I told you it would rain.
A sparse crowd turned out at Saturday’s Blue-White Game, which was played in awful conditions. Of course, you cannot take a lot from the annual scrimmage. However, we do have a few observations. In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a look at the quarterback situation, specifically the case of sophomore Rob Bolden.
There was little news to come out of the Blue-White Game, but let’s talk about Bolden.
Time to Go
After Saturday’s Blue-White Game, sophomore quarterback Rob Bolden was made available to the media, which was a bit of a shock. After all, it was Bolden who made headlines during the offseason when he talked about wanting to transfer from Penn State.
He apparently is still mulling a transfer, despite the fact that he would more than likely have to sit out a season.
“There’s no timeline,” Bolden told a large group of reporters. “However long it takes for me and my family to make a decision, that’s going to be it. I don’t know myself.”
For what it’s worth, Nittany Nation appears to be wringing its hands over the possible departure of Bolden.
With that in mind, I have one question for the 110,000 who pour into Beaver Stadium every Saturday.
Why?
Why the concern over a quarterback who clearly has no desire to play in the blue and white? Why the concern over a signal caller who was mediocre at best during the 2010 season? Why the concern over a player who couldn’t even keep Penn State competitive in the biggest games of the year?
Perhaps you were impressed with his final stats on Saturday? For the record, Bolden was 0-of-5 with an interception in the annual scrimmage. Yes, I’m aware it was raining. Well, it has been known to rain during the regular season in Happy Valley. Additionally, it didn’t seem to hinder the other QBs who played on Saturday. Matt McGloin completed five passes. Kevin Newsome (remember him?) completed three. Even Shane McGregor completed two.
Perhaps you need a refresher to remember who Rob Bolden really is. Before he got hurt in the Minnesota game last season, he was .500 as a starter with wins over Youngstown State, Kent State and Temple. He was lousy in blowout losses at Alabama and Iowa and downright horrific in a 33-13 homecoming loss to Illinois.
Had he not been yanked against Northwestern, the Lions would have lost that game, which turned out to be a historic win for coach Joe Paterno.
Bolden finished his freshman campaign by completing 112-of-193 for 1,360 yards. He tossed five touchdowns and was intercepted seven times. He got yanked from the Northwestern game and never won his starting job back. Walk-on Matt McGloin took over in the Northwestern game and never looked back.
Upset that he was benched, Bolden mulled a transfer during the offseason. However, Paterno would not release him from his scholarship, which kept him a Nittany Lion through the winter months.
On Saturday, Bolden made it clear that he’s still considering leaving Happy Valley.
“I love it here. The students are great. The campus is great. I love it all. But, obviously, there’s some things I feel should be different,” Bolden said.
It’s not hard to read between the lines.
Bolden wants to be the starter. That’s understandable. He’s a collegiate athlete who believes he’s earned the starting job.
He’s also wrong.
Clearly, the kid has talent. You don’t come to Penn State and get named the starting QB by accident. But what Bolden has to realize is this: He had his shot. It didn’t turn out well. Last season, Matt McGloin gave the Lions their best chance to win. Both Joe and Jay Paterno realized it, which explains why McGloin was handed the job. Despite his five-interception performance in the Outback Bowl, McGloin gave the Lions their best chance to win that day.
Until he shows otherwise, McGloin gives the Lions their best chance to win in 2011.
So where does that leave Bolden? Who knows?
Paterno said that he will meet with Bolden this week.
He certainly didn’t tip his hand at Saturday’s news conference.
“Those kids (McGloin and Bolden) had really good springs,” Paterno said.
But if Bolden’s attitude hasn’t changed over the past several months, Paterno should release him from his scholarship. It would be best for the Lions, and ultimately, for Bolden.
Chris Morelli is an award-winning writer/editor who lives in Centre County and covers Penn State athletics for gantnews.com. He’s also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out Morelli OnLion on Facebook!
