 |
| Juice Mitchell |
Wednesday Multimedia:
- GOING DEEP: A look at the Illini scout team
- Head Coach Ron Zook
- TE Michael Hoomanawanui
|
Listen - Ron Zook call-in show--Thursday, 7:05 p.m. CT |
Here's the transcript of this afternoon's chat with Fighting Illini defensive back Kevin Mitchell.
Join us again next Wednesday when we'll present another chat with one of the Illinois players.
|
 |
| Moderator: Please stand by...Juice is in the house. We'll be getting started in just a few minutes. |
 |
|
Juice Mitchell: What's going on, everyone. Glad to have you with us. |
|
| Moderator: Here we go... Our first questions is from Alex in Chicago. |
|
| Alex (Chicago): Juice whats up? How is the team morale doing right now? We all know its been a tough stretch these last 2 games where the team hasn't looked good but is your confidence and focus still there so that you could finish the season strong and maybe pull off an upset or 2?
P.S. If you beat anyone else this year please make it Iowa this weekend!! |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Hey, Alex, hows it going?
It has been kind of rough, but at the same time, there have been bright spots in these last two games that we can build on. To me, we will win more than two games if our guys on both sides of the ball come out and play consistently like we know we can. |
|
|
| James (Mahomet transplant to South Bend): Kevin, Despite some bad luck, the whole defensive unit looked better against Syracuse. You guys are working hard! Keep it up, we are going the right way! There are legions of Illini fans (like me) worldwide who are pulling for you!! |
| Moderator: Thanks for your encouragement, James. We're going to continue to work hard and take this program where it needs to go. I agree that our defense looked better against Syracuse, and I think that performance is just a step in the right direction. It doesn't get any easier, as we are just starting the Big Ten season this week. We'll have to keep playing hard and even better, week in and week out if we're to achieve our goals. |
|
| Mark, (Casper, WY): Hey Juice? I win and lose with you guys. Some Mondays are more difficult than others to walk back into my office. Though this site lets us inside, there is still so much I can learn from the Illini and implement in my company/personal life. Share with us your thoughts on a sometimes over-used word ... team chemistry. Does good team chemistry lead to wins, or do wins build positive team chemistry? How do you mentally and emotionally pick yourself up after a lose that could of been a win? Also, who is the most superstitious player on the team and what are their pregame/game rituals? Upset Iowa - Go Illini! |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Thanks for the good words, Mark. I believe team chemistry is developed over time and plays a major role in terms of teammates playing and vibing well with one another. With chemistry, you can achieve more victories because you are pulling more for each other and it means more to you. I believe, especially on the defensive side, that our chemistry is building every week and as a whole team, it's definitely coming along as well.
After a tough loss, it's always hard, especially when you know you could have won the last game. But I try to pick out the positives and build off of them.
I don't really know of any superstitious guys on the team, but before a game, I always listen to Mary J. Blidge and read the Bible. |
|
|
| Micheal Matthews (Champaign, IL): In last weekends game, you missed a MAJOR tackle that resulted in a touchdown for Syracuse, how do you recover mentally after such a large mistake? |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Michael---I looked at a lot of videotape and so did the coaches. I don't think I missed a big tackle or even any tackles at all. But I made a big hit on the quarterback and he fumbled right to his own teammate. Unfortunately they scored on that play. |
|
|
| Washington, D.C.: Hey nephew!!!) |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Roy Mitchell, my uncle, how are you doing? It was good to see you, Nicole and Maya at the Rutgers game. I planning on calling you back tonight. I'll see you at Penn State! |
|
|
| Tara Harris (Champaign,IL): After working so hard these past couple of years, do you hope to play in the NFL? And if so, where would you like to play at? |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Hey, Tara.
That would really be nice, but you can't count on making to the NFL, because any time you step onto the field, there is the potential of getting hurt. I just try to concentrate on school and preparing to graduate, and the future will take care of itself. If I were fortunate enough to get to play in the NFL, I'd love to go to either the Washington Redskins or the Oakland Raiders. |
|
|
| Mark M. (Chicago): Hi Juice. I've heard that you live on campus in a pretty sweet place called "Fort Monk". Could you tell the fans a little bit about what a college athlete's house is like? Could you tell us a bit about all of your roommates too? Any funny stories about Fort Monk or your roommates? Thanks Juice and good luck this weekend. |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Hi, Mark. As you know, I live at a great place we call Fort Monk, along with J Leman, Spencer Jensen, Drew McMahon, Chris Norwell, Nick Levanti and Chris Roney. The place is great at times, but messy throughout the year, which is its trademark.
People are always hanging out there having a good time, just like at my last birthday, we were having a party and the porch collapsed. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the party continued. |
|
|
| Washington, DC: After solidifying your position at strong safety, leading the team in tackles last year and making preseason (second team) All Big Ten conference, why are the coaches alternating your position with another player when obviously, you are one of a few bright spots on the team? |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: Thanks for the question. Honestly, that's something that you can't really answer as a player. You just have to go out every day and improve upon the things that the coaches ask you to do. When your alternating as I am, you just have to keep a positive attitude and remember that your time will come, and when it does, you have to your best and take advantage of it. |
|
|
| Kyle Bond Fort Wayne, IN: Kevin I follow the Illini Football team and I was curious how is the team feeling coming off 2 losses from non-confrence teams about to enter Big Ten play? |
|
|
Juice Mitchell: What's up Kyle, thanks for writing in.
We're excited. You just have to put those tough games that you should have won behind you and focus on the next opponent, which, this week, is Iowa. They have a nice quarterback in Drew Tate, and we're anxious for kickoff on Saturday. |
|
| Moderator: Juice has a position meeting to get to, so we have to wrap this up. Thanks for all of your questions. Watch right here next week when we'll have another chat with one of his teammates. Go, Illini! |
|
|
