CHAMPAIGN - Like any concerned mother, Decatur's Teresa Miller has lived on edge during her son's University of Illinois football career.

She has worried about injuries and feels incredibly thankful because there have been no major ones. She worries about her son's happiness and has been blessed with a young man who always sees the glass as half full.

She worries, as mothers do, about his future, but knows he will take just 31/2 years to graduate with degrees in speech communications and history, he'll likely have a chance to pursue a shot in the National Football League and he has an engaging personality that will win over anyone doing the hiring.

So today, when her son, Brit Miller - middle linebacker and leading tackler in the Big Ten Conference - runs onto the Memorial Stadium field to give his mom and dad, Randy Miller, a hug commemorating his final home game, she'll be struck by this one thought:

"It has just gone by so darned fast," she said.

No kidding.

It seems like yesterday when Brit Miller was arriving on the Illini campus with a most unlikely story line: Eisenhower High School football standout seeks impact role in the Big Ten Conference.

In retrospect, it was a longshot roll of the dice for Miller, who was both undersized and underappreciated when stacked against higher-profile recruits. More than that, he arrived at the awkward start of a coaching change and had no idea what role he might assume as Ron Zook looked to revamp Illinois' slumping football program.

But in the four years during which he has worn the orange and blue, Miller has had more than just an impact role, and in that regard, he will forever be recognized as uniquely successful.

Few Decatur prep athletes migrate to the University of Illinois to play football, and not since St. Teresa's Bill Henkel, who started 13 times at linebacker during his successful career (1987 to 1990), has a Decatur player assumed such a significant role.

Today will mark Miller's 36th start. On the field, he has become Illinois' single most reliable player, the team's most productive defender and special teams contributor, as well as the most articulate team spokesman and leader. He begins the day as the fifth-leading tackler in all of college football.

Off the field, he has shined just as brightly. Just this week, Miller was selected as one of eight national semifinalists for the Lott Trophy, which recognizes athletic performance as well as personal character attributes of the player. Miller donates an average of four hours a week to volunteer work, including projects with disabled veterans, children's hospitals and elementary schools.

In retrospect, Miller might have been a perfect recruit to help revitalize the Illini. After all, he still says his most rewarding athletic achievement was starting at Eisenhower High School on a team that went 1-8 and finishing his senior year by taking the team to the playoffs.

So when Miller's college career began with a 2-9 season in 2005, maybe it was just a matter of time that he helped Illinois reach the Rose Bowl, which happened last season.

This season, however, has been Miller's personal breakthrough campaign, even if his hoped-for team goals seem less likely now.

"I think Brit has learned an awful lot this year, and we've been able to benefit from that," Zook said. "He's a guy who started as a true freshman at middle linebacker. He kind of learned it the hard way, the tough way.

"He has been through the tough times, and he had an opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl. He has been in the lows, and he has been in the highs.

"Knowing Brit and what he thinks of this university, he wouldn't change it for anything," Zook said.

Miller said it has been difficult for him to comprehend the individual success he has enjoyed this season because of the team's 5-5 record.

"It's so tough because I don't keep track of any of my individual stats. I get a call from my dad now and then, and he'll tell me.

"But it's about wins and losses. There's a time to reflect after the season. That's why people have banquets."

Miller said he can't imagine what thoughts will flood into his head when his name is called in pregame introductions today.

"I just hope I don't trip," he said. "I have made it through all these home games without falling down. It will be fun, having Mom and Dad there."

Mom and Dad have been there nearly every step of the way.

Randy Miller has not missed one of his son's 46 college football games. Teresa Miller has missed three. Together, they figure they have logged 28,000 miles, living a dream that only the parents of an athlete can understand.

"We've had a lot of fun," said Randy Miller, who remembers getting a waiver from Decatur Junior Football League officials so his 8-year-old son could start play early with the 10-year-olds. "To see him go from playing at Eisenhower to the Rose Bowl has been great.

"He's done a real good job. He has always been the type of person who puts a challenge in front of himself and tries to exceed what that challenge will be. He likes family, and he likes his friends."

No wonder the Miller Mob will number nearly 150 family and friends who populate Memorial Stadium today, saluting their favorite player for his final home game. Many will wear his jersey, No. 44.

Miller graduates in December and would like to pick up his teaching certificate. Coaching always has been on his mind, and he has talked about coming back to Decatur to do so. He'll have many options.

First, though, he will see what opportunities await in the NFL.

"In my opinion, there's no question he'll have an opportunity," said Zook, who coached for six seasons in the NFL. "It will be important how he works at the (NFL) combine. He's an athletic guy, a winner, a competitor and he's smart. He is about people. He gives back, all the things you would love to have."

Randy Miller said he's not sure what emotions will overcome him today when his son greets his parents in the senior day ceremony prior to the kickoff against Ohio State.

But Zook's observation - "If you had a son, that's what you'd want" - might serve him well.

mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983