Illini defensive back Alan Ball has been stepping out of the defensive shadows this season. Ball, a junior, has 34 tackles and one interception this season. The DI’s Courtney Linehan caught up with him at practice Monday to talk football, current events (sort of) and pop culture.

Q: How was practice today?

A: It was good. Coming off a loss, we were just trying to focus on Ohio State, work on Ohio State, learn what they’re all about. So it was a good practice.

Q: You had a pretty good game against Wisconsin. What did you think went well?

A: I think it was just an aggressive thing. Defensively, we played really aggressively on Saturday, and that’s one thing we have to have; we have to get out there and play aggressively.

Q: Do you feel like you’ve improved throughout the season?

A: I feel like our team has improved. We’re young, we’re all starting to work together, we’re learning the new defense, we’re going out in the Big Ten, which is tough to play in, and everybody’s starting to relax, starting to play more aggressive. I think everybody’s getting more comfortable out there.

Q: What do you think is the strength of the Illinois secondary?

A: I think our strength is our aggressiveness. When we get out there and decide to play, decide to have fun, we can be really aggressive. We play with energy.

Q: You won the football state championship in high school, but also won the 110-meter hurdles championships two years in a row. Which was a bigger deal?

A: I think football. I loved working with those guys. In track, you’re working by yourself so you’re enjoying it by yourself, but in football you’re working with a team. You’re working with those guys from the beginning of the summer to the end of November. So I think football.

Q: What is your favorite sport other than football?

A: I love to watch basketball. We have one of the best basketball teams in the country at Illinois, so I love watching those guys play.

Q: This weekend was Daylight Savings, so there was an extra hour Saturday night. If you had one more hour in every day, what would you do for that hour?

A: I’d sleep. I’m a sleeper; I love to sleep. I’m tired all the time, so I’d probably sleep with my extra hour.

Q: Everybody starts registering for classes this week. For everybody who doesn’t know what to sign up for, what was the best class you’ve taken at Illinois?

A: Theater 178, but I’m not sure if it’s 178 anymore. Better yet, Speech Comm 323 with Dan. He’s a great professor.

Q: Your full name is Alan Sheffield Ball. If you had to be stranded on a desert island with Fran Drescher’s character in The Nanny or with Lucille Ball, who would you pick and why?

A: Oh man, I don’t know. I’d have to say Lucy. The Nanny, she’s too much. You can’t sleep around her or anything. I’d have to say Lucy.

Q: What was the best Halloween costume you saw this weekend?

A: Paul Blalock dressed up as Prince. He wore all purple, with a lollypop. Tight, velvet purple.