Nittany Lions from Jersey state their cases

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Penn State running back Bill Belton heard the trash talk all week, and, admittedly, it was hard for him to keep his mouth shut.

But in a homecoming for 15 Penn State players from New Jersey, Saturday night's 13-10 win over Rutgers gave them something to talk about.

Belton, a native of Sicklerville, N.J., created a stir when he stated at July's Big Ten media days that he passed on Rutgers to play at a big-time college program.

The chatter between the two sides flowed since, but as Rutgers continued jawing throughout game week, Belton said the Lions made it a point to keep their heads down and not give the game any more unnecessary hype.

And yet, Belton, who scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:13 to play, couldn't help but think about the Scarlet Knights' chirping when he reached the end zone.

"They asked for a big-time game," Belton said postgame. "And they got one."

It certainly felt like one, given the buzz around High Point Solutions Stadium, stuffed with a record crowd of 53,774. Naturally, Belton and his fellow New Jersey natives on Penn State's roster felt no love in their return to the Garden State.

Among the tailgate scene outside the stadium, a banner hung listing Belton and Co. as "enemies of the state."

Linebacker Brandon Bell, of Mays Landing, N.J., offered a few chuckles at the signs, while Roxbury High's Angelo Mangiro said the frigid welcome should be taken in stride.

"You just have to take it as a compliment as a player that they know who you are and they're trying to get in your head," Mangiro said.

Penn State's New Jersey natives did more than just show up. Seven of the 15 saw time, including six starters, and a couple were standout performers.

Of course, Belton, who finished with 88 all-purpose yards, notched the deciding score, but earlier in the fourth quarter, Bell intercepted Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova.

"You know, the universe is a funny thing," Mangiro said about the New Jersey players' success.

Belton said it was somewhat ironic, but not a surprise.

"We've got a lot of good Jersey players on this team, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels that way about coming to play big-time football," Belton said. "If that was the case, we would have stayed here with them."

Belton made sure to note that he stands by his statement at Big Ten media days. But the running back, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, said he didn't mention anything to the Rutgers players when the clock hit zero.

After a week of hollow chatter, resolute silence spoke the loudest.

"They know they lost. There isn't anything to say," Belton said. "They can't talk until next year."