Adrian Arrington approached the interview table in his pads, grass still clinging to his right shoulder, and folded his hands like a businessman -- waiting for questions before offering quick, brief explanations.

He only caught a modest five receptions for a game-high 83 yards, but both were actually career-bests. He was cast aside most of the season, waiting behind Steve Breaston and the currently injured Mario Manningham.

And here he was Saturday, seizing his chance, doing little more than smiling with the limelight in his eyes. He talked about Chad Henne, Beaver Stadium and the Penn State defense -- but not of his own performance.

His coach, however, didn't shy away from discussing it. He was more than pleased to elaborate on Arrington's breakout game against the Nittany Lions.

"He caught two or three balls with people all over him, where his feet were off the ground and he is extended," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "You still gotta catch the ball in a crowd, and Adrian made some great plays, particularly in the first half."

Looking straight ahead, Arrington spoke while laughter and mock Zombie Nation chants could be heard from the visitor's locker room. He still had white chalk along his forearm, perhaps the remnant of his second-quarter touchdown pass --a toss he labeled as "great."

Fellow wideout Breaston said everyone had to step up; everyone had to turn it up at least "two percent." Arrington did that and more, finding seams and making two huge third down plays -- both of which led to Michigan scores.

When asked what he meant about "two percent," Breaston spoke slowly and quietly.

"It's the truth. You're not just going to put everything on your shoulders," he said. "You're going to play a little harder, focus a little bit more than you have been, and you're going to make up for that void."

It may have been difficult to fill the shoes of a man nicknamed "Super Mario," but Arrington and Breaston did exactly that. The duo combined for 162 yards, a little more than half of the Wolverines' total offensive production.

The production came in spite of what Arrington called "probably the loudest stadium we played in all year." And Breaston said the fans were a little crazy even before gameday.

"They kept my mom up to 4 a.m., just making prank phone calls," said Breaston, a Pa. native. "I found out this morning, but once I got here, it was fun and I saw a couple Stevie B. signs up there -- good to be back."

Breaston moved to No. 1 wideout spot Saturday, taking over for Manningham, while Arrington replaced Breaston at No. 2.

Although Breaston ended up with 79 receiving yards, Arrington was still the game's surprise player.

"Adrian's a great player and when people go down, I think we realized that last year we need to step up," Chad Henne said.

"And without Mario this week, people definitely stepped up."