Larry Johnson likes to downplay any talk concerning the Heisman Trophy.

He might be the only one in State College.

As the Penn State football team reflects on a strong 9-3 regular season and waits to find out where and whom they'll be playing on New Year's Day, Happy Valley is awash in Heisman mania.

"He's set rushing record after rushing record," said Elizabeth Scelza (junior-English). "An invitation to the ceremony would be the only honorable way to acknowledge Larry, Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program."

Johnson, a fifth-year senior who played for State College High School, served mainly in a reserve role and on special teams during his first three seasons before getting his chance as the full-time tailback this season. He's made the most of it; when Johnson rushes for more than 100 yards, the Nittany Lions are a perfect 9-0. When he doesn't, they are 0-3.

All season long, Johnson has deferred the credit to his offensive line, who he regularly takes out for dinner. He's said the Heisman doesn't matter to him, but it's been evident that, despite his fiery demeanor, he's thoroughly enjoying his unparalleled season.

And so is the rest of the town.

"This is something I was expecting, maybe others didn't see it, but as his brother, I knew he could do something like this," said wide receiver Tony Johnson, Larry's younger brother. "All he needed was a chance."

Johnson was considered to be an outside shot for the trophy that goes to college football's most outstanding player until the last month and a half of the season, when he rushed for a scintillating 1,396 yards in his last six games, five of them Penn State wins.

Chants of "Lar-ry John-son" echoed through Beaver Stadium during Saturday's Michigan State game, and a multitude of banners adorned the crowd, but students aren't the only ones getting into the Heisman craze.

"My vote goes to Larry!" wrote Penn State President Graham Spanier (who does not have an official Heisman vote) in an e-mail. "I don't have any way of assessing his chances, but he certainly should be noticed and given every consideration."

Lecturer in English Paul Stegner believes Johnson is a deserving candidate "especially given his recent outstanding performances and the fact that the majority of the 2,000-yard [single-season] rushers have won the Heisman."

Johnson has also been making waves on www.voteheisman.com, a site that allows fans to select a winner that will receive one official Heisman vote. Last week, he went from not even being listed in the top five to second place behind Iowa quarterback Brad Banks.

"Anyone who rushes for 2,000 yards deserves it," said Joe McGrady (senior-political science). "At the beginning of the season, I didn't think he deserved it, but he's just come on more and more every week."