Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534903
M A Y 2 0 2 5 5 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M A few weeks ago, James Franklin was asked about Penn State's conspicu- ous absence from the most promi- nent part of the burgeoning transfer mar- ket. For the entirety of the Franklin era, which predates the advent of the transfer portal and the infusion of NIL money into college football, the Nittany Lions haven't brought in quarterbacks. There's a reason for that, Franklin said. Several reasons, actually. "Number one, we're a developmental program across the board," the coach ex- plained. "We believe in that. Early on, we had to be that way. "But I think it also is ingrained in who we are, in our DNA. We're very upfront and transparent with people, and I think we've done a good job of developing that position so that the next guy up has had an opportunity to compete and win the starting job. For the most part, that's gone pretty well. "We're not opposed to using the portal if we have to, but I'm a big believer that when you can promote from within, you know what you have and you know what you're getting. The portal sometimes seems sexy, but you don't always know what you're getting until they show up on campus." Franklin's views are entirely in sync with the program's long history. Indeed, Penn State's most consequential quarter- back transfer involves a departure rather than an arrival. That departing player was Jeff Hostetler. When he headed to West Vir- ginia after the 1980 season, it resolved a back-and-forth battle and cleared the way for Todd Blackledge to take full com- mand of the offense. Sharing The Position Every program in the country was a developmental program back when Hostetler and Blackledge were at Penn State. The transfer process was deliber- ately onerous, so most players stayed at the program they had chosen coming out of high school, well aware that they would have to wait their turn. The two quarterbacks redshirted as true freshmen in 1979, then battled a third contender, Frank Rocco, who was a year ahead of them, for the starting job the fol- lowing season. Hostetler emerged victori- ous but struggled in Week 2 against Texas A&M, completing just 3 of 9 passes for 41 yards in a 25-9 victory. Against Nebraska the following week, Hostetler fumbled twice in the first quar- ter and hit just 1 of 4 passes, prompting coach Joe Paterno to send in Blackledge. The redshirt freshman didn't fare much better, completing 6 of 17 throws for 111 yards in a 21-7 loss, but it was enough to earn him the starting nod a week later at Missouri. With the Tigers up to No. 9 in the Associated Press poll, Penn State's visit to Mizzou was a big test for the young passer, and he delivered, leading the Li- ons on an 86-yard fourth-quarter drive to clinch a 29-21 victory. Due to injuries and bouts of ineffective- ness, Blackledge and Hostetler continued to share the position, with Rocco also in the mix. When Blackledge fumbled twice and tossed an interception in the first TWO'S A CROWD A consequential transfer decision set the stage for a pair of championship careers M AT T H E R B | M AT T. H E R B @ O N 3 . C O M Todd Blackledge was Penn State's backup quarterback to open the 1980 season but took over the first-team job in October and beat No. 9 Missouri in his first career start. PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS