Belton: Penn State running game will break out soon

Penn State fans knew at the start of the 2014 football season that they would have to wait for the Nittany Lions to develop their running game before it became somewhat proficient.

The Lions are entering Week 4 Saturday against Massachusetts, and the fans are still waiting.

However, the advice from senior tailback Bill Belton is basically: Don't despair, we're going to get this right very soon.

"I don't think we're that far away at all," the former Winslow Township High star said Wednesday. "The breakout game, it'll come as long as we stay patient with the running game and continue to work it and continue to learn. I'm pretty sure we'll have the success that we want to have on the ground very, very soon."

Playing behind an offensive line that returned only one starter, the running game has been one of the few disappointments in the Nittany Lions' 3-0 start. They have just 227 yards rushing, which represents only 17.3 percent of their total offense.

Belton, who rushed for 803 yards last season, has only 88 yards in 34 carries (2.6 average) thus far, enough to lead the team. He had 88 yards rushing and receiving Saturday against Rutgers and scored the winning touchdown on a 5-yard run.

"We did some decent things in the running game against Rutgers," he said. "It's just a long process and we're going to get it right. The line works each day and gets better. By the time this thing's over, we're going to be back on track in the running game."

Belton has been good in the passing game, with nine catches for 114 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been sharp in the short passing game.

"We have a good quarterback in Hack," Belton said. "Having a short passing game is nothing but an extension of the run game, to be honest with you. So when we do it, we're moving the ball however we can move it."

Belton has seen his share of change at Penn State, spending his freshman season with Joe Paterno's staff and two years under Bill O'Brien before experiencing his third coaching group led by James Franklin.

Belton probably is the best pass protector among the three regular running backs. He said running backs coach Charles Huff has helped him in that area.

"It's got to be something that you want to do," the 5-foot-11, 204-pound back said. "It was tough at first, but it was something that I continually worked on each day. Ever since Coach Huff got here, we've been working on pass protection each day, so I think that helped with the improvement."

Belton's competence at picking up blitzing linebackers has been a help to Hackenberg, who ranks seventh in the nation with 1,082 passing yards.

UMass (0-3) has only three sacks in three games and its defense has allowed 218 yards per game on the ground. That could be a help to Penn State's offensive line in getting the running game untracked.

"We're just continuing to work out the kinks," Belton said. "It's going to take time to get that chemistry down and get comfortable with playing with each other. I think that we're very, very close to getting the running game going."

A "Joe Out?" A Facebook group has been created urging fans to participate in a "Joe Out" honoring longtime coach Joe Paterno in Saturday's game. The page, created by Laurie Anne Stanell, a member of the Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship, is asking fans to wear Paterno-style clothing at their homes and at tailgate parties.

@joejulesinq