Mothers have always advised their children to live their lives one day at a time and get the most out of it. However, as the children grow up, the pressures of life as we know it tend to take their toll, pushing them to live faster and work harder until they either become insensitive or break under the pressure. Very few ever get a second chance, and even fewer get a third.

Tom Bill is one of the lucky ones. The quarterback returns to the Lions this fall after two severely shortened seasons, hoping the third time around will be the charm.

"I feel great just being around the team, to be a part of the whole program again," Bill said. "I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can go out and have a great year."

Almost one year ago today, Bill was the Lions' starting quarterback, apparently making a solid comeback from a shortened 1988 season that ended after three games with a dislocated kneecap. On Sept. 16, 1989, Bill had his best performance as Penn State's starting quarterback during a 42-3 win against Temple. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 192 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Two days later, Coach Joe Paterno suspended Bill for a violation of team policy following an alcohol-related incident. He came back to make appearances in the final four games of the season. This past spring he withdrew from the University to voluntarily enter an alcohol rehabilitation program.

"Coming back to the team was one of my goals (during the rehabilitation period)," Bill said. "I was trying to get well for myself, but I also wanted to be back with the team. I knew I had one more year left and I had every intention of coming back."

"Tom is an absolutely great guy," tailback and tri-captain Leroy Thompson said. "The team has been rallying around him in spite of everything that has happened."

Bill was true to his word about rejoining the team. The Flemington, N.J. native is back and looking as good as, if not better than ever. As the season begins today, the question now becomes what role he will fill for the Lions this year.

At the moment, it appears as though junior Tony Sacca has a lock on the starting job. But how long he stays there is anybody's guess. Over the past two years, he has been less than consistent.

Paterno is looking for a quarterback who can average a 50-55 percent completion rate. Sacca gave him only 40.9 percent last season. Over the six games Bill played in, he tallied a 48.9 percent completion rate.

In 1988, Bill had an excellent start. He went 36-for-68 (52.9 percent) for 476 yards and three touchdowns before the knee injury.

"I have always seemed to do well, then screw it up somehow," Bill said.

As for Sacca, he did show some flashes of brilliance last season, particularly against Brigham Young in the Holiday Bowl, where he connected on 10-of-20 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

But there were games on the other end of the spectrum, specifically Boston College (4-for-15) and West Virginia (2-for-13). And in this year's Blue-White game, Sacca was sporadic on the field. He completed 10-of-24 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, but threw four interceptions.

Still, he is the starter and Bill the backup signal caller.

"Tom Bill does fit in," Paterno said. "We have to treat him as if he's over his illness. He's very, very conscientious in doing what he's been asked to do. I think that's going to be an interesting contest."

"Right now it's Tony's job and I'm just going in there every day and every snap I take I'm doing the best I can," Bill said. "I can't really worry about what the coaches are saying, all I can do is worry about how I'm playing and how the team's doing when I'm in there. I guess things will work out for themselves. Whatever happens, I'll have to accept it."

So Bill may still have the edge, if attitude has anything to do with it. If the past few months have taught him anything, it is to slow down and relax, and that life is far too short to be single-minded in the pursuit of any one goal.

During his period of rehabilitation, Bill had time to reflect on his life and to work on improving his self-esteem. He said he learned how to like himself again.

"It was tough in the beginning, especially with all the publicity," Bill said. "But in the last few months of my life things have really turned around for me and I'm really happy with myself (now). I can look myself in the mirror every day and feel good about myself. I like what I see and I feel good about that.

"I was miserable for a little while, and I figured out that I needed some help."

Since the beginning of the preseason, Paterno has claimed that the keystone of his team must be leadership, especially since the Lions have such a small senior group. Bill's newfound patience and dedication may make him the ideal team leader, whether he becomes starting quarterback or not.

"I came to Penn State to play, not to sit on the bench," Bill said. "If I get my chance I think I could do the job. I'm pulling for Tony, I hope he does well. But on the same point, I hope I can get in there and do well myself. I think I can be a leader for the team."

Some of his teammates, however, already feel he is established as a leader despite his problems.

"Tom is a great leader," tailback Richie Anderson said. "His presence out there speaks for itself. We were very positive to (his return) and we are all very supportive of him."

In addition to his teammates, the Lions' coaching staff, especially Paterno, has been behind him 100 percent because everyone believes in his abilities as a player and as a person, Bill said.

"Tommy took on the role of sinner for a while," Paterno said. "But now he is on course to prove something. It's a great thing to see."

And Bill feels that if he keeps going the way he is, he will prove something. He'll prove that hard work and a cool head will always win out over stress.

Bill has learned that he doesn't have to succumb to the pressures related to being a big-time football school's starting quarterback -- and to just take life one day at a time.

"On the field, I'm working as hard as last year," Bill said. "Physically, I feel great. It's just that mentally, I have a lot clearer head this year. I don't have a lot of other things to worry about. I just go out there every day and think about the football. I'm enjoying it, really having a good time and maybe taking it a little looser this year."