Penn State will kick off its 2011 season against Indiana State at Beaver Stadium in just days, but the offense remains without a set starting quarterback. And while that uncertainty might concern some football coaches, Joe Paterno is not one of them.
"I don't think it makes any difference," Paterno told reporters at his weekly press conference on Tuesday. "Matthew McGloin and Rob Bolden are] both going to play. We still have time. We've got three days of practice."
The coach was quick to note both Bolden and McGloin had solid offseasons and thinks the experience gained in 2010 when both saw significant playing time will benefit them in the coming year.
Overall, he's confident both can succeed if given the job.
"The quarterback situation is not one of my concerns," Paterno said.
Last season, Paterno decided not to name a starter at his first weekly press conference as well before Bolden was given the job for the opener against Youngstown State later in the week. Whether the coach will choose one before the opener again this season remains to be seen, but with the hours to kick ticking down, it's becoming increasingly unlikely.
Paterno also kept mum on possibilities at quarterback following the Indiana State game, choosing not to go into who might start against No. 2 Alabama in week two by saying his Nittany Lions are staying focused on the Sycamores at the moment.
Later on, offensive lineman Chima Okoli echoed his coach's stance on the quarterback situation, saying the selection of a starter won't change the offensive game plan much one way or the other before expressing confidence in both.
With that, it would appear that, for now, fans will have to wait a little while longer before finding out who will take the team's first snaps of 2011.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for more from Joe Paterno's press conference later on.