ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. -- There was no doubt Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler would be the most popular interview subject at the ACC Football Kickoff. The question was how Dantzler would handle it.

	Clemson QB Woodrow Dantzler loses his helmet, but still scores against NC State.

"It really wasn't that bad, even though I don't like all that attention," Dantzler said after entertaining questions for three hours. "You might not think I'm enjoying it, but I'm having fun with y'all."

So began Clemson's Heisman Trophy push for Dantzler, who is known for providing more headaches than answers when dealing with the media. On Sunday, he cracked jokes and gave thoughtful responses to some of the same media members who have Heisman votes.

Don't mistake Dantzler's good mood with political pandering. He hasn't changed his indifferent position about college football's most prestigious award.

Dantzler is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. Clemson is spending about $4,000 in promotions, including a daily planner that will be sent to sports journalists.

"If a guy's going to win the Heisman, he's going to sell himself," Dantzler said. "You don't need anyone to sell you. ... Don't spend that money on me. Give it to the soccer team or something."

If Dantzler sounds indifferent, it's no surprise. He spoke the same way last season when he emerged as an early front-runner before an ankle injury slowed him down.

What did he learn from the experience?

"Deny it," Dantzler said, laughing. "There's not much more to learn. It just goes with being a college quarterback at a high-profile position."

When it comes to football, though, Dantzler is always eager to learn. The knock on Dantzler has always been that he is more of a runner than a passer.

N.C. State linebacker Levar Fisher, the 2000 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, illustrated that thought Sunday when he said of Dantzler: "He's no doubt the best running back in the ACC."

Dantzler threw for 1,871 yards and ran for 1,028 yards last season, nearly becoming the first single-season 2,000/1,000 Division I player. He completed 56 percent of his throws -- a figure Dantzler wants to increase as he better understands defenses.

"I've got a pretty good grasp of it, but I've just got to do a little bit more studying because things are changing in this league," Dantzler said, referring to four new head coaches in the ACC. "Things are not going to be the same as last year."

One noticeable change in Dantzler is his weight. Teammate Chad Carson cracked on the extra pounds Dantzler put on after ankle surgery in January, and even Dantzler lamented, "Oh my God. I'm fat." Exactly how many pounds? a reporter asked.

"It's like a woman. Don't ask me that," Dantzler replied, laughing, before revealing he weighed 216 pounds at one point. He currently weighs 204 and wants to lose four more pounds.

Dantzler said the injured left ankle, which slowed him in the final four games, is 100 percent. The injury also "reassessed my faith," he said.

Dantzler often proclaimed he would never get injured, despite an abundant number of rushing attempts (190) for a quarterback. Then came the injury Oct. 21, 2000, during the opening half at North Carolina.

"That was God's way of saying my life wasn't right with Him," said Dantzler, who claimed he has changed parts of his life that he wouldn't identify. "... I can go back out again and profess that I'm not going to get hurt because I know that I've got God watching over me, and He's going to protect me no matter what."

Protection from annoying questions. Protection from defenders' hits. Protection from even himself.

"I'll never see college football again. I might never see football again," Dantzler said before rushing off to the beach. "I'm going to enjoy it."

Contact Jon Solomon of the Anderson Independent-Mail in Anderson, S.C., at http://www.andersonsc.com.