Raw Chicago: DT Karl Klug

Here is Iowa defensive tackle Karl Klug's interview from Big Ten media days in Chicago (most of it).

With the great work and help from the Gazette's Tim Stueck, I'll be able to post entire interviews of Kirk Ferentz, Adrian Clayborn, Ricky Stanzi and Klug from Chicago.

Here's Klug (most of Klug, this recorder is broken. Also, we weren't into spelling in punctuation here, thus "Raw Chicago"):

What have u been working on individually? Drills all summer once a week, and working on getting out of my stance still, I know it's pretty basic but working on my stance and work on my first step, I know it was a little off, but I've been working on it a lot.

Is that what u need to work on the Most to improve your game? I think so it's a lot more difficult than people think, a lot of times I'd be guessing and I'd go the wrong way so just getting that reads straight.

What is your biggest strength? Quickness, I guess

Have u had experience at every level in the high school and in college with the 3-4 and the 4-3? I've never played the 3-4, I always played the 4-3.

How do u think the 4-3 feels the best to your ? U get the extra lineman in there and I like to tie guys up, 3-4 I'd have to play D end, I don't think I could play nose tackle in the 3-4, I like to use my quickness a little more in the 4-3, in the 3-4 u have to be a little bigger and more stout.

Tell me what it's working along side Adrian? It's awesome u know, he's an animal, he draw the attention away from me and there are plays where I'll be free.

What do u think of all the accolades and the hype? I don't care about that, I don't care, it doesn't matter to me.

When u see him on the field? Its fun to watch him make plays, especially on 3rd downs when we need a play, he will most likely make it.

Do u guys think u will be able to fly under the radar or do u think their will be more of a target on your back? I'd say, winning the orange bowl that will make people to be after us and we were in the big ten hunt last year so I feel like people will be out to get us.

Can u walk me thru when u were recruited, what was your hometown like? I was this small town guy, I didn't hear from them until the beginning of October and Minnesota was the only school that was recruiting me, then Iowa called and invited me to a game and then they offered me within a couple of weeks, it happened pretty quick, then I committed, it was pretty cool, then for my next home game at my high school they had a Iowa flag up on the bleachers.

What is Caledonia like? Small town, 3,000, one set of stop lights, I graduated with a 100 people. I actually like the small town. It's a friendly environment u know everybody, the only thing I don't like is that a lot of rumors get spread, the last time I was home I got asked if I got signed by the Raiders.

U don't live on a farm, but u live in the country? We live 2 miles outside of town, we rent our farm out all we have is sheep, we rent our barn, we just add hay, we rent our fields out.

So u did no farming as a kid? No, my uncle lives across the field and we helped him bale hay, that's about it.

What was it like growing up there? I know you're a hunter/fisher, is that what it's all about for u? we fished in high school u know, but not like every day, I enjoy fishing, hunting, we do squirrel hunting and deer hunting, but that it.

Do u take any of the guys? I tried to get Adrian and Ballard but they weren't having it. They don't want to see Caledonia.

When u signed with Iowa was it always the idea that u would be a defensive tackle even though u weighed 207? No not defensive tackle it was defensive end then it was my second year they put me at tackle on the goal line and I made some plays so they kept me there. So that's how it all happened.

Were nervous because that is the land of the 300 pounders or did u think u would be fine? I was nervous at the beginning, but after I started playing there I knew it was going to get me on the field faster because of Adrian over here. So I'd be sitting behind him, so I didn't care about going to defensive tackle.

Did u learn stuff from Mitch and Matt, basically the undersized club? Yeah, I just watched them when I was younger, trying to learn as much as possible, those guys came to work every day, being undersized that is what u have to do, if u take a play off your going to get blown up.

How much easier is your life with Christian on the other side of u and Adrian by u and then u have Binns on the outside too? It makes my life a whole lot easier, they occupy all the guys pretty much.

What it like playing for Rick Kaczenski? U know right away, when ur younger it's tough because he has u on a tight leash and u can't do anything right, but u learn to respect him when u get older and he's a good coach. Day after day when ur getting yelled at when ur younger it's tough but it's good, I knew he was doing it for a good reason, I respect him a lot.

Talk about some of the young guys Dom Alvi, or Mike Daniels the guy who's like a starter for u guys? I feel like Mike can start for any other team in the nation, he's pretty good, so we will be missing Brad the first week but Mike can step and he's going to have a good Junior-Senior year.

