It is a situation that calls for your ace. The gunslinger. A band-aid to stop the bleeding. It is the middle of a losing streak, in the middle of a losing season. The Big Ten has been relentless. Illinois will be no different today.

Justin Craig wants the ball in his loaded right arm.

His coaches second the notion.

"He's our No. 1 guy," Assistant Coach Randy Ford said.

He is also just a sophomore.

Today, Craig will be the starter as the Lions open a four-game home series against the Illini at 4 p.m.

Craig, a starting hurler for Penn State (13-22, 3-17), sits on the corner of the bed in his dorm room watching the Mets on TV. In the background are posters, three of them. From left to right there are pictures of: Dwight Gooden, Dwight Gooden and Dwight Gooden.

"He's always been my idol," Craig explains. "I like his mechanics, his live fastball and his wicked curveball."

Craig, has studied the embattled Mets righthander for many years. Watched his every move. Even wears his number 16. Not so coincidentally, Craig's pitching repertoire includes a blazing fastball, an overhand curve and a newly acquired circle change-up.

"I do see some similarities," Ford admitted. "From the wind-up, Justin has that high leg kick that Gooden uses. Justin is in control and he has three good pitches. Yes, there are some things that are very similar."

In accordance with the Gooden myth, Craig was given the opportunity to turn pro fresh out of high school. After an illustrious career at Peabody High, the Royals took a chance on the Pittsburgh native in the late rounds of the 1991 draft. It provoked some serious consideration. He mulled it with his parents and made a choice he still stands behind.

"I thought it would be best to go to school and get an education," Craig said.

As a Penn State freshman he pitched from the bullpen. It was difficult adjusting to relief roles, especially for a person who had been starting since the tender age of 8. But Craig worked out of the pen, one thing in his mind.

"I was hungry for a starting spot," Craig said. "I wanted the added pressure, it makes me a better pitcher. I want to be able to carry a team on my shoulders."

Just the way Dr. K used to do.

The way things have gone for the Lions, Atlas doesn't have shoulders broad enough to carry the team, but Craig has done a good job trying.

He is presently a hard-luck 2-3 with an ERA of 3.07. Of the team's three conference win, two were with Craig clutching the ball. Only once has he allowed more than three earned runs in a game.

"Justin is consistent, he throws strikes," Ford said. "He knows when and where to throw all three of his pitches. And he has matured. There have been games where he hasn't had his best stuff, but he's still been effective. That's the sign of a good pitcher."

In his 41 innings pitched Craig has surrendered only 32 hits while striking out 33. "He's really only had one bad outing," Ford notes.

That was against Michigan State (six earned runs in six innings). But in the rest, Craig has been solid, if not spectacular. Against Michigan, Craig went the distance, allowing only three hits and one run while striking out five. Earlier in the season, against Maine, he fired four shutout innings while whiffing a season-high eight batters. Indiana managed only one run against him.

"Those games really boost my confidence," Craig said. "They let me know that I can play with anyone."

This type of confidence, coupled with a level-headed, in-control demeanor on the mound have helped catapult Craig to prominence. Of course the role of his father and hard work can not be readily glossed over.

From an early age, Craig, the middle son of three, would go into the backyard and toss the ball with his dad, fine-tuning mechanics.

"I get a lot of my personality traits from him," said Craig, who still chats with dad after each outing. "He always taught me not to lose my poise. He taught me how to be the best."

Achieving that would come from long hours of treacherous workouts. Running. Lifting. "I had to sacrifice a lot of my social life," Craig remembers.

But to get you have to give.

Today, Craig will stand tall on the mound. The ace, hoping to dispose of Illinois. A youngster taking matters into his own hand.

If Gooden proved anything, it was that this can be accomplished. Craig wouldn't dare disagree.