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Fighting Illini running back Mikel Leshoure will be in the chat room Tuesday, Nov. 10, to answer fans' questions. Send yours in today.
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| Moderator: Hey everybody, thanks for all the great questions today! Mikel is just finishing up an interview, so he'll be with us in a few minutes. |
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| bryan galesburg il.: MIKEL, doing fine now!! what is the o-line doing different or is it just you and the running backs doing something different now to get the running game going? what ever it is keep it going and GO ILLINI!!!!!!! |
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Mikel Leshoure: Bryan, we definitely change our schemes a bit for each opponent, but I think we're just preparing a little better during the week and we're executing much better on Saturday. |
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| Steve (The Woodlands,TX): Mikel, You've been one of the bright spots this season. With some good momentum going into this weekend against Northwestern, what are the keys for the team to finish the season on a positive roll? ILL-INI! |
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Mikel Leshoure: Steve, great question! I think some of the keys are not getting conservative or comfortable. Don't look past any team and come out with the same energy and intensity that we have the last two weeks. |
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| Duane (FairviewHeights): What up Mikel? Glad to see the team back on the winning track. Any possibility of changing formations to maybe get yourself and Jason Ford on the field at the same time? Or yourself and Justin Green? Good luck with the rest of the season. Go Illini! |
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Mikel Leshoure: Duane, we actually have run some split-back sets with Jason and me in there together, or Daniel and Justin together to exploit the perimeter. It really depends on what we think we can do against each different defense. |
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| Shon, Omaha Ne: How does it feel to be a major part of the Illini's recent success |
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Mikel Leshoure: Shon, it feels good to be given the opportunity to help out the team. My role has changed dramatically since last year and I'm just going to keep doing whatever I can to help the team win! |
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| Garrett (Urbana): Are you jealous of Troy Pollard's hair? |
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Mikel Leshoure: Ha ha! No, I'm not jealous - Troy's been growing his hair out for a long time. Hopefully when I get to that point, my hair will be as long as his! |
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| Dave (Champaign): What goals do you hope to accomplish during your career? |
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Mikel Leshoure: Dave, as far as college I hope to get to a major, big-time bowl game. And the national championship would be great! I also hope to play in the NFL one day. |
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| James (Moline): Hey Mikel! Great season so far! I'm coming to my first Illini game this weekend. Where should I eat in Champaign? |
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Mikel Leshoure: James, there are tons of great options, but if you're looking for some good soul food, check out Seaboat on Kirby, just west of the stadium. They've got some great soul food! |
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| Carrie (Rantoul): Keep doing what you're doing Mikel! My question is what do you think the difference has been these last 2 weeks? There's been a lot of talk about Hawthorne's play against Michigan turning things around. Is it really that simple? |
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Mikel Leshoure: Carrie, I really do think that play turned our season around. Not only that stop but the defense's goal-line stand afterward gave us a boost of confidence. Then we followed with that 99-yard drive and that let us know that when we execute like we know we can, we can compete with anybody in the nation. |
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| Randall. Charleston, Sc: Mikel. First, Congrats on th last two big orange wins. But I do have a question. I have said many times too family back at home how much you remind me of a former Illini who wore #5. Have you styled your running after Rashad and if not who do you think you most run like or who did you pattern yourself after most? |
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Mikel Leshoure: Randall, I get that a lot, but there isn't one specific guy I try to model. I love the way Walter Payton ran and my current favorites are Adrian Peterson and Rashard. Rashard has been playing really well lately, and hopefully I can do some of the things he did and make it to the next level. |
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| Mike / Jackson, MO: Is there a positive vibe in the locker room now that the team has experience some success? |
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Mikel Leshoure: Mike, yes, definitely! There's a lot more confidence and swagger, and we're believing more that we can win. That's the biggest thing - believing that you can win and going out and doing it. |
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| Moderator: Mikel has to run so that's all the questions he can get to today. Thanks everyone for submitting their questions and check back Thursday for a Lunchtime Chat with Illinois Director of Compliance Ryan Squire! |
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