Penn State Notes: Another game, another disappointing line for Hackenberg

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The frustration continued Saturday for Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who continues to hang in behind an inexperienced offensive line while trying to make a play but has little to show for his efforts.

Hackenberg threw for a career-low 93 yards on 8-of-16 passing in the Nittany Lions' 16-14 loss to Illinois. After 11 games, he continues to take hits - two sacks against the Fighting Illini plus a big blow after a second-quarter pass that had him favoring his right leg - and some of his passes are well off-target.

It's been quite a change in fortune this season. Hackenberg has averaged just 137.5 passing yards in his last four games. In his first three contests, he averaged 361 yards.

"It's frustrating, but I think it sort of comes with the territory in terms of having to play with guys being hurt, out of position, moving people around," he said. "Guys haven't been there and done that, so we can't really rely on experience and those types of things.

"You need to be able to make sure that we can execute it. You've got to understand that there are going to be those types of ups and downs throughout the game."

Linebacker Brandon Bell (Oakcrest) watched the game from the sideline in street clothes because of a shoulder injury suffered the previous week against Temple. The Nittany Lions lost running back Bill Belton (Winslow Township) and true freshman cornerback Christian Campbell during the game with undisclosed injuries.

Belton left early in the second quarter after gaining 6 yards on six carries. A team spokesman said he didn't know if Belton suffered the injury in practice earlier in the week or on Saturday.

"Not having Brandon and Bill were a factor for us," coach James Franklin said.

Outside linebacker Nyeem Wartman slid over to Bell's spot on the other side.

"We missed Brandon a lot," Wartman said. "We missed his energy he brings and everything. I can't wait to have him back next week."

The Nittany Lions suffered an embarrassing moment that cost them three points when they failed to catch the second-half kickoff, which died in the 20-m.p.h. wind that swirled all day around Memorial Stadium.

The live ball eventually was recovered by Illinois at the Penn State 28 and set up a field goal.

Franklin said he hoped players in the second line of the kickoff return formation would have gone after the football.

"If you watch the kick, it literally went up and died and dropped straight down," he said. "Obviously, we have to do a better job with that second line and maybe fair catch that ball. We need to recover that. I think that was a freak deal, I really do."

Illinois junior defensive end Jihad Ward, a former star at Bok, had two tackles for loss, including a sack of Hackenberg, and six tackles overall.