NIU redshirt freshman Jake Smith’s home wrestling debut couldn’t have gone much better.

The 197-pound Wyoming transfer outlasted Northwestern junior Carl Howe Friday night to give the Huskies a crucial 3-0 lead, en route to an upset of the fifth-ranked Wildcats.

The Nebraska native took some time before practice to talk about everything from his Nebraska roots to being close to the Windy City.

Northern Star: After being at Wyoming, what made you transfer to NIU?

Jake Smith: I was expecting a lot better workout partners, so I went up and asked if they were gonna get any more big guys, but they didn’t get any, so I left.

NS: What was there to do for fun at Wyoming?

JS: Hunt and fish.

NS: Did you do that a lot?

JS: Yeah, all the time.

NS: Have you had the chance to hunt or fish around here yet?

JS: Not yet, but I want to.

NS: What do you like most about NIU? The least?

JS: I like the people. They’re down to earth people. I like how it’s a small town outside of a bigger town like Chicago. You get the best of both worlds. What I don’t like – definitely the cold wind.

NS: Being from Nebraska, are you a big Huskers fan?

JS: Both of my brothers play football there so…

NS: Do you go to a lot of football games?

JS: Yeah, when I’m home.

NS: If NIU played Nebraska in football, who do you go for?

JS: Northern, of course.

NS: Have you been to Chicago yet?

JS: Not yet. It’s something I’m planning on doing.

NS: Since there are no pro sports in Nebraska, which professional teams do you root for?

JS: Yeah, there are none, that’s why I just follow college sports.

NS: Since you’re here, are you just going to fall into being a Cubs or White Sox fan?

JS: I guess I’ll cheer for what I’m close to.