LT() 16 I MONDAY, SEPT. 13, 2010 Penn State quarterback Robert Bolden (1) attempts a pass while facing pressure from Alabama defensive tackle Luther Davis (96). Bolden threw for 144 yards and two interceptions Bolden to move on past 'Bama By Andrew J. Cassavell COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER TUSCALOOSA, Ala. A deject ed Rob Bolden walked off the field Saturday through the visitor's tun nel as the entire Alabama student section chanted, "We just beat the hell outta you." Exiting Bryant-Denny Stadium to the chorus of Alabama's victory song, "Rammer Jammer," wasn't quite the same post-game experi ence the true freshman quarter back experienced in his first start when he left Beaver Stadium to admiration from fans and media alike after picking apart Youngstown State's secondary last Saturday. Lions not quite ready for big time By Nate Mink USCALOOSA, Ala. You couldn't help being impressed - town, the team lived up to their billing, and you sensed it was too overwhelm ing, too much for this young foot ball team to absorb. MY OPINION Not in a town where the team logo is painted in the middle of an intersection, where fans get dressed up for a rock concert. Call it the Rolling Tide "High Tide and Green Grass" Walk down the main strip across from Bryant-Denny , Stadium and on your left and right are Colonial-style Prat hous es with massive green lawns gated off by a black, spiked steel fence. Wake up, look out your bed room window, see the set of ESPN's College Gameday. Leave Upperclassmen absent in loss By Audrey Snyder COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER TUSCALOOSA,AIa.—Heading into Saturday's game against the defending national champions, questions were raised as to how freshman quarterback Rob Bolden would hold up in his first collegiate road game. As Bolden took the field in front of a jam packed Bryant- Denny Stadium, the freshman showed his usual poise. Despite deafening noise and constant chants of "Roll Tide," Bolden went under center and looked relaxed as he tried to get the ball to his veteran wide receivers. It wasn't Bolden, but rather the upperclassmen who did very lit tle to help Penn State stay in the game. Usually reliable targets like Chaz Powell and Graham Zug committed mistakes as Powell fumbled on a promising drive and Zug dropped a much needed third down conversion. But despite the disparity in out comes and in Bolden's final stat lines, following Saturday's loss the Penn State locker room was full of similar praise for the freshman quarterback, who struggled in his first real test under center, going 13-for-29 for 144 yards and two interceptions Saturday. "He handled most of it really well," quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said. "He was not in awe of anything. We just had a couple of plays we needed to make." Bolden, who last week became the first true freshman in the Joe Paterno era to start a season at quarterback, was hit as he threw both interceptions, each of which out the back door, you're practi cally making the Walk of Champions, where players and coaches enter the stadium through a tunnel of crimson and white. From there, the energy poured into the stadium and never let up. How could it? The pregame rap playlist was a bit of an odd pairing for girls in hound stooth-patterned cocktail dress es and boys in slacks, ties and a forehead full of hair. But when 101,821 mix in a Roll-Tide-Roll chant during the chorus of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," when the birthday Bear's voice booms over the loudspeaker, the lid is ready to burst off. Season this crowd with nostal gia, highlights of the national championship seasons, including a certain goal line stand on New Year's Day 1979, and the stadium flavor has an extra kick "Wild Horses" `Barna has them up and down See LIONS, Page 14 "We definitely didn't make it easier for him," wide receiver Derek Moye said. "We've gotta make the play, make some catch es for him, get rid of the mental mistakes and not recognizing coverages." Moye said he went up to Bolden after the game and told the freshman that the wide receivers had a bad game, but not to worry that they will start making catches for him. Throw the running game into the mix where senior Evan Royster rushed for just 32 yards behind an offensive line that can't decide on a left guard and it's no wonder the Lions were held with out a touchdown for the first time since a 2007 game against Michigan. However, the veterans on defense didn't do much to help the cause either. The linebacking corps, which was supposed to be one of the team's strongest position groups, • w rusi. halted a Penn State drive in Alabama territory. On the first, Bolden could have held onto the ball and taken a sack, ensuring a field goal attempt, and on the second, wide receiver Derek Moye continued on a go-route, while Bolden threw as if he expected a 10-yard hitch. Bolden, who was off-limits to the media as freshmen typically are at Penn State, also fumbled