Blue White Illustrated

QB's transfer illustrates new approach F or obvious reasons, the news that Penn State quarterback Steven Bench was going to seek a transfer after the spring semester has big implications for the Nittany Lions' 2013 season. With Bench having bowed out, the Lions now have only two potential starting quarterbacks on their roster. Until five-star quarterback prospect Christian Hackenberg arrives in June, Penn State's first-team reps in informal workouts will belong to juco transfer Tyler Ferguson. When Hackenberg does get here, the wideouts, tight ends and running backs can start to develop some chemistry with both he and Ferguson. The possibility of a threeway battle for the starting quarterback position has been eliminated. Players and coaches know where they stand as individuals and as a team heading into the summer months. This is significant. Even though fans and media were under the impression that Bench and Ferguson were neck-and-neck throughout the spring, the reality is that Bill O'Brien regarded Bench as the team's third-string quarterback even before Hackenberg had even stepped on campus. Depth will be a concern without Bench, but any time a team finds itself having to call on its third-stringer, it has big problems. Bench's departure put a sharp focus on the contrasts between the program's past, present and future. Having been informed by O'Brien that Ferguson and Hackenberg would be receiving the first- and secondteam reps at the start of preseason practice in August, Bench and his family made an informed decision about his future in college football. Rather than entering the summer months working toward the unknown, Bench now has an opportunity to continue his career at a program that will be a better fit. It's a tough situation for all of the concerned parties, but it now has a firm resolution. There will be no prolonged battles, no infighting or choosing of sides within the team or coaching staff. Whether the decision works in Penn State's favor or not, it allows everyone involved to move forward. The second and more fascinating aspect of Bench's departure was the manner in which the news traveled. Word began to trickle out around midday on April 24 that he was indeed going to transfer. A team meeting was scheduled for later that afternoon in which Bench's departure was sure to be discussed. Rather than taking a wait-and-see approach, reacting to the news only after some media outlet made it public, Penn State got out in front of the story and was ready to go – not only with an official statement, but also with a reaction quote from O'Brien. This is not rocket science, but it illustrates O'Brien's media savvy. By being prepared, he avoided the media furor that sometimes can arise in the heat of a story like this, and, more important for Penn State, he controlled the angle from which it was portrayed. Though Bench and his father, Steve, are certainly entitled to tell their side of the story, there was a mutual respect shown by both sides that allowed Penn State to avoid what could have been a messy situation. Though Bench is not the first Penn State football player to experience the disappointment of learning he wouldn't achieve his goal, he is the latest and the most public. Rest assured, he will not be the last. As O'Brien and the Lions continue to cope with the NCAA's unprecedented sanctions, some players will continue to be disappointed to learn of their roles at Penn State and will decide to move on. They'll know, though, and for that reason alone, fans can expect less hand-wringing and indecision as the program moves forward. www.AmericanAleHouse.net 821 Cricklewood Drive, Toftrees State College Now in 2 Locations

• Cover