The 2011 offseason was one filled with some unexpected headlines for the Penn State Nittany Lion football team. Headlines ranged from the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of redshirt senior Stephfon Green to head coach Joe Paterno’s injury in practice. However, the most recent attention grabber, and possibly the biggest question mark for the Lions, was head coach Joe Paterno’s indecision as to who would be the starting quarterback for Saturday’s opener against Indiana State.

Paterno told reporters Tuesday at his press conference that a starter will not be named before Saturday’s noon start, but he did say that sophomore Rob Bolden and redshirt junior Matt McGloin are both prepared for the Lions’ first game of the 2011 season. Bolden started the 2010 season for the Lions before losing the job to McGloin later in the season due to an injury.

The last time we saw the Lions offense, Paterno was highly criticized for leaving McGloin in the game against Florida in the Outback Bowl with a healthy Bolden on the bench. McGloin finished the day being intercepted five times by the Gator defense.

However, no matter which quarterback is under center, Nittany Lions fans know who will be in the backfield for the first snap on Saturday. Silas Redd emerged as the starter during fall camp and looks to contribute heavily to the Lion offense. Redd served as Evan Royster’s back up last year and totaled 437 yards and two touchdowns in limited playing time. Offensive Coordinator Galen Hall looks to get major production from Redd and his experienced wide receiving core against the Sycamores.

Senior Derek Moye, who had 885 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last year, looks to have an even more explosive senior year in Happy Valley.  Production from Moye and the rest of the receiving core will be key in allowing either McGloin or Bolden to settle in and claim the starting role at quarterback before next week’s showdown against Alabama.

On the other side, the Sycamores are coming off a 6-5 season under fourth year head coach Trent Miles. The Sycamore defense returns four pre-season Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive team members, including junior defensive linemen Ben Obaeski, and look to pressure both quarterbacks the Nittany Lions put on the field.  

Obaeski and last year’s leading tackler Jacolby Washington will try to give senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch and the Sycamore offense a chance to pressure the Nittany Lion defense. Fouch threw 20 touchdowns last year and with the loss of leading rusher Darrius Gates, Fouch will look to experienced receivers Justin Hilton and Bryant Kent for major offensive production.

Defensively, the Lions return leading tackler D’Anton Lynn and also have key players back that had limited time last season due to injury. Health will be key for the defense, especially with linebacker Michael Mauti and free safety Nick Sukay, both of which can be game changing players for State.

With the loss of defensive end Pete Massarro to a torn ACL, Devin Still will have to lead the defensive push up front not only this week against the Sycamores, but for the bulk of the 2011 season. Indiana State’s upstart offense led by Fouch will be a good test for Still and the rest of the Lions defense and could be a good indicator as to whether or not the defense will be capable to stop the dangerous offenses they will face against Alabama and in Big Ten conference play.

Many questions will be answered this Saturday at Beaver Stadium, and the outcome of Saturday’s opener will give Penn State fans a pretty good indication of what to expect against Alabama next week. However, there is one main question that could be answered on Saturday: Who will emerge as the starting quarterback for Penn State? Will it be the former walk-on Matt McGloin, or true sophomore Rob Bolden? Only time will tell.

Mike Esse is a freshman majoring in Communications. To contact him, email mje5164@psu.edu.