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After spending the first half of the season on the sidelines, Jacob Charest is now an important part of the Illinois game plan. The redshirt freshman quarterback from North Carolina is expected to get on the field early today against Michigan. He was solid in his first college game, hitting 4 of 8 passes last Saturday at Purdue.

Q: How did it feel to finally get on the field?

A: It was a great feeling. It was really exciting. Not quite as nerve-racking as I thought it was going to be, but still a little nerve-racking.

Q: When did you first hear from parents after the game?

A: My dad had texted me three times before I even got in the locker room. He texted me during the game. I had to wait until I got back to campus to call him. I don't think we're supposed to have cell phones on the bus. I don't do it because I don't want to get in trouble.

Q: You looked like you were in charge on the field. Is that true?

A: I tried to be. I felt like the offense responded pretty well to how I was running things. The offense has to have a little bit of faith in you.

Q: Are you best Illinois quarterback ever from North Carolina?

A: That's a trick question. I guess so. I guess the best and worst and everything.

Q: What did you think of the 2005 Illinois-North Carolina basketball title game?

A: I was in seventh or eighth grade. My dad was a huge N.C. State fan. What he used to do back when State was good and they were winning all those championships, he would make a shrine in front of the TV of N.C. State stuff. I was a big Carolina basketball fan. My dad told me to make a shrine in front of the TV for the basketball game. I did and Carolina won. I was rooting for Carolina. I would have to root for Illinois now.

Q: Have you had your swine flu shot?

A: I had a flu shot. I don't know if I had a swine flu shot.

Q: What's the deal with the hair?

A: I can't tell you the real reason, I'll just say I like the style.

Q: You can't tell us the real reason?

A: It's embarrassing. I have a really big forehead, so I have to have long hair.

Q: How much is the haircut?

A: Normally, $17 to 20.

Q: Bobcats or Panthers? A: Panthers, definitely. I'm a New Orleans Hornets fan in basketball. I used to go to the Hornets games all the time.

Q: Heels or Blue Devils?

A: Tar Heels.

Q: Did you have a chance to go to North Carolina?

A: They recruited me for a little bit. But the first kid they offered committed. They were only going to take one quarterback. I would have thought about it.

Q: Which of the nonquarterbacks on the team is the best quarterback?

A: I guess Eddie (McGee) now. But before Eddie moved to receiver, it would be (Jarred) Fayson because he played quarterback in high school. He's got a real good arm.

Q: Who thinks he can throw, but really can't?

A: Jeff Cumberland. He can throw the ball real far. He just chucks it as far as he can.

Q: Your brother is going to be playing at the Division I-AA level next season. Have you suggested he sign with Southern Illinois so you can play against him?

A: Actually, that wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm sure he'll stay closer to home.

Q: What's your favorite thing about C-U?

A: Right now, all the people I know. I have a lot of friends here.

Q: Least favorite?

A: Corn. All the corn. It's just so flat. It's a little different from where I'm from.

Q: Can you picture Kurt Beathard playing college football?

A: Yeah, because we watched film one of his game films. He was a good quarterback. He could throw.

Q: Who is your all-time favorite athlete from North Carolina?

A: Obviously, Michael Jordan's up there. It's got to be Michael Jordan.

Q: Can you run? A: Yeah, I can.

Q: If we timed you in the 40, where would you be on the team?

A: I'd beat a good amount of people.

Q: Where would you be among the quarterbacks?

A: Eddie is fast. Juice is probably a little bit faster than me. Nate (Scheelhaase) can move. All the walk-on guys, I think I could beat.

Q: Who are smarter, quarterbacks or linebackers?

A: Quarterbacks. Linebackers like to think they're smart.

Q: Who are tougher, quarterbacks or kickers?

A: Quarterbacks. The kickers don't do anything. Derek Dimke's pretty tough. He tries to get in there and make tackles.

Q: Who does better with women, quarterbacks or receivers?

A: Eddie has a girl. Juice has a fiance. I have a girlfriend. Nate has a girlfriend. Sean (Anderson) has a girlfriend. I'd have to say the quarterbacks. The receivers talk a lot about girls, but the quarterbacks are more loyal to girls.

Q: If you weren't playing quarterback, what position?

A: Pitcher. I would loved to play tight end in football.

Q: How good were you in wrestling?

A: I qualified for states when I was a sophomore. I didn't wrestle my senior year, but I was ranked fourth in my weight (215) going in.

Q: Think there are many Division I-A quarterbacks who wrestled?

A: I don't know any of them. It's not a very common thing to see.

Q: Were there times when you got discouraged with your role here?

A: Yes, I did. I wasn't mad at anybody. I was more mad at myself. I was trying to figure out what was going on, why wasn't I going out there. I just stuck in there.

Q: Is everything different now?

A: It's so much more fun. It's a lot more exciting.

Q: Illinois has beaten Michigan once at Memorial Stadium since 1958. Your thoughts.

A: It's about time for it to change. That's pretty weird. I did not know that until today. That's ridiculous.

Q: In a few questions, I'm going to ask you tell me something people don't know about you. But first, tell me something people don't know about one of your teammates.

A: Hubie (Graham), don't be mad at me, but every morning, around 6:30, Hubie has something wrong with his nasal passages. He always gets buildup in his throat when he sleeps at night. And he always wakes up and has to hock loogies in the morning. The bad part is that he has to make it as loud as possible so he wakes everybody in the apartment up. He doesn't do it intentionally.

Q: Who is your favorite female entertainer?

A: It's got to be Megan Fox.

Q: OK, a night on the town with Megan Fox or four touchdown passes in a win against Michigan?

A: I'm going to have to go with the four touchdown passes and the win against Michigan. Megan Fox, she's going to forget about me later. Who doesn't want four touchdown passes?

Q: Tell me something people don't know about you.

A: Normally, when people ask me this question, I talk about the wrestling thing. I've got a hidden skill. You know the kip-ups, when you lay on your back and you throw your legs forward, like ninjas in movies? I can do that. I'll do it right now.