Penn State Notes: Hackenberg, Belton get heated on sideline

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - An illustration of the frustration that Penn State experienced Saturday during its 29-6 loss to Northwestern came early in the third quarter, when Christian Hackenberg and Bill Belton yelled at each other on the sideline.

Hackenberg had just one-hopped a third-and-10 pass in the left flat to a wide-open Belton at the Wildcats 20. Belton, a senior running back from Winslow Township High, fielded the throw and spiked it to the ground in disgust. After the players reached the sideline, television cameras caught them exchanging words.

"Bill and I expect the best out of each other, and that's why I love having him as a teammate," Hackenberg said. "I think that's just one of those things. We're fine. There's absolutely nothing held against that. But it's the emotions in the game."

Belton was unavailable for comment.

Coach James Franklin said he did not see the disagreement but will address it at Sunday's team meeting.

"Football is an emotional game played by passionate people," he said.

Northwestern cornerback Matthew Harris collided with Hackenberg on a third-quarter play and stayed down for about 10 minutes before leaving the field on a cart. As he rode off to an ovation from the crowd, Harris gave them a thumbs-up.

The Wildcats said Harris suffered an upper-body injury and departed with his team for Chicago.

Penn State starting linebacker Nyeem Wartman was seen wearing a cast and a sling on his right arm during pregame warm-ups, an unexpected sight since Franklin does not comment on injuries. "There is no doubt we missed Nyeem," he said. "He'll be back for our next game [Oct. 11 at Michigan]." With Wartman out, Jason Cabinda became the eighth true freshman to play this season for Penn State and finished second on the team with eight tackles.

Northwestern senior safety Ibraheim Campbell, a graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy, played in the first half but sat out the second because of a lingering hamstring injury.