ORANGE BOWL Penn State's Robinson getting the last laugh

A play involving Springfield's Isaac Smolko is considered by many Nittany Lions to be the turning point of the season.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- The letters started coming when Michael Robinson took over as Penn State's full-time quarterback, hateful notes that said a black player shouldn't have that job.
If the writers hoped to rattle the senior or make him quit, they failed. Miserably.
"You would think the world has changed a little bit over the last 20 years. But it happens," Robinson said. "People have the right to be able to say what they want to say. We continue to win games, so it doesn't really bother me."
Besides, Robinson is getting the last laugh. The best laugh, really.
Best in a decade
In his first full season at quarterback, he's led the Nittany Lions to their best season in a decade, a No. 3 ranking and a spot in Tuesday night's Orange Bowl against Florida State. If not for a last-second loss at Michigan, Penn State might be playing for the national title on the other side of the country.
"We wouldn't be where we're at now [without him]," cornerback Alan Zemaitis, Robinson's roommate since freshman year, said Sunday. "None of you all would be talking to me. We probably wouldn't even be in a bowl."
Robinson was one of the best prep quarterbacks in Virginia, leading his Varina High School team to four straight regional titles and two runner-up finishes in the state championships. But he was also a spectacular all-around athlete, someone who could just as easily play running back or receiver.
When he got to Penn State, that's exactly what coach Joe Paterno decided to do. The Nittany Lions had somebody else who could play quarterback, Zack Mills, but not many people with the potential to break open a game like Robinson.
Utility person
After redshirting his freshman year, Robinson found himself all over the field. He'd line up at receiver for some plays, running back for others. He'd also get some time at quarterback.
"Obviously it was tough, feeling like you could do some things a little bit better than the other guy," Robinson said. "At the same time, it was tough on him, too. Zack Mills is a great quarterback. I learned a lot from him.
"The one thing is, if you put me in at quarterback the last couple years, who would you throw to? I was the team's leading receiver."
Still, it was a tough adjustment for a guy who's always wanted to be a quarterback. After the Capital One Bowl in 2002, where he earned offensive MVP honors with 31 yards passing, seven yards receiving and 30 yards rushing, he contemplated transferring. Mills had another two years at Penn State, and Robinson knew he'd likely have a split offensive personality that whole time.
But as he sat in his room, holding business cards from all of the schools that wanted him in one hand and the telephone in the other, Zemaitis walked in.
Awakening
"I said, 'Man, I just don't see where I fit in here,"' Robinson recalled. "His answer actually shocked me. He said, 'Well, Mike, whatever you do, I'll still be your boy. Do what you have to do and do what's best for you.' That reaction, that response, made me look at things in a different light."
Paterno has always told his players that the teammates they have at Penn State will be friends they keep for life. Zemaitis' comment made Robinson see how true that was, and realize there was more for him at Penn State than simply football.
"The grass is always going to look greener on the other side of the fence," Robinson said. "I just think God put me in this situation for a reason. If I can handle this, I can handle pretty much anything."
That perseverance has paid off. With Mills gone and the Nittany Lions adding a couple of big-time receivers in freshmen Justin King and Derrick Williams, Paterno moved Robinson to quarterback for good in the spring.
The results
He threw for 2,097 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 785 yards and 11 more scores. He was named co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten, and finished fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
"It's just finally getting the opportunity to do what I like to do," Robinson said. "This offense being so wide open, I can throw it to any receiver and they can go the distance. I can hand it off to Tony Hunt and he can go the distance.
"And Joe's always telling me, 'Mike, I'd rather the ball be in your hands so whenever you feel like running, take off."'
But it is Robinson's leadership that has made the biggest difference for the Nittany Lions. Penn State wasn't the sharpest in its non-conference games, and found itself down 23-7 during a dismal first half against Northwestern. Robinson had thrown three interceptions, and fumbled inside the 20-yard line.
In previous years, the Nittany Lions would have collapsed under the weight of those mistakes. Not this time.
"I kept looking in his face and it was like nothing had ever happened," King said. "I felt real good about that because if he's not rattled, we shouldn't be rattled. Second half he came out and played a great game."
Connects with Smolko
Down 29-27 and facing a fourth-and-15 with 1:39 left, Robinson connected with Isaac Smolko for a 20-yard gain, a play considered by many Nittany Lions to be the turning point of the season. Six plays later, he found Williams for a touchdown that gave Penn State a 34-29 victory.
A week later, Penn State moved into the Top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2002 season. And soon after, those nasty letters stopped.
"It's definitely a treat to see this team succeed the way it did," Robinson said. "Week in and week out, we played our hearts out and left everything out on the field. We didn't hold anything back, not once at all.
"And it's not over. We've got a game to play, and hopefully things will continue to go our way."
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