PASADENA, Calif. -- They put heroes on a pedestal for others to worship. Set them on an elevated plateau and let them receive their due. A hero is someone who overcomes the odds, who preserves the victory and receives the opportunity to bask in the glory in the aftermath.

But there stood the fresh face of Chuck Penzenik, clutching footballs under each arm. One was a game ball presented by his teammates, the other a souvenir compliments of Oregon quarterback Danny O'Neil.

Wearing a short haircut that featured sideburns, a navy rugby that hid his body and a smile that said, "I'm just happy to be here," Penzenik waited to be introduced. After all, he was the Nittany Lions' unlikely defensive hero in the 38-20 victory over Oregon in the 81st Rose Bowl.

"That's Chuck Penzenik in the blue," said a Penn State publicist.

Who?

Number 29. An unlikely hero, but a hero no less.

A month ago, Penzenik, a 5-foot-10, 174-pound redshirt sophomore from Akron, Ohio, was just another nobody on a Lion roster filled with dozens of somebodies. He was listed fourth on depth charts at right cornerback at the beginning of the season.

He registered nine tackles (seven solo) during limited play in as many games this season, mostly on special teams.

But when the Lions arrived in Southern California in mid-December, Penzenik was told by the coaches that he would start.

At free safety.

Not only was the position new to Penzenik, but it required him to call the defensive signals.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I hadn't started a game since I was in high school, and I had never played safety. I didn't have too much confidence. I don't know why they picked me."

Penzenik didn't disappoint anyone. In his first start, replacing the injured Cliff Dingle and Kim Herring, he responded with six tackles (four solo).

Although O'Neil tore up the record books, completing 41 of 61 passes for 456 yards and two touchdowns, and slowly decimated Penn State's injury-plagued secondary, Penzenik got the final word.

Twice he stepped in front of O'Neil passes, forging his name in Rose Bowl history by tying the record for interceptions in one game.

The first came with seven minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. O'Neil threw the ball into the hands of Penzenik, who returned it from the Lions' 10 to the 23 before slipping.

"At first, I was mad at myself for slipping," he said, "but I couldn't think about it long because I had to get ready for the next play."

His second interception came at a crucial point in the game. It was late in the third quarter and only moments after the Lions had scored for a 21-14 lead. Penzenik read O'Neil's pass perfectly, leapt high at the Penn State 43 and weaved his way through 44 yards to Oregon's 13.

Three plays later, Ki-Jana Carter scored a 3-yard touchdown for a 14-point lead.

But it may be his final play that endeared Penzenik to many fans. Only 2:44 remained and the Lions held a firm lead with victory in hand when Oregon tailback Ricky Whittle scored to cut the Ducks' deficit to 38-20.

However, when Oregon lined up for a two-point conversion, the 17-point spread was on the line.

O'Neil tossed a screen to flanker Cristin McLemore in the right flat. McLemore headed for the end zone, but was shoved out of bounds at the 1-yard line by Penzenik.

Unknowingly, he endeared himself to hundreds of thousands of bettors.

Afterward he was surrounded by a crowd of reporters, while his teammates stood atop wooden boxes behind a railing. He answered questions quickly and honestly.

How does it feel?

"I can't really describe it," he said. "It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm sure I'll be knocked on my butt when it does."

Penzenik impatiently answered another question, then one more.

"I've gotta go," he said.

Then he turned and hugged his family.