It truly is what separates the men from the boys, and the awkwardly feminine from the possibly Canadian. It is Paternoville, and in the mind of this journalist it is one of the things that truly separates Penn State from the pack. This past week, I participated in the first Paternoville of the year in anticipation of the Youngstown State game. This year brings with it a renovated Gate A, and slightly new procedures for Paternoville.
The unprecedented move to start freshman quarterback Rob Bolden has been a swirling topic all week, but with a 2-touchdown and a 239-yard performance, Bolden made the decision look like a no-brainer leading the Nittany Lions to a 44-14 victory.
Penn State's defense is hungry, and Penguin is the main entree. The 2010 defense is deep at every position and will boast a rotation of six linebackers who all have game experience. Similar to Penn State's situation, Youngstown will be putting freshman Kurt Hess under center against a Penn State defense that led the Big Ten in sacks last year.
Nebraska is entering the Big Ten in 2011, causing the Big Ten Conference to split into two divisions. The big news for Penn State is that it will play Ohio State and Nebraska every year, but will no longer play for the Land Grant Trophy.
Alabama running back Mark Ingram, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and has been ruled out for their season opener this Saturday against San Jose State and could very well be out of the lineup when the Nittany Lions play Alabama on September 11 as well.
Just days until the Nittany Lions take the field against Youngstown State, coach Paterno has yet to announce a starting quarterback; however, seniors Ollie Ogbu and Brett Bracket have shown enough leadership to be voted captains for 2010.