State College is awash in Heisman Trophy talk. So is the entire Penn State football fan base.

Even Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is making his pitch.

Everyone who ever followed the Nittany Lions is debating whether or not the credentials of the tailback who is having the best statistical year in school history warrant consideration for the most recognizable individual trophy in all of team sports.

There is only one person who doesn't seem to care: Larry Johnson.

Or at least that's what he's saying.

"I think it's stupid if you ask me," Johnson said. "It's more built on who is on the No. 1 team, and who is doing what, and it's not really based on who is a great player. I think they got away from that.

"If you look at [former Wisconsin tailback] Ron Dayne and [former Texas running back] Ricky Williams, those guys earned the Heisman. You look at guys now, in the NFL, they're no where to be found. I think the Heisman committee has gotten away from deciding who is the best player at that time in college football."

It's not that Johnson doesn't want the Heisman. He's admitted that it's definitely something he would like to have, but Johnson, and basically everyone else on the team have been saying all year that this season isn't about thinking individually. He's doing all he can in interviews to show that he is still focused and humble. He is also saying that he's not thinking about rushing for 2,000 yards, which he needs 264 yards against Michigan State Saturday to do.

"I'm just trying to close out this season on a good note," he said.

Even when Johnson has talked about his individual accomplishments as a running back, he has first diverted all of the credit to his offensive line and blockers. After doing that at post-game press conferences, especially in his three-record breaking games, he typically next moves on to crediting previous Penn State tailbacks for creating the tradition of excellence.

Johnson has met most of the better known backs in the lineage. He has spoken with Blair Thomas, D.J. Dozier, Curt Warner, Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis, when they have visited, and he also met Lenny Moore, the Lions' tailback from 1953-1955 at an autograph session at the NFL Hall-of-Fame. After his days at Happy Valley, Moore went on to have a Hall-of-Fame career with the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson actually met Moore at the Hall in Canton, Ohio, when Moore was there for an autograph session. Though his 2002 season has surpassed what all of those backs have done, Johnson hasn't become any less humble when talking about them.

"I wouldn't mind if the record books don't even change in the next press media guide," Johnson said. "I don't care if they put me up there or not. It's just an honor for me to be a part of saying I've achieved something like what Lenny Moore did or what John Cappaletti or Blair Thomas or Curtis Enis. For me to say I'm in the same company of backs as those guys is really an honor in itself more than just saying I broke this guy's record or that guy's record."

There is only one time Johnson allows himself to divert even slightly from his humble, focused image. Johnson can't avoid thinking about the possibility of being in the NFL next year.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it," Johnson said. "It's definitely a dream that is still possible could come true, but I don't know. I still have to work hard. I'll be at the bottom of the barrel and have to work hard to get to the top."