Kent State
7th MAC5-7
Penn State
6th Big Ten7-5
Kent State @ Penn State preview
Beaver Stadium
If there’s one thing that Penn State coach Joe Paterno has figured out in the aftermath of last week’s 24-3 loss at No. 1 Alabama it's that he has a starting quarterback.
True freshman Rob Bolden is the starter, Paterno said during his Tuesday news conference, apparently ending speculation of who would lead the Nittany Lions this season. Bolden had been locked in a three-way competition for most of preseason camp that wasn’t decided until late in the week before the season opener against Youngstown State.
Bolden looked shaky against Alabama (13-of-29, 144 yards, two interceptions), but Paterno said the protection from the offensive line didn’t help. Bolden is 33-of-58 for 383 yards in two games.
Paterno is still trying to figure out a few other things about his 20th-ranked Nittany Lions (1-1), who host Kent State (1-1) Saturday.
The coach was dismayed by the play in Tuscaloosa of his defense, which missed tackles and had no answer for Alabama’s balanced offensive attack. Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (144 rushing yards) became the first 100-yard rusher allowed by the Nittany Lions in 18 games.
Also troubling is that Penn State has not forced a turnover in two games.
The offense has struggled, too, especially the running game. Star tailback Evan Royster, who is 401 yards shy of Curt Warner’s career rushing record of 3,398 yards, has had little room to run. He had only 32 yards on nine carries versus Alabama, and only 72 in two games. Penn State had only 283 yards last week.
Penn State should be able to rebound against Kent State, which has beaten Murray State 41-10 and lost to Boston College 26-13. But the Golden Flashes shouldn’t be considered a pushover.
Kent State was competitive with Boston College despite five turnovers and only 4 yards rushing. Quarterback Spencer Keith was 23-of-36 for 201 yards and a touchdown, but threw two picks. With defensive linemen Monte Simmons and Zach Williams out with injuries, the Flashes were effective in keeping BC to 305 total yards. Simmons (broken ankle) is out for the Penn State game, as is running back/kick returner Eugene Jarvis.
For Penn State, backup linebacker Gerald Hodges (broken left fibula) is out indefinitely. CB Stephon Morris (foot) is expected to be ready.
Penn State has won 20 straight non-conference games at Beaver Stadium, dating to a 32-10 win over Kent State in 2003.
True freshman Rob Bolden is the starter, Paterno said during his Tuesday news conference, apparently ending speculation of who would lead the Nittany Lions this season. Bolden had been locked in a three-way competition for most of preseason camp that wasn’t decided until late in the week before the season opener against Youngstown State.
Bolden looked shaky against Alabama (13-of-29, 144 yards, two interceptions), but Paterno said the protection from the offensive line didn’t help. Bolden is 33-of-58 for 383 yards in two games.
Paterno is still trying to figure out a few other things about his 20th-ranked Nittany Lions (1-1), who host Kent State (1-1) Saturday.
The coach was dismayed by the play in Tuscaloosa of his defense, which missed tackles and had no answer for Alabama’s balanced offensive attack. Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (144 rushing yards) became the first 100-yard rusher allowed by the Nittany Lions in 18 games.
Also troubling is that Penn State has not forced a turnover in two games.
The offense has struggled, too, especially the running game. Star tailback Evan Royster, who is 401 yards shy of Curt Warner’s career rushing record of 3,398 yards, has had little room to run. He had only 32 yards on nine carries versus Alabama, and only 72 in two games. Penn State had only 283 yards last week.
Penn State should be able to rebound against Kent State, which has beaten Murray State 41-10 and lost to Boston College 26-13. But the Golden Flashes shouldn’t be considered a pushover.
Kent State was competitive with Boston College despite five turnovers and only 4 yards rushing. Quarterback Spencer Keith was 23-of-36 for 201 yards and a touchdown, but threw two picks. With defensive linemen Monte Simmons and Zach Williams out with injuries, the Flashes were effective in keeping BC to 305 total yards. Simmons (broken ankle) is out for the Penn State game, as is running back/kick returner Eugene Jarvis.
For Penn State, backup linebacker Gerald Hodges (broken left fibula) is out indefinitely. CB Stephon Morris (foot) is expected to be ready.
Penn State has won 20 straight non-conference games at Beaver Stadium, dating to a 32-10 win over Kent State in 2003.