Q: What are you most excited for about the Cal game?

A: Going out there and showing them what Illinois football is all about. Obviously, we’re going out there as underdogs, but we don’t feel like it. This is a good chance to let everybody know what we can do.

Q: How did you feel during that fourth-down tackle?

A: They called a blitz so I blitzed. I was just playing the play. I took on the block, I saw they were running the sweep so I just went over there and made the play.

Q: Would you say that was your most exciting play in college?

A: That’d probably be it. Last year in the Western Michigan game, on the kick off, I had a pretty big hit.

Q: Your dad and uncle both played Big Ten football. Do you ever trash talk?

A: Not really from them but from my brother, because he played at Arkansas. He’s the one always talking about the SEC.

My dad, he’s always been for Illinois.

Q: How did you pick U of I?

A: Basically, it came down to Indiana and here. A lot of people thought I was going to go to Indiana because my dad played there, but I wanted to be on a winning team. I know we’re going in the right direction.

Q: Why are Illinois’ safeties underrated?

A: Experience. We’ve got MoV back there, but he’s only been there for a year. Then you’ve got me; I came in as a backup last year, so I’m still kind of wet behind the ears. Then you’ve got Harrison, he’s still young. Then you’ve got Kleck. He’s been there, he knows the defense inside and out, but he hasn’t gotten that many reps.

I’d say it’s because we’re young. As a secondary in general, I’d say each year we’re gaining that confidence more and more. Especially at the corner spot, we’re just going to keep growing. Each year, I just see us getting stronger and stronger.

Q: How did you get the nickname ‘Juice’?

A: When I came in as a freshman, we had to stand up in front of the team and introduce ourselves. Kyle Kleckner yelled out, ‘Oh, he looks like Beetlejuice, from Howard Stern!’ And it just kind of stuck.

Q: What is your favorite kind of juice?

A: Orange juice.

Q: How would you describe Fort Monk to someone who has never been there?

A: It’s just a place where everybody comes to party after a win and have a good time.

Q: Your roommates J Leman and Drew McMahon consume 20 eggs every day. Do you follow a diet like that?

A: No. If that’s your thing, but I’m not disciplined enough to do that. I stick with McDonald’s every day and maybe a nutrition shake, but that’s about it.

Q: What kind of Starter jacket did you have as a kid?

A: Raiders. And I had a Redskins. Those two are my favorite teams.

Q: If you weren’t playing football, what sport would you play?

A: Probably baseball. I’ve played baseball my whole life. I quit playing that to focus on this. I’d love to play basketball, but I don’t have the height.

The Associated Press

California quarterback Nate Longshore passes against Sacramento State in the first half, Sept. 3, 2005 in Berkeley, Calif.