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Penn State Football: O'Brien Confirms Bill Belton To Replace Silas Redd As Starting RB

Sophomore Bill Belton will step in as the starting running back at Penn State, Nittany Lions coach Bill O'Brien has confirmed.

By Jose Romero
April 21, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tailback Bill Belton (5) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half during the spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-US PRESSWIRE
April 21, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tailback Bill Belton (5) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half during the spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Christy-US PRESSWIRE

The successor to the departed Silas Redd as the Penn St. Nittany Lions' starting running back will be sophomore Bill Belton, coach Bill O'Brien has confirmed.

A 5-foot-10-inch, 202-pound tailback from Sicklerville, N.J., Belton had 13 carries for 65 yards over the final three games of his freshman season. While he does not have a ton of experience, Belton emerged as the top candidate for the starting job during Penn State's fall camp.

Belton has big shoes to fill; Redd, who transferred to the USC Trojans, rushed for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Belton was a dual-threat quarterback in high school and is a converted college wide receiver who has been used out of the Wildcat formation at Penn State.

Penn State will have plenty of new faces playing key roles this season, as multiple contributors transferred away from the school following severe sanctions imposed by the NCAA as a result of the Jerry Sandusky investigation.

For more on Penn State football, check out Black Shoe Diaries.