After the game, the question was asked whether or not he was surprised that his coach, for the second straight week, has uncharacteristically allowed him and his fellow freshmen to speak with the media following two defining wins.

"I think we kind of deserved it," wide receiver Derrick Williams said. "We're just doing what we have to, and we're having fun."

And that was about the extent of the boasting the true freshman would do for the rest of his time in the media room.

Instead of basking in the glory of his two-rushing-touchdown performance, Williams preferred to discuss the things his teammates did. Instead of talking about how he mesmerized the Golden Gophers with a blazing speed burst on a 13-yard option pitch play, he talked about how good of a job his offensive line did.

When asked if the Nittany Lions' 44-14 thrashing of Minnesota sent out a statement to the rest of the Big Ten, Williams said it wasn't a statement. Every team in the conference is good.

There seems to be a quiet confidence residing within Williams, complemented by a high level of modesty. He is quick -- almost as quick as his first step -- to talk about his teammates' success. He is hesitant to reflect on the things he has accomplished.

But at the end of the day, his team is 5-0. His decision to attend Penn State looks better each Saturday, and, to him, that's what matters most.

"It really doesn't make a difference if I touch the ball as long as our team comes out successful," Williams said.

On Saturday, Williams touched the ball plenty, in a variety of ways. He played tailback. He played receiver. He returned kicks. He even played quarterback. Rumor has it he had a hand in painting the end zone, too.

"When they recruited me they said they might slip me over to tailback, receiver or quarterback," Williams said. "I played every position in high school, so it wasn't anything new."

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said the Williams element has opened up more opportunities on offense.

"He gives a little different dimension because he has that extra step," Paterno said.

Williams touched the ball more than 10 times in the first three quarters, totaling 109 all-purpose yards on the day. Those numbers, potentially, could have been higher if not for the game being virtually over by the start of the fourth quarter.

Minnesota head coach Glen Mason said his team was fully aware of the talents Williams and other freshmen like Justin King possess.

"They're about what they look like on film, as good as publicized," Mason said.

"Joe Paterno doesn't throw around accolades at the flip of a hat, and he's talking about how talented they are and [Williams is] the most advanced freshman he's ever had and all that kind of stuff. If that doesn't get your attention, something's wrong."

And if the rest of the Big Ten doesn't notice that the Lions have a gem in Williams, then something is definitely wrong. Because of the way the Lions' staff has been using Williams in many different formations, Paterno said they'll have to be increasingly creative as the season goes on.

"Putting Williams at tailback, we will get away with that for one game," Paterno said. "We will have to come up with other things now."

But through five games, good things have happened when Williams has touched the ball. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass against Northwestern, and his play against Minnesota was a huge factor why the game wasn't very close at all.

"We have got to find ways to get him the football," Paterno said. "There is no question about that."