SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 4, 2010
Robert Bolden showed there may not be a quarterback controversy after all at Penn State.

The true freshman, who was named the starter late in the week over sophomores Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome, made the most of his college debut, passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns as 14th-ranked Penn State beat visiting Youngstown State 44-14 Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Bolden, the first true-freshman quarterback to start a game at Penn State since 1992, completed 20-of-29 passes, including both touchdown passes to receiver Brett Brackett, who finished with eight catches for 98 yards.

Youngstown stayed with the Nittany Lions in the first half, taking a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter on Kurt Hess’ 80-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Barnes, who had 11 receptions for 137 yards. Just before halftime, Bolden threw his first career scoring pass, a 20-yarder to Brackett for a 13-7 lead. Colin Wagner added a 48-yard field goal for a 16-7 halftime lead.

Chaz Powell returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, and Stephfon Green and Newsome added short touchdown runs for Penn State. Wagner also made field goals of 44 and 49 yards.

Hess hit Ely Ducatel for a 7-yard touchdown inside the final minute for the Penguins’ only other score.

Penn State won its season opener for the ninth straight season, and ran its record to 103-19-2 overall on opening day.