The competition is essentially between Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin. Bolden, who tried to transfer earlier this offseason but wasn’t granted a release from his scholarship, didn't fare too well in the spring game. He threw five passes and didn’t complete any, throwing one pick. He says he’s still not sure whether he will transfer. Bolden, who started the first seven games of his freshman season in 2010 said he might not think seriously about transferring until after the April 29 end to the semester. He said he's "all-in" with the Lions for now.

Meanwhile, McGloin, who replaced Bolden midway through last season, completed five passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. McGloin, a junior, didn’t exactly close last season well. In the 37-24 Outback Bowl loss to Florida, he threw five interceptions after only being picked off four times in 174 passing attempts during the regular season. He finished 17 of 41 for 211 yards and one touchdown.

Two other quarterbacks technically are in the competition. Kevin Newsome completed 3 of 7 passes for 22 yards in the spring game, and Paul Jones failed to connect on his only attempt. But Paterno said before the game that he's "99 percent sure" the starter will be Bolden or McGloin, both of whom have elevated their play this spring.

Overall Penn State is expected to have 16 returning starters (7 offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams) back from last year’s 7-6 team. The Nittany Lions, who are 28/1 to win the national title at Bodog, open the 2011 regular season against Indiana State on Sept. 3 before hosting Alabama the next week.

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