Who are some of the young guys who have impressed you so far? Dom Alvis, Mike Daniels I don't know if u would consider him young, Steve Bigach, all those guys are looking pretty good.

What else can u tell me about Caledonia? I mean it's the turkey capital of Minnesota but u have never been Turkey hunting? I've never been turkey hunting, my dad never got into it, he like the deer and squirrel hunting, u know turkey hunting u have apply for a tag and it's more of a waiting game.

It's u and your twin brother, what's he doing now? Internship up in Mankato with the moondogs, it's a baseball team, he like dealing with all the tickets and stuff like that. This year he gets to come to every home game, his name is Kevin.

Any other brothers/sisters? I have a sister who's 24 on August 8th, she actually just had a little baby Elidy. I got to see her once this summer.

Do u have NFL aspirations because of the undersized thing? I don't know, all I can do is go out and play my senior year and if I get an opportunity to play it would be a dream come true, but all I have to worry about right now is my Senior year.

So Iowa offered, did Minnesota offer? No, as soon as Iowa offered Minnesota stopped calling me, as soon as I told them I was going to a game at Iowa they stopped calling.

But u almost live in Iowa right? Yeah were like 20-30 minutes away

What was it like being a 270 defensive end in your first couple days at Iowa? My first camp, Wes Ashelman, “Davis county guy” biggest guy on the team 6-8 320 pounds he would just pick me up and run with me, I'd come back to the hotel every night basically crying and I'm not joking.

What kept u going, I mean that has got to be humbling? To tell u the truth, before I even got on campus I was completely aware that this might happen, I was 207 pounds and until I put any meat on I was going to get blown up pretty much every play, I mean I was still trying to hit other people, coming out of high school my goal was to start 2 years here I mean my goal wasn't to start 4 years here, u have to be a little smarter, I mean I knew I wasn't going to start 4 years.

Now when u go up against Drew Clark or Noah McMillan do u give it back a little bit? Absolutely, every time u go up against a young guy u have to lick your chops a little.

How often does that happen in practice? No much usually most drills were going up against a 1 or a 2.

When did u feel it building up, like hey I belong here and I can make it? My 3rd year I was getting some playing time on special teams and Goal line and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play every down, not until last season when I got more playing time is when I really started to feel more comfortable.

So u started at 207, so what are u going into your senior season? 270

So 207 jeans, what happened to them? Those are long gone,

So for a guy who is tight with his money that has got to suck a little bit ? I pretty much always wear all my Iowa nation stuff, I'm not going to go out and spend money on stuff I'll only wear a little bit, I can't remember the last time I bought swimming shorts, my girlfriend always says hey go buy a pair, but I never do cause I'll grow out of them in a couple of months, it's not worth it.

How do u fit in the culture of the team? Ur a small town kid and u hunt, and there are a bunch of u that do that, but there are guys from St. Louis and Chicago. I think it's kind of cool, I actually live with a bunch of small town Iowa guys, so we all fit in pretty good, but I think it's kind of neat getting to know a guy from St. Louis or a guy from New Jersey or wherever.

What is your best non-football moment? High school I guess, not just one experience but hanging out with my brother in high school.

What would u do without football? Xbox parties, Halo, we would get like 4 tv's hooked up. I enjoy that we would just hang out and play video games.

What movie is a movie u really like that maybe we would be shocked by? Dumb and Dumber, Black Sheep, Tommy Boy, those are my favorites

Famous Line? U sold my dead bird to a blind kid?

What was the last book u read? It was about gay guys and lesbians for sex class

Favorite pregame meal? Breakfast food, omlets, eggs whatever

After this division things shakes out and u guys and Wisconsin are in different divisions and might not play each other, how bad would that be? It would be weird, we are playing for the heartland trophy every year, us and Wisconsin is always a good rivalry. We both try to run the ball and we have a lot of similarities.

Is Wisconsin the biggest rivalry would u say? Well Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa State we have enough rivalries, I don't know how to rank them.

If u were in charge of Division I alignment would u do everything u could to keep those rivalries? Yeah, I feel like those are good rivalry games playing for those trophies, it would be weird getting rid of them.

Are u getting tired of Ohio State winning this conference every year? Well they have won it the last five years so yeah everyone is and would like a shot at it and the big ten title to knock those guys off.

Is there a team in this league u would like to beat more than Ohio State? We would like to beat every one, everyone is just as important as the next.

