Paterno: Poise gave Bolden edge
UPDATED: Joe Paterno joined Steve Jones tonight on the Penn State Football Show.
The 10-minute appearance was Paterno's first of the season. He said freshman Robert Bolden had a slight edge over Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome, which is why the head coach awarded Bolden the starting spot. Bolden's "poise" gave him the advantage.
"He has something that's hard to put a finger on," Paterno said.
But, Paterno hoped Bolden starting Saturday's game against Youngstown State didn't deter Newsome and McGloin.
He said just because Bolden's the starter Saturday doesn't mean the starting job is set.
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Here's a rundown of tonight's show.
Joe Paterno joined Steve Jones. Here's the dialogue:
-Robert Bolden has a little more poise than the other to quarterbacks. He has something that's hard to describe.
-The starting job is in no way set.
-Freshman are ahead of the game coming in from high school but still have to make the big college jump.
-If the coaching staff has "some kind of controversy" with deciding starters, Paterno have to sit down and evaluate each the player. Paterno has the last say on who will start.
-Being more aggressive in the kicking game depends on the situation.
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Wide receivers coach Mike McQueary followed Colasanti. Here are some of his thoughts:
-All three quarterbacks were capable starters. He "wouldn't be surprised if they all played."
-It's nice to have a deep wide receiver corps and players like Derek Moye back for another year.
-Chaz Powell's transition back to offense was "a natural transition." "He's going to play a lot of football there, just like he did last year," McQueary said.
-McQueary said Joe Paterno's intensity doesn't bother him. It's a part of the game when Paterno gets on him along the sidelines.
-Every recruiting year is different. This year's recruiting class "will come together."
-Shawney Kersey "has taken the next step."
-Before being hired, McQueary came back to Penn State for a visit , and it was during that time Paterno gave him a job on the spot.
-The first game each year is an unknown. You never know what to expect.
-Devon Smith is dynamic and has "come along in the preseason." He has better hands than people would think. "What he doesn't have in height, he has in burst and explosiveness." He'll be on the field a lot.
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Chris Colasanti joined the Penn State Football Show with Penn State announcer Steve Jones. Here's what he said:
-Colasanti said he's focusing on Youngstown State and not Alabama.
-He said special teams helps him get into the flow of the game.
-Jamie Van Fleet has been doing well in practice.
-Colasanti watches nine to 10 hours of film in a week.
-Nate Stupar and Michael Mauti will be the nickel linebackers this season.
-Mauti's worked hard to get back and is ready to go.
-Linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden is always pushing for sound fundamentals.