two snaps both of which were recovered by the Nittany Lions. But despite the miscues, running back Stephfon Green said he was thoroughly impressed with the way the freshman managed the huddle, and he put none of the Chloe Elmer/Collegian Stephfon Green runs the ball on Saturday. had several missed tackles, resultirig in Tide running back Trent Richardson rushing for 144 yards. Richardson became the first player to eclipse 100 yards against this defense since lowa's Shonn Greene did so in 2008. "As a defense we prided ourself on being physical and making plays," senior Chris Colasanti said of the snapped streak "We just gotta bounce back, get better from here, be more physical and get ready to play" Day to remember Offense: wide receiver Derek Moye When Powell's fumble hit the ground, Moye didn't waste any time trying to get the ball back. Alabama's Robert Lester scooped up the ball and took it 75 yards down the field, but just as Lester approached the goal line, Moye made a crucial strip. While the Lions lost a lot of field S"^ MISENT, Page 14. blame for the loss on Bolden's shoulders. "The kid played good," Green said. "He kept his poise, wasn't rat tled, nothing. You guys saw that he played with poise and that he played with confidence. He threw the ball where it needed to be. We have to come up and we need to make plays for him." With time winding down in the game, Green made sure Bolden was aware of his solid perform ance. When Bolden was removed at the 7:28 mark in the fourth quarter for backup Kevin Newsome, Green was seen on the sideline talking in Bolden's ear. Run game still stagnant By Brendan Monahan COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Pounding his hands togeth er while answering ques tions, Stephfon Green made his frustration known after Saturday's game. On two consecutive week ends, the rushing game failed to establish consisten cy. Made up of a three-deep backfield, the running backs didn't do much to help fresh man quarterback Rob Bolden, who had to run an almost single-faceted offense on Saturday against Alabama. Evan Royster and Green both averaged under four yards per carry in the loss, which was due in part to the offensive line's per formance. "We just had a little slip up in this game," Green said. "We are going to watch the film in this game, and they just woke up a sleeping giant." Report Card: Alabama 24, Penn State 3 POSITION Quarterbacks C+ Running backs D Wide receivers B- Offensive line D+ Defensive line D Linebackers F Secondary D. Special teams B THE DAILY COLLEGIAN told him, 'You keep your head, this is not your fault,' Green said, "You came into a hostile environ ment as a freshman and you played your behind off. That's exactly what he did." Responding to Alabama's first touchdown, Bolden looked poised, highlighting a methodical drive with a perfectly placed 31-yard fade pass to Moye on the far side line. But the drive ended abruptly when Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower broke through the line and hit Bolden, who lofted a poor ly thrown ball to the 3-yard line. It was picked by defensive back Will Lowery, and the Crimson Tide See BOLDEN, Page 14. The rushing attack will have to wait another week to prove itself. So far this season, Penn State's veteran tailbacks have deferred to Bolden. The lack of a Penn State run game caused Bolden to operate from many long yardage situations. Bolden, whom the Alabama defense pressured often, threw the ball in eight third-and-long situations out of 14 total Nittany Lion third downs. Penn State quarter backs coach Jay Paterno said the Lions passed more in the second half because they wanted to find a quick way back into the game, but the running game had strug gled up to that point. Between Royster and Green the two veteran running backs expected to produce most at the position this sea son Royster led with 3.2 yards per carry at the half. "We have to come up. We See RUN GAME, Page 14. COMMENTS Robert Bolden threw two pivotal INTs and his numbers weren't great, but he handled the atmosphere and noise well for a freshman. Evan Royster averaging 36 yards per contest. Freshman Silas Redd may be the best option in the backfield right now. Offense found a niche for Devon Smith with short out routes. Unit still missed blocks and dropped a few passes. No one seems to want to claim the left guard spot and the line hasn't opened many holes. That said, no sacks allowed in two games. Trent Richardson had holes to run through all evening and he capitalized. The unit put almost no pressure on Greg McElroy. Terrible tackling. The unit's best tackler on the evening, Chris Colasanti, was fourth on the defense in tackles. That says a lot. McElroy makes confused defensive backfields look bad. The group still has no interceptions and didn't even come close on - Saturday. Collin Wagner is now 4-for-4 this year and the Lions limited damage on returns. Punter Anthony Fera could've gotten more length
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