You were named the NAIA defensive player of the week by the Beyond Sports Network after making 16 tackles against Central Methodist University Saturday. How special is that honor for you?<strong>You were named the NAIA defensive player of the week by the Beyond Sports Network after making 16 tackles against Central Methodist University Saturday. How special is that honor for you?</strong> You were named the NAIA defensive player of the week by the Beyond Sports Network after making 16 tackles against Central Methodist University Saturday. How special is that honor for you?
It’s very special to be one of a few players selected out of, you know, hundreds upon hundreds of us playing. So, definitely I feel very honored to receive the award.
How much does it help to have Matt Brock as a linebackers coach after he played with you the past few seasons?<strong>How much does it help to have Matt Brock as a linebackers coach after he played with you the past few seasons?</strong> How much does it help to have Matt Brock as a linebackers coach after he played with you the past few seasons?
Oh definitely. The nice thing about that is having played with Brock is that we kind of have a different relationship dynamic. He kind of knows what I don’t understand about the defenses in the past years playing with me. It’s easy for me to communicate with him. He understands the question of what I’m asking, so yeah, it’s nice.
After being sidelined with an injury all of last season, how good does it feel to be back on the field?<strong>After being sidelined with an injury all of last season, how good does it feel to be back on the field?</strong> After being sidelined with an injury all of last season, how good does it feel to be back on the field?
After having to step away for the injuries and having time to really see it from the big picture, it increased my appreciation for the game, big time. I don’t necessarily say I was taking for granted before, but it’s definitely a new excitement to be back on the field with my teammates after having that taken away for awhile.
Speaking of injuries, senior Adam Steele is playing right next to you at outside linebacker and is fighting through a stress fracture in his tibia, a fractured greater tuberosity, an inflamed rotator cuff and other less severe injuries. How much does that motivate you to give it your all on every play when he’s right next to you playing through all of those injuries?<strong>Speaking of injuries, senior Adam Steele is playing right next to you at outside linebacker and is fighting through a stress fracture in his tibia, a fractured greater tuberosity, an inflamed rotator cuff and other less severe injuries. How much does that motivate you to give it your all on every play when he&#8217;s right next to you playing through all of those injuries?</strong> Speaking of injuries, senior Adam Steele is playing right next to you at outside linebacker and is fighting through a stress fracture in his tibia, a fractured greater tuberosity, an inflamed rotator cuff and other less severe injuries. How much does that motivate you to give it your all on every play when he’s right next to you playing through all of those injuries?
A lot. No matter who it is, whether it be Steele or anybody who is playing through pain or even fatigue or anything like that. When there is someone playing hard next to you for you, it definitely motivates you to do the same thing for them.
The team you are playing Saturday in Missouri Valley College has what is considered to be one of the best defenses in the nation. How much pressure does that put on the Baker defense this week, knowing that points will be very hard to come by in this matchup?<strong>The team you are playing Saturday in Missouri Valley College has what is considered to be one of the best defenses in the nation. How much pressure does that put on the Baker defense this week, knowing that points will be very hard to come by in this matchup?</strong> The team you are playing Saturday in Missouri Valley College has what is considered to be one of the best defenses in the nation. How much pressure does that put on the Baker defense this week, knowing that points will be very hard to come by in this matchup?
A great deal more, certainly. I always like to think there are two defenses in the HAAC: us and (Missouri Valley), so it is always exciting to get to play them. So, it will be a defensive battle. I don’t want to say that automatically to take away anything from our offense. I think our offense will put points on the board, but I definitely know we’ll have a bigger role.