Rob Bolden shone in his first start at quarterback for the Nittany Lions.

The first true freshman to start a Penn State season-opener since 1910, Bolden completed 20-of-29 passes for 239 yards in an impressive début Sept. 4 against Youngstown State.

But a much more challenging opponent awaits Bolden and the Nittany Lions on Saturday, when the squad travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face defending BCS national champion Alabama.

“We realize we’re in a tough situation,” coach Joe Paterno said. “Alabama is a very, very good football team.

“We’re going to play before 100,000 fans with a freshman who has never really been in that kind of situation. It’s going to be an interesting afternoon, but hey, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Crimson Tide handily defeated San Jose State, 48-3, in its opener on Sept. 4.

Saturday’s contest is the first time since 2007 that Penn State will play the No. 1 ranked team in the country, and if the Nittany Lions beat Alabama, it will be the first time since 1990 that Paterno’s team beat a top-ranked school.

While playing against last year’s national champions is a daunting task, Paterno said he wants his players to embrace the magnitude of the game and have fun.

“We’ve got to practice hard, get ourselves ready to go down and play the best we know how to play, and have a little fun,” he said. “I try to tell our guys you only get to play so many games of this nature in a college career; you might as well enjoy them.”

Bolden wasn’t the only Big Ten quarterback who made a splash in his first career start.

Michigan’s Denard Robinson led the Wolverines to an opening win against Connecticut, setting school records in total offense (383 yards) and rushing yards by a quarterback (197) en route to earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.

The Wolverines will turn to Robinson for another strong performance when the squad heads to South Bend, Ind., for a Saturday contest against Notre Dame.

Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez praised the sophomore quarterback’s improved decision-making and his development as a signal caller.

“The difference now is that he understands the concepts offensively we want to do and he really understands the defensive coverages and concepts he’s going against,” Rodriguez said. “I think that’s probably his biggest development … That maturation is coming with experience, and I was pleased to be able to see that [on Sept. 4 against Connecticut].”

Gophers look to move past tragic family death

Minnesota fullback Jon Hoese played the season-opening contest with more on his mind than football.

Days before the squad’s game against Middle Tennessee State, Hoese’s father, Terry Hoese, suffered a stroke.

The senior fullback chose to play in the first game, and had one of the best games of his college career, scoring three touchdowns and recovering a fumble in a 24-17 win over the Blue Raiders.

Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster said Hoese is loved by all of his teammates. He joined the team as a walk-on and has worked his way up to be an elected captain on the team.

“One of the most inspiring moments I’ve ever had in sports is giving Jon Hoese the game ball after that game knowing that ball was going to his father, Terry,” Brewster said.

Tragedy struck again on Sept. 7, when Hoese’s father passed away. Brewster said he is unsure whether the senior fullback will play in this Saturday’s game against South Dakota.

“That whole family has meant so much to the Gophers, and it’s just a tough time,” Brewster said.