It’s finally here.
For the first time since a disappointing outing on Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl, the Penn State football team will take the field on Saturday afternoon when Indiana State visits Beaver Stadium for the season opener.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll preview Saturday’s contest and take a closer look at the quarterback battle that’s brewing in Happy Valley. Let’s start with the big news that came out of Tuesday’s Joe Paterno news conference.
Will He or Won’t He?
Coach Paterno, still hobbled a bit by the injury he sustained in practice a few weeks ago, isn’t sure if he will be on the sidelines for Saturday’s season opener with Indiana State.
He addressed that (among many other topics) at Tuesday’s news conference. A reporter asked the iconic coach if he planned on being on the sidelines.
“Well, I’m trying to be,” Paterno said matter-of-factly. “I’ve got some medical people who want me upstairs and I want to be downstairs. That being upstairs is for the birds. You just don’t seem to be in it. I like to be on the sideline and get a feel for things and be able to grab a kid and tell him to do certain things. So I’m going to try hard to be on the sideline. It’s probably 50-50 whether I’m going to do it this weekend or not.”
It says here that Paterno should be cautious and go upstairs for Saturday’s tilt with the Sycamores. There’s no sense risking injury, especially with Alabama coming to town next week. I’m certain the television execs would rather have him on the sideline next week rather than this week anyway.
Paterno entered Tuesday’s news conference with the aid of a cane, and he addressed that as well.
“I’m walking around with the cane. I probably could get by without the cane right now, but I can’t move fast yet. And I’d have trouble getting out of the way of some things. But today is Tuesday. I’ve got three more days, a couple more days before I have to really make up my mind what I’m going to do,” Paterno said. “But as of now it’s a 50-50 thing, I think. Doctors tell me a little differently. But sometimes, you know, you have to do what you think you can do and not what somebody else thinks you can do.”
Sometimes, though, you just have to be smart. And being smart dictates going upstairs.
QB Situation
The question on everyone’s mind was not answered on Tuesday. Paterno failed to name a starting quarterback, leaving fans and media wondering just who will be the starting QB on Saturday – Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin?
If he knows, Paterno wasn’t tipping his hand.
“Both those kids have done really well. Spring practice and both worked hard this summer. (They) stayed up here this summer, worked with the guys. And they have been real good in preseason. I’m not a guy that likes to play two quarterbacks, but I think we’ll play both of them,” Paterno said. “They both are ready to play and they’re both as I said, they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. And both of them continue to contribute to the football team and get us ready to play as well as we can.”
The fact that Paterno failed to name a starting QB is not good. Indiana State is nothing but a dress rehearsal for week two and whoever is going to be the starter needs to get plenty of work on Saturday. Not just half the game, but the entire game. Playing two quarterbacks will set this team back. The starter needs to play all four quarters. Alternating Bolden and McGloin will be a detriment when the No. 2 team in the nation comes to town next week.
Gameday: Indiana State
Not much mystery here. Indiana State is Div. I-AA, which means it will be a tasty cupcake for the Nittany Lions to devour. The NCAA doesn’t have exhibition games, but this is as close as it gets. This is, however, an opportunity for the Lions to work out the kinks along the offensive line and see what the running game looks like without Evan Royster.
Most importantly, it will give Bolden and McGloin one more chance to audition for the starting job.
This game will be over by halftime, but it doesn’t mean that we won’t get some answers along the way.
Enjoy the tailgating, enjoy the win. Chances are you won’t see one next week.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 44, Indiana State 6.
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!