Bolden to seek transfer

Blue White Illustrated has confirmed that Penn State true freshman quarterback Rob Bolden intends to seek a transfer from Penn State in the coming days.

Speaking with Bolden's father, Robert Bolden Sr., on Sunday evening, the intent was resolute.

"We're just looking to get a release from Penn State," Bolden said.

According to Bolden Sr., the record-setting five interception performance of redshirt sophomore quarterback Matt McGloin on Saturday afternoon in the Outback Bowl sealed the deal on what had already been a tenuous situation.

Having become Penn State's first-ever true freshman quarterback to start the first game under Joe Paterno, and only the second in the program's history, Bolden was the Nittany Lions' unquestioned starter through the season's first six games. Off to a 3-3 start, including a discouraging loss to Illinois on Penn State's homecoming, Bolden kept his job following a bye week when the Lions traveled to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota.

Completing 11 of his first 13 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, Bolden was taken out of the game after suffering a concussion early in the second quarter.

McGloin took over, throwing an incomplete attempt on his first pass, but connected with Derek Moye for a 42-yard touchdown strike on his next attempt. He would lead the Lions to a 33-21 win, then again to a 41-31 win against Michigan a week later.

Although Bolden would start the Northwestern game the following week, he was pulled after just two possessions to start the game against the Wildcat, including his final play of the game, an 18-yard fumble.

"I completely agree with the things that Penn State did in reference to Rob and playing, but him and having some struggles, I felt it could have gone a little differently as far as him coaching him through those struggles," Bolden Sr. said. "I didn't think he should have lost his job completely. He could have been inserted into the game as well as McGloin to see if he was priogressing and learning from his mistakes.

"I feel as though things should have been a little different. The same principles that Rob basically lost his job on didn't apply."

Frustrated by not having the same opportunities to work through the same mistakes as his competitor, Bolden had already been considering a transfer before the Lions' New Year's Day date with Florida, according to Bolden Sr.

"We had talked about it and kind of had our minds made up before the game, but I talked to him about the bowl game and expressed to him that it would be a good experience for him," he said. "But once the bowl game was done, there was no doubt in my mind.

"For me to see what took place in that bowl game after talking to him about the second half of the season, things are clearly not going the way they should be."

Bolden Sr. said that he told quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno directly of the family's intentions, and had hoped to be able to find a suitable school by Tuesday of this week.

Although Bolden will still need a release from his scholarship by Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, Bolden Sr. went on to say that he had hoped to get moving on finding a new school.

"I can only hope (he'll be granted the release)," he said. "Penn State is doing what's best for Penn State and Rob is attempting to do what's best for him. It clearly does not seem as though Rob is at the forefront of what's going on here. Rather than waiting around to see what is going to happen, we made a decision. (McGloin) worked through those struggles and Rob didn't have that opportunity.

"We felt good about Penn State from the beginning. We can't knock Penn State as far as the program. The program will do what is best for the program and you can only respect that. But you would hope they would guide a kid in the right direction."

In addition to the intended transfer of Kevin Newsome, Penn State is now left with two scholarship quarterbacks for the 2011 season.