Penn State looks to keep division lead

Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

A preseason hit still has Joe Paterno sore, while the Penn State quarterback job apparently remains open even after a solid outing last week from Matt McGloin.

Yet through all the drama, the 21st-ranked Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) find themselves in an enviable position two months into the season: alone in first place in the Leaders Division heading into Saturday’s game against Illinois.

“It’s been tough. It’s a pain in the neck, let me put it that way,” Paterno said about rebounding from his injuries. “But what are you going to do, you know? I don’t think it’s affected the chance for the football team to get better because of the [coaching] staff.”

These are the times when 159 years’ worth of experience among the Penn State assistants might be especially beneficial. The 84-year-old Paterno injured his right shoulder and pelvis after 155-pound receiver Devon Smith accidentally leveled him in practice Aug. 7.

He was back to nearly 100 percent when a near-miss on the sideline Oct. 8 in the 13-3 win over Iowa left him sore again, including his right leg. He’s been hesitant about being downstairs ever since, worried that he might be a distraction.

McGloin paced Penn State’s passing attack in a 34-24 win last week over Northwestern by going 17 of 26 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. For the first time all season, McGloin started and Rob Bolden didn’t play a snap.

But the quarterback job is apparently open again — and Paterno wasn’t in much mood to talk about it. He feels both McGloin and Bolden can help win them games.

“I haven’t got the slightest idea yet,” Paterno said when asked who he planned to start Saturday.