Bolden shines in debut (Rivals.com)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.(AP) Rob Bolden stood tall in the pocket, displayed a rocket arm and made some clutch throws - a promising debut for the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener in coach Joe Paterno’s 45 years on the sideline at Penn State.

Bolden passed for 239 yards and two touchdowns, Chaz Powell tiptoed down the sideline on a 100-yard kickoff return to open the second half and the 19th-ranked Nittany Lions routed FCS school Youngstown State 44-14 on Saturday.

Walking the sideline in his familiar khakis and jet black sneakers, the 83-year-old Paterno notched his 395th career victory, the most among major college coaches.

A lot of the credit goes to Bolden, an 18-year-old freshman born in 1992.

Bolden barely beat out two returning sophomores for the job in a decision so tough for JoePa he didn’t name a starter until Wednesday night.

It turned out to be a good choice, at least against the lower-division Penguins.

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