Photo: Stephen J. Carrera
What vibe are you getting from students after the Minnesota loss?
They are supporting us. There was a good showing in the student section and they are always behind us 100 percent.
What’s the worst jab you have received from an opposing fan?
“You’re too short; you can’t guard those bigger receivers.” You hear a lot of cuss words. Last year at Iowa, after I got beat for a touchdown they were on me. It’s easy to block that out but when you’re on the sidelines you can hear them in the back. They say you’re not good enough. We’re not even allowed to talk back. I wish we were, but we would get in trouble.
What is your pre-game ritual?
I always sit on the right side of the bus towards the front. I don’t listen to any music before the game, which is a new thing, I used to listen but I don’t now. I try and get focused for the game, do prayers with a couple other teammates.
Why the right side of the bus?
I realized last year I always sat on the right side so I decided to make it a habit.
Why is NU 2-2?
A lack of focus. Defensively we’ve been letting up big plays, we have to limit those and get back to fundamentals and play good ole’ football.
What is the biggest misconception about athletes on Northwestern’s campus?
We’re actually kind of smart people. A lot of people say we’re just jocks, but there’s a lot of guys that are really smart people, real fun and good to be around. People think we’re mean just because we’re bigger than everyone, but there’s a lot of nice guys on the team.
Who is smartest guy on the team?
Andrew Struckmeyer. He’s a smart kid.
What is your favorite ‘Fitzism?’
He has so many. He always says play physical and keep on attacking.
Do you follow his Twitter?
I don’t actually have a Twitter, but I’ve seen his Facebook. He posts some good pictures of the football team. I always read his statuses on Facebook, but I’ve never read them on Twitter. He seems to have a lot of followers.
What has your interaction with students been like in your time here?
From the people I’ve met, they like to ask us questions; they give us a lot of credit for playing football and going to Northwestern. Last year, they’d always ask me how is Tyrell Sutton, what is he like, stuff like that. That’s always fun, just talking to them about football. And then, I always ask them questions, like, how is engineering?
When do you feel most part of the NU community?
Just walking around campus, wearing the purple and white. We like going to different sporting events. Myself and another teammate went to improv and a capella and that was a first for me.
What is your favorite place to eat?
I have two places. Of course, one is Chipotle on a normal, daily basis. Second is Merle’s. On Monday nights they have all you can eat ribs and on Tuesday nights they have 25 cent wings. Can’t beat that. A lot of my teammates and I go there and just chow down. One of my teammates ate 50 wings one time, one of the redshirt freshman lineman. I hear he’s going to try and beat that record too.