Why do u think they dominated so much lately? They have a great coaching staff and they keep getting good recruits, they bring in good guys and guys who are willing to work, they are doing something right down there.

What do u see yourself doing if u don't make the NFL? I'd like to work for a team somehow doing whatever I could do, I just need to stay around sports. I feel if I get away from sports I'm not sure I can do a job I'd be happy with the rest of my life.

Do u see any senerio where u go back to Caledonia? I'd like to go somewhat close, but prolly not back to the town. I couldn't live in Minneapolis, so some small town.

U didn't grow up a Minnesota fan did u? I was a fan, but I could never live in the cities, its too crowded and I don't like that.

Can u talk about the defensive line all back and what should teams in the big ten be thinking this year? We are worried about ourselves improving from last year but I feel we do have an advantage bringing everyone back, we all played with each other a year ago and we should be one step ahead of last year.

Are there times where it's cause the defense was rolling but the offense was struggling? Not really we had a pretty good offense last year Ricky can throw the heck out of that ball and we had a good rush offense and we are never pointing any fingers at the offense. We just have to go out and worry about ourselves.

Adrian Clayborn is a possible first round pick? What is it like having him definitely coming back? It's huge for the whole defense, he's a great leader, he's a top leader on the whole team, with him and Ricky it's great to have him back he's a very talented guy, the best part is he's a humble guy he's not arrogant or anything, he won't let u know about what he did on the field, he doesn't want to talk about that.

Not to bring up a sore subject but u do struggle against Northwestern, what do u have to correct to be ready for them this year? Turned the ball over a few times, they took it to us in the second half, we need to correct our mistakes and we need to win that game.

Having Stanzi knocked out of the game did that have an impact? Anytime u lose your starting quarterback that hurts, but were not going to sit there and blame it on him getting hurt, we lost the game.

Talk to me a little bit about the schedule this year? Anytime u can play a home game it's nice, it would be great to play every game at home but tell u the truth I don't think it matters a whole lot, cause u have to play the game no matter where it is home or away. U know Northwestern came into our place and beat us so home field advantage doesn't mean anything, I guess I shouldn't say anything I mean it helps but u still have to play.

How do replicate the success on defense from last year with everyone coming back and just a few holes to fill? Working harder and harder in practice, we can't get complacent as soon as we do that were going to lose a lot of games, we have to stay hungry. We have to pay close attention to details too, especially the small things. I feel like that is what matters the most and don't forget your fundamentals.

Expectations never seem to get to this team, how do u do that week in and week out especially starting out 8-0 and have some hype going? Honestly if u look ahead, you are not going to take care of business that u have right in front of you. U have to take it one week at a time, soon as u look ahead or at last years season u will be complacent and think oh we had a great year last year so we should be good this year, but last year is irrelevant right now. So we are just looking to beat Eastern Illinois right now.

What do u do different this year to be more prepared to avoid the UNI game again this year with Eastern coming to town? Work harder in practice, don't take anything lightly, tell u the truth we didn't take UNI lightly, we knew they were a tough team coming in and they would want to beat us, they played very well.

What did Adrian say after the Iowa State game that was a little kick in the butt? First it was coach Kalen the positions coach, those meetings on Sunday were not good, nothing positive was said, he came in there and we deserved it, people might not think that cause we beat them pretty good but deserved it. After the meetings Adrian pulled us together and reiterated what coach K said and put it in different words.

When u were a soph or junior in HS what were your goals, was it to play in the big ten? My Soph year it was to play college football, I didn't know where, anywhere in the big ten was fine. Junior-Senior year when I did get accepted to Iowa, my goal then was to start two years. I wasn't going to be a four year starter and I definitely didn't think I'd be on the outland watch list.

I didn't even know about the watch list until coach Morgan came up and told me when I was lifting weights. I didn't believe him right away. Then someone else told me and he was joking around saying oh u think your big time now being on the watch list and whatever.

How many times as a fan have u watched the orange bowl again, and watched how much of a amazing experience it was? My uncle recorded it and we watched it on winter break and saw all the good plays but kept finding things that were horrible so it's tough to watch it as a fan. If your going to watch it u might as well learn from it.

With all u guys coming back and the hype about u being a top five defensive line what do u do to keep getting better? Cause Norm Parker's expectations are that they better be better? He has a point u know, I feel we have to be better, we push each other, we make each other better, like in off season work outs we try to beat each other everyday.

