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Penn State's starting QB? Still up in the air

Between the start of preseason practice and the season opener, the most significant event in Penn State football was expected to be the release of the season's first depth chart - revealing the identity of the Nittany Lions' new starting quarterback.

Kevin Newsome is one of the candidates to be Penn State's starting quarterback. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Kevin Newsome is one of the candidates to be Penn State's starting quarterback. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)Read more

Between the start of preseason practice and the season opener, the most significant event in Penn State football was expected to be the release of the season's first depth chart - revealing the identity of the Nittany Lions' new starting quarterback.

Alas, Joe Paterno decided not to tip his hand when the depth chart was released on Sunday, indicating that three players remained in the running to take the season's first snap from center Saturday against Youngstown State at Beaver Stadium.

The quarterback listing read: "Matt McGloin OR Kevin Newsome OR Robert Bolden."

McGloin, a redshirt sophomore, is said to have a slight lead over Newsome, a sophomore. Reports from Happy Valley are that Bolden, a freshman who has been on campus less than three months, has been extremely impressive and could get some playing time in the opener.

According to reports, all three took snaps with the first team Friday in the final scrimmage of preseason.

Paterno hasn't commented on the quarterback situation, or anything involving the Lions, since the team's Aug. 12 media day. He is expected to make his next comments Tuesday when he holds the first of his weekly teleconferences.

Freshman Paul Jones, a fourth candidate for the starting quarterback position at the beginning of preseason practice, has been asked to redshirt, sources have confirmed. Paterno has been mum on the subject but the depth chart listed him at fourth string, a strong indication that he will sit out the year.

Whoever starts at quarterback will be asked to succeed Daryll Clark, who led the Nittany Lions to a 22-4 record the last two seasons and set numerous school passing and total offense records. He also will have one game to prepare before Penn State heads to Alabama for a nationally televised Sept. 11 meeting against the No. 1 Crimson Tide.

There were a few changes on the depth chart from the one that appeared before the start of preseason.

Diminutive sophomore Devon Smith, perhaps the fastest Lion, has moved to No. 1 at a wide receiver spot, supplanting senior Brett Brackett. Redshirt freshman Garry Gilliam took over at tight end after Andrew Szczerba missed time with a back injury. Junior Chaz Powell, who moved from wide receiver to the defensive backfield in the spring, has vaulted over sophomore Stephon Morris at right cornerback.

At defensive end, sophomore Pete Massaro, a Marple-Newtown graduate who missed all of last season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, was running third team on the right side behind Eric Latimore and Sean Stanley.

In addition to Bolden, freshmen who are on the depth chart are No. 2 tight end Kevin Haplea, third-team left defensive end Kyle Baublitz, and third-team outside linebacker Khairi Fortt.