One of the most highly touted players to sign with Illinois in recent years, Corey Liuget is starting to show what all the hype was about. The sophomore defensive tackle from Miami is tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks and tied for second with 5.5 tackles for loss.

Q: How does it feel to win a Big Ten game?

A: It feels good. We're just trying to keep moving forward and give our all in practice.

Q: What was it like in the locker room after the win?

A: It was a great feeling. Everybody was excited. To come in on Sunday morning and be able to hold our heads high, knowing we beat these guys. You just feel like that was the turnaround for the season.

Q: You are 2-0 against Michigan.

A: Freshman year, we went there and beat them and we come back home and embarrass them again.

Q: You're from Florida, but you understand that beating Michigan is a good thing.

A: I know all about the Michigan history.

Q: Ever any doubt the team would play that kind of game?

A: Not at all. Coach (Ron) Zook doesn't want anyone thinking like that.

Q: You have played in every game, but you've been hurting, right?

A: Yes. Right now, I'm feeling 100 percent. The last two weeks, I wasn't quite myself coming off the ball. Now, I'm full speed, ready to go. It's a sprained ankle. It happened against Penn State on a punt return. I was running down and a guy came and blindsided me while my right leg was planted.

Q: Why not just sit a game or two and heal up?

A: I just can't feel sorry for myself. The guys on the next level, they fight through pain. You can't fight through injury, because you're out of the game. But you can fight through pain.

Q: Apparently, you took a cheap shot from a Michigan player (Mark Ortman) Saturday. What happened?

A: I picked up the fumble. I scooped it and I just got up so excited, like "I got the ball." I'm running and the guy, he was right in my way. So, I just stopped to hand the ball to the ref. All of the sudden, I just feel a sharp pain going up through my stomach. It was a low blow.

Q: That's not nice.

A: Not at all, especially on the football field. I said something to the ref, waiting for him to throw the flag. I tried to man up, stand tall, but the pain got real excruciating. I just had to walk on off the field. It was fist most definitely. I know who it was, 71, Ortman.

Q: Has that happened before?

A: First time.

Q: Like Hammer sings, are you too legit, too legit to quit?

A: I hear that almost every day in practice. The coaches, the players and even some of the students when I'm going to class.

Q: How is your last name really pronounced?

A: It's French, so it's Lu-zhay.

Q: You were making fun of Tate Forcier for his name.

A: I'm a French guy myself. My father was Haitian.

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

A: The freedom. Just being away and feeling safe.

Q: Did you not feel safe at home?

A: Some days I did. Some days I didn't. I moved around a lot. Each one of those areas was rough for me growing up.

Q: Did people pick on a guy your size?

A: At first in elementary, guys used to pick on me. I got tired of it. One day I bowed up and said, "No more."

Q: Least favorite thing?

A: Not being able to see family. I miss grandmother, mother first of all, brother, sisters and my godfather, Mr. Ernest (Knight). He helped take care of me. He was a father figure after my father passed away.

Q: Speaking of cold, do you know the game at Minnesota is going to be outside?

A: Yes. I'm getting my mind mentally prepared for it. Our winter, it's 60. Last year, it was tough. I was dressing in layers. This year, I can go out in shorts.

Q: Are you happy you picked Illinois?

A: This is working out to be a great thing for me. It's keeping me focused being away from home. There would be a lot of distractions down at home. I am happy I picked Illinois.

Q: Ever wonder what would have happened had you stayed at home?

A: Some days, I put it out of my head. Some days, I think about it. Every weekend, I would have gone home and I would have never gotten the college experience.

Q: You've said Illinois will win a national title during your career.

A: Yes. I still feel strongly about that. We're going to win a big bowl. We're going to win the BCS before I leave this place.

Q: How big of a loss has Martez Wilson been?

A: We've stopped the run, but we haven't stopped it how we've wanted to. His appearance out on the field, teams are going to check their plays. They're going to audible because they don't know where he's coming from. He's a freak. It's been big not having out there. We want to see him and Miami (Thomas) back out there, having fun.

Q: Dolphins or Marlins?

A: Dolphins. I went to a couple games. My senior year, I made Dolphins Player of the Week. They invited me to the game and gave me a nice plaque.

Q: Heat or Panthers?

A: Heat. I like hockey.

Q: Do you watch "CSI: Miami"?

A: Yes. Most of it is filmed on the beach. I see it and I'm like, "I know where that's at."

Q: Who are tougher, defensive linemen or offensive linemen?

A: Of course, I'm going to roll with the defensive linemen.

Q: Who are smarter, defensive linemen or running backs?

A: I'm going to go with defensive linemen. We have to look at which way is he stepping, which way is he moving.

Q: Who does better with women, defensive linemen or kickers?

A: That's a good one. I'm going to have to go with the defensive linemen again.

Q: What do you want to do with your life after football?

A: I want to be able to help someone the way coach Alex Terry helped me in Miami. He got me out of the bad school that I was at. He kept me on track. I gave him so many headaches. He kept me focused. He rode me. That's why I'm here, being successful.

Q: When are you going to get into the offensive backfield and score a touchdown?

A: I want to get back there. I want to punch one in. I believe it's going to happen.

Q: Do you miss the sun?

A: Yeah, because that puts me in a better mood.

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

A: Corey Lewis snores loud. I can hear him from my room to his room. And Ian Thomas can sing. I believe he'd be voted to go on "American Idol." He can sing anything. He can go Aretha Franklin on you one day. He can go Alicia Keys. He can do it all.

Q: Who is your favorite female entertainer?

A: Keyshia Cole.

Q: A night on the town with Keyshia Cole or three sacks in a win against Minnesota?

A: I'm taking three sacks and a win against Minnesota. She'll be around.

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

A: A couple of my roommates tell me I talk in my sleep. A couple of football plays. Down right, left, left. Something like that.