
I thought he tackling early on was rather poor for Penn State.
WR Brett Brackett, surprise senior co-captain, had 8 catches and 2 TDs. That sounds like his last two seasons combined.
K Colin Wagner had 3 field goals 44 yards or more.
KR Chaz Powell‘s kickoff return TD to open the second half was pretty sweet. It seems like we see a lot more of those in recent years. Remember, there was about a 15 year gap between kickoff return TDs, I think Blair Thomas had one and then the next guy to get one was Larry Johnson.
Powell might have gone slightly out of bounds though, but not enough to overturn a replay.
Only 11 carries for RB Evan Royster. Yes, the talk about him being in the doghouse seems real.
I missed the last Penn State TD while getting my toddler ready for a nap.
It doesn’t look like the students filled their section at any point. The best student section in the country is overrated and frontrunning.
I don’t think the blue seats in the south end zone were close to being filled either.
I wish I was there today.
So, how many complaints will there be from people who didn’t know about the $40 gameday parking?
Always good to beat the Penguins.
All in all, a pretty good tuneup for the Nittany Lions. They had a little adversity and responded well. Next week — a lot of adversity visiting the Alabama Crimson Tide.