U show up to these meetings knowing you're a top team but also knowing that Ohio State is good again does that ever get old? Yeah I think it gets sickening to everyone they have won the last five big ten titles, I don't think anyone is comfortable with that or accepting with that, but everyone wants to win the big ten championship, but someone has won five years straight but that isn't good

What separates them, is it talent level? They have a great coaching staff and they get good recruits who are willing to work.

What do u remember about the game in Columbus last year? Them kicking the last field goal, it's hard to swallow.

Does it motivate u anymore? Yeah but we can't worry about them right now if we do that game won't even matter by the time we get to them, were just taking it one game at a time.

What are your thoughts on Terrelle Pryor as the preseason offensive player of the year? He's deserving he can do it all, throw, pass, I don't question it.

U guys are picked #2 in the conference this year what is it going to take to finish # 1? Tell u the truth we need to focus on Eastern Illinois and take it one game at a time after that and try to win as many games as possible.

Summarize this team going into this season? Excited, about what we can do this year, last year doesn't matter right now, having 26 seniors coming into this year should be pretty exciting.

Some of the magazines have picked u as the best defensive line in the country does that mean anything? No we have heard that and other magazines have called us the worst defensive line in the country. It doesn't matter what the media says about us, we just have to work hard every day.

How much pride do u take as a defensive line especially looking at what u did against Georgia Tech a year ago? A great deal u know, but we just want to improve everyday

What is it about this group that makes u so good? I think we compete against each other really well and we compete to see who is going to get to the quarterback first. I feel like those competitions help and make us better.

What is it like to be a Hawkeye right now? Coming off the orange bowl win its great, we're feeling pretty good about the season but we just have to come out and win, but we have to just keep going out and winning.

Michigan – Robinson or Forice at QB

“I'm not really sure they are both good QBs”

Exited about season

“This is a new year and getting season rolling”

How did you decide on Iowa. “Iowa called in October and asked me to come down for a game. I told them I was going to the game and Minnesota stopped calling. I wanted to be a Hawkeye”

Did you envision becoming all-big 10

“I had hopes, goals, be the best player I could be” “Vikings fan as a kid” “Twin Brother plays at Mankato-Minn. He is done there, did not red-shirt.” Started one year at Mankato, he was special teams player of the week one week after blocking two or three kicks, it was exciting”

As you go into your last year… thinking about Pro/NFL?

“thought about it but not a whole lot, just thinking about this year whatever happens happens”

Team Goal? “Win Big Ten and Nat. Championship, but that is everybody's goal.

Ohio state guy asking ? Solid unit

“having all the guys back on d-line is huge, we'll feel more comfortable and take another step. You learn more watching others play your position than you can from watching offensive guys, positive and negative stuff. I struggled with my first step last year. Going the wrong way sometimes. Take up two on a double team and someone's going to be free. ” “Stanzi is a great qb and a great offense”

Injury bugs “herniated disk my freshman year, broke big toe, surgery two straight years when I got here”

Separation from twin brother “injuries didn't make that tough, we were big losers in high school, played video games all the time.”

Pat Angerer was about to throw in the towel over injuries “never thought of quitting” “goal to start two years”. Goal to start 4 years? “207 lbs as a d-lineman coming out of high school, knew I couldn't start 3 or 4 years being that light, put weight on and older guys in front of me that were going to start, goal to start after they left”

“wasn't sure what it would be like to play every down” feel like a fan favorite? “not really” “goal is to win games”

Tough losses N'western/OSU last year stick with you rather than big wins? “Absolutely, even back to high school losing state championship.” I think about loses like that W. Michigan just a few years ago always stick w/ you.”

Rank OSU game “ tough loss, we were close last year to win big 10, don't mean anything, hardest part is when the ball went through the uprights in OT, makes your stomach churn“ do you think about it over the summer “yeah a little, can't dwell on it, you gotta move on, we are focused on E. Ill. now.”

Making the most of precious minutes your attack plan?

“You could be hurt any play, or you could be taken out on any play by the coach, go 100%”

Low key front four – “we are low-key, we have a switch”, “I saw a combine on the road the first time I came down and loved it”, “Binns is from Minn. too”

Is the Orange bowl win a springboard to this season? “no not really, not at all, we enjoyed it for awhile, it is irrelevant now.” Chris Doyle keeps people grounded “every time you do something good he'll throw a jab at you to keep you grounded, so you don't get to big of a head, after a big win ‘you haven't done anything yet ‘, you just gotta keep pushing forward”

How did iowa find you? “Coach Morgan has No. Iowa and maybe So. Minn he was recruiting a kid at .,. West Union, Iowa, and I was an hour away” Home town, Calidonia Minn. Is 3,000….100 in high school graduation class.

