Mills has gone from unknown backup on an 0-4 squad to the hottest player on a team that has won three straight and has Nittany Lion fans in an uproar.

Youthful autograph-seekers aren't the only ones lauding Mills with attention.

He's received numerous e-mails and phone calls, and has been the inspiration for a great deal of artwork below the railing of the student section.

"Someone pointed them out to me," Mills said of the banners, the likes of which read "It's Mills-er time" or "Zack Attack." "I can't believe someone would actually do something like that, but it's kind of flattering."

As for the phone calls, Mills recalled one instance where he picked up the phone and heard an abundance of giggling in the background. He recognizes his sudden celebrity status, but isn't yet letting it go to his head either.

"It has been a whirlwind," he said. "To go from no one knowing you to getting a lot of recognition — you just have to take it in stride. It's just another part of the game you have to deal with."

The qualities that make Mills a fan favorite — especially with State College's female population — include his shy, soft-spoken demeanor and somewhat of a sheepish smile, but make no mistake about what has launched Ijamsville, Md.'s son into the limelight — his play.

Not only has Mills thrown for 280 yards and two touchdowns in each of the Lions' last two games, he's also the team's lea3ing rusher during that span, with 208 yards and two more scores. Even more important than Mills' gaudy statistics is the way he's ignited an offense that had been stuck in first gear the first half of the season.

"He has been able to make some big, clutch plays for us," said Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. "He finds people and gets the ball to them."

The freshman's efforts haven't gone unnoticed throughout the Big Ten. Mills was named the conference's Player of the Week following the Ohio State game, and he's turned the head of at least one opposing coach.

"I'm really, really impressed with him," said Illinois' Ron Turner, whose 7-1 Illini will host Mills this weekend. "When they need a critical play, he finds ways to get it done. When they need a play, he doesn't miss."

Mills seems to have a grasp on the fleeting nature of success. He realizes that all he's accomplished in the last three weeks won't mean much if he doesn't perform well the rest of the season.

"It's been a good ride so far but I really can't take the time to look back at it," he said. "Once you do that, you're setting yourself up for a downfall."

Not a bad outlook on things for someone who has only been on campus for three semesters. But really, which does he prefer — "Zack Attack" or "General Mills?"

"It doesn't matter to me," Mills chuckled, pausing briefly, then adding, "I'd prefer people just calling me Zack."