Ah, the tight end — the Steve Buscemi of football. He doesn't have the starring role, but nonetheless should be appreciated for the work he does. The tight end is a blue-collar player; a blocker, the guy that goes over the middle.

It's rare that a tight end will get the glory, even rarer for a backup tight end to steal the show. But as R.J. Luke proved Saturday, it happens.

Making his first career start due to an injury to starter John Gilmore, Luke made the most of the opportunity, hauling in five catches for 61 yards and helping Penn State to a 38-20 win.

"It's always been my dream to go to Penn State, to come out and have a good game," a grinning Luke said after the game. "It was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I got to be a part of it."

Quarterback Zack Mills has showed a tendency to look for the 6-foot-4 Gilmore and the 6-3 Luke this season, but he went to the big fella even more often Saturday, throwing to Luke eight times.

"They do a real good job of finding the tight end," the junior from Aurora, Ill., said. "I didn't expect to get this many balls, maybe a couple, but it was cool that they were looking for me."

Mills said following the game that he doesn't have a "go-to" receiver, but it is evident that he is comfortable throwing the ball to Luke, a former fullback who switched to tight end prior to the start of the season. He played the majority of last week's game against Ohio State after Gilmore suffered an ankle injury, but broke out Saturday.

"Luke has been a backup tight end, slotback and fullback but today he had to play tight end," said Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. "He is a good solid football player."

Prior to Saturday, Luke had received more attention this season for his actions off the field rather than on it. This summer, he and teammate TC Cosby were charged with aggravated assault following an altercation at a fraternity party. The trial date will be decided after the jury is selected next month.

Luke prefers the football brand of notoriety, but is more concerned with the outcome of the game than individual accolades.

"I'm more pumped up about us just winning, and getting things turned around," he said.

He may have had the numbers and, as he displayed on a 29-yard run and catch in the first half, the speed of a wide receiver, but it's clear that Luke still has the mindset of a tight end. When asked about the tape wrapped around his left ring finger, he explained how he'd broken it during practice.

Did it bother him during any of those five catches?

"You don't even notice it when you're playing," Luke said with a shrug.

Sounds like a blue-collar guy.