Norm Parker said you had Greenway ability do you like comparisons like that? “No, cuz he was an all-American and a first round pick, I'm not an all-American, I will not be a first round pick, comparison is crazy”

Grow up on a farm? “just sheep and chickens, rent the farm out now”

Do you feel like a role model and how do you handle that responsibility? “I feel like a role model going back home, when I need to get my weightlifting in back home, ask if I'm going to play in the NFL, so I do know they look up to me. Try to be a good role model.”

Twin brother questions – “will come to all home games, Karl born at 1130, brother born at 1138 so Karl is the older brother”. “seen my brother play twice, once at UNI, SW Missou” How good is d-line? “ we can be as good as we want to be, played the whole N'western game, very frustrating, 10-nothing feeling pretty good and the game switched on us.” Air go out of sidelines? “lets go out and stop them NWestern QB can move around”, “we were motive to beat them last year, we cannot lose to them (NW) again”

“Parker has had huge influence me, he is old school, Parker said, ‘you aren't here because of your talent, but because you work hard' ”took it as a compliment”.

“We recruit projects and Doyle can turn them into starters”. Details of the dust-up with Adrain and Cabbie? “I just wondered how many games he'd be suspended, my understanding is he did not punch cabbie, but I didn't talk to him about it, it is his personal life. Adrain wouldn't hurt.” “if I got in a fight I gonna be suspended, and it's not worth it, I'll let some other guy run their mouth.” Compare Clayborn to Greg Jones? “tough to compare DE to LB, Jones plays w/ a lot of energy.” “wouldn't be surprised if either wont defensive player of the year this year.”

How good can you be this year as defensive unit “as good as we can be, not sure about DB situation”

Any guy you see as a breakout guy? “Jeff Tarpinian, Jordan Bernstein, Tyler Neilsen, not sure about DB”

NW loss last year looking ahead to OSU “absolutely not, we knew Ohio State game was going to be big, we weren't looking ahead at all, and came up short.” How do you make sure you don't repeat the NW game? “ pay attention to details, practice harder, keep moving forward”

Diet “ freshman year it was horrible, just worried about putting weight on, junk food, burgers, pizza, ice Cream, Doyle let me have it when he saw my nutrition sheet” .

Do u guys feel any pressure as a defensive line this year with there being a lot of expectations? I don't feel any pressure, we are just looking to improve from last year, and that is all we can control.

As your roll changed at all as far as leadership with AJ and Pat leaving? I think a little bit, our D line is the most experienced group on the team so people will be looking to us for leadership yes.

Are u going to miss Pat's commentary during the game? Absolutely, he was funny and would say some crazy stuff to the ref's, the other players, he wasn't cocky or anything he was just joking around and having fun during the game.

Are u going to take the roll on? I won't be the comedian in their no.

Is Tarp kind of a vocal guy? No not really

You have put yourself in a position to play at the next level, was that the goal coming in here out of high school? I don't know if it was going to be realistic but year that was always the goal with my brother and I.

Vikings fan or Packers fan? BIG Vikings fan

The SEC is talking about all these guys being contacted by agents, how do u guys handle that? To tell u the truth, I haven't heard anything about this, I don't get any of that.

Coaches are getting on this social media stuff, are u into the social media? I have facebook, but I barely get on it, I just use it in case anyone from Caledonia wants to contact me.

Who do u hang with on the team? I live with Justin Greiner, Ross Peterson and Kyle Hageman.

What is the biggest deer u have taken? Small 9 pointer, nothing to brag about. Fish? I'm not that good of fisherman, prolly a catfish. We fish the mississippi river

When u came in the program that little lul with a 6-6 or 6-7 record, how much pride are u taking in where its at now and keeping it there? No one likes to lose, we are trying to win as many games as possible. That 06 year we were 6-7 after the bowl then the year after we didn't make the bowl, so anyone that was here knows what that was like and doesn't want to go back. They know what the workouts were like, Matt Kroll the toughest guy I've ever known and he was puking after workouts. No one wants to go back to what that was like.

What's it like being in Doyle's doghouse? I don't think u want to be there, he will ride u till u graduate. Come in as a freshman work hard, don't say anything u should be fine.

