Did Robert Bolden Tell Paterno He Was Going To Transfer Before The Outback Bowl?

On Jan. 1, 2011, Penn State Football went backwards, not forwards.

The University of Florida—with four key players out—was there for the taking.

But while joyful things are hoped for and expected, Penn State Nation (well, since 2009 anyway) has been more or less let down.

Matt McGloin was absolutely awful. He had the chance to win the game for the boys with the ball on the Gators 20 with under a minute—and he threw a pick. It wasn't his first of the game. We could forgive that. It was his FIFTH.

Five interceptions, and the offensive coordination team didn't bother taking McGloin out. Don't get me wrong, I like Galen Hall and I respect Jay Paterno as a person. But for crying out, why wouldn't you take out McGloin when he so obviously sucked?

He was throwing into coverage all day and missing easy throws that could have resulted in Nittany Lion roars rather than Gator chomps.

I was told by a Penn State alum that all decisions go through Joe Paterno. Should we be blaming our octogenarian icon for a geriatric decision, or should we go with the line that most Penn State fans go with: "Heck, they took away coaching from Paterno nearly a decade ago. Let's blame his son and Hall!"

Whatever the call was, it was entirely incorrect.

For me, there can only be one reason: Rob Bolden had already told his blue and white coaches that he was going to transfer (heck, South Carolina could do with a quarterback!) and there was no point in playing Bolden in a marquee game.

Otherwise, the decision to keep McGloin in the game—when before, a bad quarterbacking performance has gotten quarterbacks at Penn State thrown out quicker this year—wasn't even stupid. It was stunning.