It tastes that much sweeter when you've got to work for it that much harder.

In his senior year, Nebraska right cornerback DeJuan Groce has arrived as he wanted to, by tormenting offenses and causing wide-spread panic among punt coverage teams.

Last year, he showed some of the flash and dash that make him one of the Big 12's most dangerous players. Yet his totals of three interceptions and one punt return for a touchdown were not satisfying enough.

This year, he has made people notice -- and change their game plans.

"At least you don't have to throw at him," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said, "but you do have to kick to him."

Every time a team has done that this year, it has not turned out well at all.

Groce has returned the ball 10 times for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

"He is a great punt returner," Paterno said.

"He is probably as good as we have played against in a long time."

You can't throw at Groce without trepidation. He has four picks through three games and has returned them for 26 yards.

"I remember one play he ran down a post and made a great play on the interception," Penn State quarterback Zack Mills said.

Mills was asked if Groce was as good as the Miami Hurricanes' defensive backs that smothered Penn State last season. His reply: "He is as good if not better."

Groce leads Nebraska in all-purpose yards, having racked up 277 already. He is tied for third on the team in most points scored.

Penn State is so conscious of him, they did extra work on punt coverage during practice.

At least one football analyst thinks Penn State has reason to worry, and he would know.

Tom Osborne, former Nebraska coach and current Congressman, said that Nebraska's special teams have accounted for a "10 to 20 point swing" in each of the 'Huskers' three wins thus far this season.

"When a game is tight like this, the difference is turnovers and small things," Osborne said.

"Stuff like the kicking game or officials' calls."

Groce is not just the flashy returner or corner with speed, a la Deion Sanders. He can be physical too, and his speed gives him the ability to be in place for the big hit.

That characteristic, and the fact that he is a Cleveland native, made many think Groce was a shoo-in for the Big Ten.

"I surprised a lot of people [by not going to Ohio State]," Groce said.

"A lot of people thought I was going to be in the Big Ten and they were asking me why I chose Nebraska."

The main reason for that was Nebraska head coach Frank Solich, who made a special recruiting trip to Groce's high school.

There seems to be some confusion on the Penn State side as to what tactic to use against Groce.

Paterno and Mills both indicated that the team will try, at least in part, to throw away from Groce.

Wide receiver Tony Johnson, who probably won't match up with Groce as much as senior reciever Bryant Johnson, said Penn State won't shy away from covering the speedy and athletic Groce at all.

"I think the coaches think that we have good receivers, a quarterback that can get it to them and a line that can block.

"We're not afraid of any cornerback. We're not going to back down. We're going to go out there and make play after play after play."

Which is what Groce has already been doing all season.