Were u surprised when coach told u that u were coming to this? Yeah I said I'd think about it but it is a honor and u get to come to Chicago. I just don't like talking that much.

What do u expect when u come in and play Indiana? What expected to do to us when they came down to Iowa last year, they fully expected to beat us, so I guess we expected to do the same.

U guys are expected to do well this year and Indiana isn't expected to do much at all, what do u think of that? Well they still have talent, they can beat any team and any time, u have to take every team seriously.

U had back surgery your true freshman year? What was it? Herniated disk, L4, L5, they were telling me I had hamstring tendanitis but it was a pinched nerve in my leg from my back.

Did it slow u down? Right away yeah, but I got it back

Do u have anything Taxadermied? No, but my dad has 2 deer.

What do u think about the stadiums? Ohio State and Penn State they have some real nice stadiums.

What have ur battles with Wisconsin been like the last couple of years? They always come ready to play, they aren't going to lay down, every year it's been a tough one.

U guys are both expected to be in the top ten when u meet does that make it any more special? We got to play the teams in front of them first u never know we could lose 3 games before we get to play them. Both of us will take it each game at a time and when we get to that game I'm sure both teams will be ready to play.

What are the first things u think of when u think of Wisconsin? Big, they are going to run the ball and hit u in the mouth.

STORY FOR FOX SPORTS (Questions relating to that and can't pick Iowa)

Best coach in the big ten? Every coach

Best offensive player in the big ten? Terrell Pryer

Best defensive player in the big ten? Greg Jones

What venue do u enjoy playing in the most? Penn State, Ohio State , Wisconsin any of those 3.

Best Rivalry in the big ten? Ohio State vs Michigan

What is the best thing about playing in the big ten and being a big ten athlete? The big ten is known for hitting people in the mouth.

Who was your favorite Viking growing up? John Randle

Who was your Favorite Twins player? Kirby Puckett

Do u have any tattoos? No, never, I don't need to put ink in my body

Have u sat back and thought about how far u have come over the last 4 years? The last spring, the teammates have been looking at me like I'm the leader and that's a big honor and I never thought I'd be invited to this and I was.

If u could enter the season with one opponent every year who would it be and why? Minnesota, I like playing them, I have some home town guys that always come and u get to see family afterward.

Is Minnesota your biggest rival in your mind? One of the m for sure, but we just want to beat every team and every win is just as sweet as the other and every loss hurts just as much as the others.

How do think this team will handle the expectations and hype? We put up with it pretty good, we don't listen to what the media has to say for what were ranked and what they think we are going to do.

Eddie McGee from Illinois said that Penn State was the loudest to play and Kinnick was the most hostile, can u talk about this? I heard are fans and pretty awesome, and they get pretty crazy and Penn State was definitely loud.

From a playing perspective can u describe how exciting it is to have all this experience coming back? It is nice, and exciting to have all of us coming back.

Can u talk about how having Greenwood and Sash back there makes ur jobs easier? They are excellent safeties, there cover skills are unbelievable and they give us more time to get to the quarterbacks.

What is your oldest sports memory? Playing in the metro dome in high school with my brother.

If u could have dinner with one person who would it be and why? Will Ferrell, it would be an entertaining meal.

Do u have any pre game ritual? No, just get up and get ready

Which quarterback in the league did u have the most trouble in preparation? A lot of the quarterbacks, but anytime u have Terrelle Pryor or the Michigan quarterbacks anyone that can run and throw as well as they do will give u trouble.

How did u feel u did against Pryor last year? He had some big plays on us, we definitely have to improve on how we prepare for him and the team.

What are the strengths of the defensive line? We have a lot of depth, it's fun to play with them.

With the new faces at linebacker do u feel any pressure to help them out and keep it smooth early on? We have a 5th year guy replacing Pat and a 4th year guy replacing AJ so I feel like we have experience in there already. We just need to be the leaders of the defense.

Do u feel like there was a lesson learned from all the tight games played last year? Yeah we are all aware that a lot of those games could have went either way, if we just play close attention to detail that it will help out and lets us win those close games.

Start out by talking about what the Penn State game means to u guys, u have won the last couple all close games is it turning into a rivalry? I think so, they are always ranked in the top ten when we play them so anytime u get to play a highly ranked opponent u are ready to go so yeah it's kind of turning into a rivalry.

Is there a sense of unfinished business with your class and how close u were to Pasadena? Yeah I think so, we were close to winning the big ten but we didn't do it, so this year it's fairly obvious what we want to win.