Bolden to start at quarterback for Penn State in TicketCity Bowl

DALLAS - The stage will be set Monday for Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden as - after a two-month hiatus from a meaningful snap - the sophomore will get a shot to start and finish the TicketCity Bowl.

On Sunday, Penn State interim coach Tom Bradley officially ruled out starting quarterback Matt McGloin for Monday's game against Houston after McGloin did not pass concussion tests needed to clear him for action. Walk-on Shane McGregor will serve as Bolden's backup.

"I think he's done very well," Bradley said of Bolden at the TicketCity Bowl news conference, where he shared the podium with Houston coach Tony Levine. "He's done a great job with command of the huddle, getting prepared for this game."

Penn State's quarterback play has been a topic of discussion for the last two seasons. Neither McGloin nor Bolden played particularly well this season, but McGloin played well enough to capture the starting job eight weeks into the season.

Bolden struggled this season, completing just 42 percent of his passes and throwing four interceptions to just one touchdown.

He started the first seven games of the season, splitting time with McGloin, but has made just 11 pass attempts since Oct. 15. McGloin started the season's final five games, with Bolden only playing a quarter in a Oct. 29 win over Illinois and in garbage time in the loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 26.

Bradley said not having a quarterback rotation like earlier in the season should help Bolden on Monday. With McGloin out, Bolden won't have to look over his shoulder after an errant pass or a missed read.

"I think knowing that this is going to be his show tomorrow, that's really helped him," Bradley said.

Wide receiver Derek Moye said Bolden's play has improved throughout bowl practices, in which he has taken a majority of the first-team snaps in McGloin's absence. McGloin has not practiced since Dec. 17, when he was involved in a postpractice scuffle with wide receiver and former West Catholic High School standout Curtis Drake.

Some of the burden on Bolden would be removed if Penn State can establish an effective running game with tailback Silas Redd, who said he is back to 100 percent following a collarbone injury, and keep Houston's prolific offense off the field.

But Moye acknowledged that Bolden will have to play well for Penn State to end its tumultuous season with a victory.

"I don't think it will be too much different, honestly," Moye said of Bolden starting instead of McGloin. "We run the plays that we run no matter who's the quarterback. I don't think both guys are as different as some people make them out to be."