TAMPA, Fla. -- Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden didn't like losing his starting job or sitting on the bench while Matt McGloin threw five interceptions Saturday in the Outback Bowl, so now the freshman plans to transfer.
"He doesn't want to be there anymore," Bolden's father, Robert Sr., told the Mirror by phone Sunday night.
"Penn State, at this point, does not seem to be the right fit for him. I guess at the end of the day, Penn State has to do what Penn State feels is best for their program, and Robert Bolden has to do the same. He decided he doesn't want to play for Penn State anymore, so he's looking to move on."
Bolden's father said the decision to transfer was made before the Outback Bowl, where Penn State lost to Florida, 37-24.
"I felt as though he should take advantage of the bowl game experience," Bolden Sr. said. "He deserves it just as well as anybody else. The bowl game just added to it, but this was a decision that was made prior to the bowl game."
McGloin became the first quarterback in PSU history to throw five interceptions in one game Saturday. Quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said the coaching staff considered benching McGloin and bringing in Bolden, but Joe Paterno decided against it.
Despite the interceptions, Joe Paterno said, "McGloin was doing pretty well."
Not getting on the field was the final straw for Bolden, who saw it as writing on the wall that he wasn't getting a fair shake at Penn State.
"It was painfully obvious," his father said.
Joe Paterno said Sunday morning that he second guessed himself about not playing Bolden much late in the regular season or the bowl game.
"Bolden is a good prospect, and he's probably a little discouraged," Paterno said about nine hours before the transfer news was first reported by Lions247.com.
Bolden started the first seven games and became the first true freshman ever to start a season opener at quarterback during the Paterno era. He struggled at times for six games, then was playing his best game at Minnesota before suffering a concussion.
Bolden sat out the next game against Michigan, and McGloin led the Nittany Lions to victory. Bolden started the following week against Northwestern, only to be pulled early on after a fumble.
"Clearly, the same principles to which he supposedly lost his job over aren't the same principles that were in place [in the Outback Bowl], to say the least," Bolden's father said.
The Mirror contacted three Penn State officials seeking comment, including Jay Paterno, but none returned a phone message Sunday night.
Bolden Sr. said his son will transfer to a Division I-A school, meaning he would have to sit out one season under NCAA transfer rules.
"I've reached out to a few different schools," the father said. "They were reluctant to talk to me due to rules and all, but clearly once he has a release that's all gonna change."
Penn State must release Bolden from his scholarship before he can transfer.
"It was pointed out to me that it's up to Joe to make that decision," Bolden Sr. said. "I don't see a reason why they should give us a problem as far as a release."
Penn State's third-string quarterback, Kevin Newsome, also is considering transferring, although that could change given Bolden's situation. Newsome was the frontrunner for the starting job during the summer but lost out to both Bolden and McGloin.
Another four-star recruit, Paul Jones, redshirted this season and is considered a challenger to McGloin for the starting job next season.
Bolden Sr. said he "won't bash Penn State," nor will his son.
"Penn State gave him a great opportunity; we're very appreciative of that," he said. "But at this point they're no longer the right fit for him."
Bolden was a four-star recruit from Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep in Michigan. He threw for 1,360 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 58 percent of his passes in 10 games.
McGloin threw for 1,548 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 54.9 percent in nine games.
Bolden Sr. noted his son had a tough time emotionally with how everything played out.
"It sucked for the most part," he said of his son's situation. "If you do what's asked of you, you're there, you strive to put forth the best effort you possibly can. I mean, at the end of the day, you gave it your best shot."
Mirror Staff Writer Cory Giger is at 949-7031.
