This weekend, as students prepare for final exams, polish off semester-end papers or just get some partying out of their systems, at least one man will be skipping town.

Maybe you've heard of him by now. His initials are printed on blue signs across town. His number has shown up on jerseys a lot this fall. Oh, and he's had his picture in the papers a few times recently -- not just this rinky-dink paper, either.

LJ's headed to the Big Apple. With any luck, he'll be coming home with a certain trophy in his suitcase.

Penn State's record-breaking running back is on the guest list of a modest function at the Yale Club in New York. (He got the official invite the other night on a little cable sports show.) It's quite a storied affair, dating back to the time when the Ivy League still ruled the roost of college football.

It's been a few years since a guy from State College walked home with the prize of the evening, but we have a good feeling it might happen again this time.

First, we have to tip our hats to the stellar records of the other four candidates who are set to dress up, turn out and smile for the cameras tomorrow night. Sure, they deserve some credit. We'd be wrong not to say that, indeed, they too are in Johnson's league.

But most of us didn't get a chance to visit Iowa City, Los Angeles or Coral Gables, Fla., this season. (Maybe next year.)

We did, however, take the trek out to Beaver Stadium once or twice this season. We heard the roar. We saw the scores.

It took many Nittany Lions to bring the team back to its usual top form this year, but LJ definitely stole the show. For this year's senior fans, the image of his "2,015" will surely be a long-lasting memory.

Larry, we're pulling for you. You deserve that Heisman.