Following last weekend's game, Jordan Norwood stepped off the field with eyes that looked more demonic -- or at least seemed more like a photo from a bad, red-eyed Kodak -- than human.

And, come tomorrow, don't be surprised to see those eyes again. Thanks to red contact lenses, of course.

"They're Nike contacts I wear. They're supposed to reduce the glare a little bit," Norwood said in all seriousness, before cracking a joke.

"I need something to look a little bit intimidating, so I throw those on."

At 5-foot-11, 169 pounds -- "170 on a good day" -- you couldn't blame opposing teams, even Division I-AA Youngstown State, for overlooking the wideout. He's been told he looks 15, was labeled a one-star high school prospect and came to Penn State weighing 32 pounds less than kicker Kevin Kelly.

Even now, after gaining 26 pounds in three years, 107 of Penn State's 108 football players weigh more than Norwood. Only sophomore cornerback Devin Fentress weighs less, tipping the scales around 165 pounds.

"I practiced with [Norwood] for the last two years, and I've seen what Jordan can do," cornerback Justin King said. "He might be small-framed, but the guy can run routes and catch the football."

There's no debate about that statement. Norwood is statistically head-and-shoulders above the other wideouts with 13 catches and 152 yards this season (Derrick Williams is second with six receptions for 61 yards). The last time a Penn State receiver even caught 13 passes in two games was in Nov. 2003 when Maurice Humphrey collected 15 against Northwestern and Ohio State.

So, when teammates decided to give him a hard time about his skinny, baby-faced appearance, Norwood just smiled.

"I look younger than everyone else. It doesn't bother me," he said. "Some of the guys on the team rag on me every once in a while, but it's not really a big deal. I got over it."

King said the good-natured teasing doesn't happen as much anymore, though, simply because "the people that made fun of him -- he made them look stupid in practice" by running circles around them.

But it's not just the raw talent he possesses or the hard work that Norwood puts in, it's also the blue-collar attitude and fearlessness he displays when he runs routes over the middle.

Whenever a guy has to take a few hits from athletes almost 100 pounds heavier week in and week out, it's bound to be painful -- even if that guy happens to be wearing red contacts.