He'd looked at life from both sides. He'd lived nothing but extremes.

He'd found himself in the doghouse as the result of having a forgettable effort against Michigan.

But thanks to a remarkable turn of events, Lambert occupied the penthouse just a scant seven days later. His clutch two interceptions versus Michigan State had moved him uptown in one hell of a hurry.

In the aftermath of the Wolverine debacle, Lambert had been vilified and condemned. His shining gold helmet had suddenly sprouted goat horns. The 5-11, 191-pound junior took some fierce hits from both the media and fans alike.

He wasn't exactly the most revered guy in state of Indiana. A leper probably would have been more popular.

But fast forward to Saturday night. With the Irish needing a big play in the worst way, Lambert makes a great read, gathers in a Drew Stanton pass with a nifty one-hand grab and then proceeds to weave his way into the end zone.

Terrail's 27-yard interception return puts the Irish ahead for the first time at 40 to 37. But the California transplant hasn't yet finished with his heroics. He's merely getting warmed-up.

Frantically trying to drive his team to a game-tying field goal, Stanton whips a throw that pinballs off a couple of players. Johnny-on-the-spot once again, Lambert alertly snatches the ball off the back of a downed Spartan receiver and hugs it to his breast. With it, he hold a ND victory and deals MSU its' dead blow.

A pair of dramatic picks in the game's final three minutes makes Lambert the man of the moment. No longer a goat, he's instantaneously transformed himself into a savior. What a difference a week makes!

And just like that, he could've been elected mayor of South Bend had he chosen to run.

Lambert had endured the bad and the ugly. At least temporarily, he could enjoy the good.

Lambert's rollercoaster ride is a testament to how quickly and dramatically things can change in sports. You're trashed one day and exalted the next. You're a bum one Saturday and a standout the next. It's enough to make your head spin.

But give Lambert credit for not giving up on himself. And give kudos to coaches Charlie Weis, Rick Minter and Bill Lewis for having enough confidence in Terrail to keep putting him out there. Another staff might have demoted or worse yet, buried Lambert after his dismal showing versus Michigan.

And make no mistake, Lambert had been chewed up by wideout Mario Manningham and the Wolverines. Use just about any negative description you want and that pretty much summed up Terrail's travails two Saturdays ago.

He got worked, undressed, humbled, fooled, abused, embarrassed and destroyed. There are other words that are just as apropos but you get the point.

The most telling and dramatic pictures from that Michigan blowout are those of Lambert in futile pursuit of Manningham. The ND corner got beat and beaten bad. The only thing that Lambert saw of Manningham was his backside. It was like the Irish defender was trying to cover a ghost.

That type of going-over could break some players. It could leave their confidence shattered and in ruins.

But Lambert took his medicine and quietly soldiered on. With the support of his coaches, he came back for more. He hung in there, tried to learn from his mistakes and worked diligently to get better. He pushed through the difficulties, hoping for a brighter day.

And it's not as if Lambert is without talent. He's got the one asset the Irish desperately need more of on defense. Speed. A sprinter in high school, Lambert can motor.

He also has legitimate athleticism. That's why Weis believes Lambert has plenty of upside. He can run and you simply can't ignore his physical prowess.

Perhaps more than anything else what Lambert lacks is experience. Prior to this season, he had played all of 17 minutes. That's not much of a track record to fall back on.

Because he's such a babe-in-the-woods from the standpoint of playing time, Lambert has suffered some obvious growing pains. Still not completely comfortable with the defense's schemes and nuances, he appears tentative at times.

As a result, he hasn't been able to put his speed to maximum effect. Sometimes, he's still thinking and not reacting.  

But perhaps his stirring deeds against the Spartans signals that Lambert is beginning to find himself. Maybe his daring-do in East Lansing was a coming-out party of sorts.

Those that have seen him up close, don't doubt for a moment that Lambert can develop into a solid contributor. No less an authority than Tom Zbikowski said that what Terrail showed last weekend was something that the Irish have been expecting.

Having displayed flashes of excellence in practice, Lambert's teammates know that he's capable of making plays and distinguishing himself. He just needs to do it with more regularity when it really matters.

Perhaps the most lasting and touching image resulting from ND's frantic win was that of a rain-soaked Weis, football in one arm, embracing Lambert with the other.

Weis' eyes spoke volumes. You could tell that the coach was truly happy for the kid. You could also detect Weis' obvious pride in his youthful charge.

Weis had stuck with his beleaguered cornerback. He'd backed him to the hilt. And now, Lambert had rewarded that faith. Terrail had more than justified Weis' belief in him.

Seeing that mutual respect and affection on display provided a special and poignant moment. It was a beautiful thing to witness. A coach and his player expressing the heartfelt feelings they have for one another.

If Lambert can continue to be the difference-maker that he was in Spartan Stadium, he figures to get a lot more love from Weis.