June 30, 2004

Zack Mills' Ups and Downs

By Jason Herron

Joe Paterno would really like to make a run at a National Championship at least once more before his career comes to an end.  “Joe Pa” received a four year contract extension that will take him past his 80th birthday, despite having losing seasons in 3 of the last 4 years.  Paterno’s ability to bring his Penn State Nittany Lions back to prominence has been in question for at least the last few years.  However, anybody that knows him at all knows that he doesn’t care what any of his critics may think of him.  His players, family and the school have faith in him and likewise, win or lose, he believes in himself and his players.  One player that epitomizes that level of faith Paterno holds is Zack Mills.

Penn State’s starting QB, Zack Mills, has had many ups and downs in his career.  He started his career as a red shirt freshman in 2001.  The Lions had already lost their first four games and were on their way to losing a fifth when Mills’ got his big break with the Lions trailing Northwestern in the final 90 seconds of the game.  Mills came in to relieve Matt Seneca after an injury and drove them to the win on a beautifully orchestrated drive.  The following week he led them to a win against Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State, making him an overnight sensation in Happy Valley.  The Lions went on to win 5 of their last 7 games.

Suddenly there was hope again in State College that hadn’t been felt for some time.  In 2002, with Larry Johnson rushing for more than 2,000 yards and the stellar play from the Mills, Penn State finished with a 9-4 record.  Perhaps lost in the team compiling that record, is that Mill’s best game may have come in their devastating loss to Iowa.  With the Lions trailing 35-13 as the 4th quarter began, Mills’ put the team on his shoulders and led them to a tie at the end of regulation — scoring 22 unanswered points from Mills’ arm.  It seemed that the early ‘90s had returned to Beaver Stadium as the fans were on their feet singing louder than I’ve ever heard “We are, Penn State!“  Beaver stadium was erupting.  Unfortunately for them, they lost in OT on a Brad Banks TD pass.  After the game a teammate said of Mills “He’s always calm.  He’s always poised.  He brings you out there and makes you believe.”  The team may have been devastated by the loss, but they had a new found belief and respect for their young QB.

Beating Wisconsin the following week was a huge lift for the team and it looked as if Penn State was on course to becoming a major player in the quest for the Nation Championship.  However with 2 more losses their dream went unfulfilled.  The Lions went on to lose to Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.

2003 was a nightmare for Mills and the team.  After starting the season with a record of 2-2,  Mills sprained his knee in a game against Minnesota and was replaced by Michael Robinson.  The team went on a 5 game losing streak under Robinson.  Mills’ first game back, he went 22 for 36 for 230 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort to Northwestern.  The old Mills seemed to be back on the right track.  But by that time, the team was in such a state of disrepair that any hopes of finishing up the season with some momentum had been lost.  Having a porous offensive line at best and a dwindling stable of very inexperienced receivers, the Lions limped to the finish line with a 3-9 record.

Mills has new hope for this season.  He’s back to 100% physically and ready to play.  Mills believes that last years poor play was the result of a wealth of inexperience.  However, things are looking up.  Many believe Penn State will have one of the better offensive lines in the conference.  This will obviously help their tandem of sophomore RBs, Austin Scott and Tony Hunt, as they continue to develop.  Lack of a running game was a huge problem for the Lions last year, so undoubtedly Mills stands to benefit from any improvement.

PSU has to replace their top two receivers from last year but they are hoping that Terrance Phillips and Terrell Golden will be able to step up and fill that void.  Phillips should give them the deep play threat that they desperately need.  Golden is a red shirt freshman that has all the tools you look for and at 6’3” and 210 lbs., he has that mixture of size, speed, quickness and hands that scouts drool over.  It will be imperative that Mills and his receivers create a chemistry on the field.

This spring, Paterno is already trying to create a bond between his players by putting them through some of most demanding workouts he’s dished out in years.  Although, he’s not typically a very vocal leader on the field, Mills pushes his teammates to take extra practice time and to be dedicated in the weight room.  It appears that the Lions are a team with no lack of hunger and Mills is ready to lead them out of football purgatory.

A lot has been said about Zack Mills in the media.  After his 2002 season they praised him.  After 2003 they buried him.  Mills hasn’t seemed to let that bother him.  He believes in himself and got a piece of sage advice from Joe Pa that he calls on when things get rough.  Joe offered Zack this wisdom when speaking of negative press, saying “It’s like poison; it’ll only hurt you if you swallow it.”