Following Illinois football practice on Tuesday, The Daily Illini caught up with junior receiver Jacob Willis to talk about the team’s first Big Ten road game of the season, his junior college experience and life as a townie.

Question: What’s the attitude of the team in the locker room and on the practice field heading into the game against Michigan State this weekend?

Answer: We’re confident right now. Last week is in the past along with the other weeks. Our main focus is coming out on the right foot this week and trying to beat Michigan State.

Q: This will be the team’s first Big Ten road game of the season. What is it like going on the road in the Big Ten?

A: It’s just like any other place. The crowd is going to be loud, but we’re just going to do our best to go out there and execute.

Q: What do you think makes the atmosphere at Big Ten stadiums different than any other conference in the country?

A: I think the crowd. The Big Ten has some of the best crowds in the whole NCAA. Teams like Ohio State and Michigan have crazy crowds and it’s ridiculously loud. It’s just something you have to overcome.

Q: Of the road games left in the Big Ten, which one are you looking forward to the most and why?

A: Right now it’s Michigan State. I have to focus on one game at a time and when the others come up those will be the ones I’m focused on.

Q: What was your experience like at Joliet Junior College?

A: It was fun. But I like this a lot better. At Joliet, it wasn’t as much work and it was a little bit more laid back.

Q: What made you decide to transfer to Illinois and come play for coach Zook and the Illini?

A: I really put all my eggs in one basket after Joliet. I just got my grades up in the summertime and once I got into school here, I was able to walk on.

Q: What is it like playing in the same town you grew up in?

A: It’s fun and everybody is always calling me and telling me they are glad to see me back playing again. I haven’t seen a lot of them since high school so it’s fun, and it’s great to have the home crowd behind me.

Q: How often will you go home and do laundry or go get a home-cooked meal and just get away from campus?

A: I live with my older brother and my home is just around the corner from me. So I’m usually there every other night, or just when food is kind of scarce at our place.

Q: What’s one thing about Champaign that most people wouldn’t know?

A: Everybody says it’s kind of boring, but it’s not as bad as people think. Anywhere you go you may eventually get tired of, but you just have to find the right friends and people to hang out with and make it fun.