This past year was one of change for NIU graduate and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver P.J. Fleck.

The Kaneland native spent much of the year on the 49ers practice squad before being activated for the team’s season finale at New England. In the game, Fleck did not have a reception, but returned a punt for 10 yards in the loss.

Three days after the game, 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson and General Manager Terry Donahue were both fired in a move to revamp the team with the NFL’s worst record. The moves may have meant that Fleck will have to prove himself once again to another coach and another GM.

Shortly after an interview on ESPN during the Huskies’ win over Troy in the Silicon Valley Football Classic, Fleck took some time to answer a few questions as he left the Spartan Stadium.

Northern Star: You were just activated on the 49ers’ roster, tell me what that feels like.

P.J. Fleck: It’s great. A lot of hard work paid off and now I’ve got an opportunity to show them why they activated me.

NS: Tell me how the rookie season has been going?

PF: It’s been a learning experience. I’ve been on the practice squad so I get to go against the ones every day. I’ve gotten a lot better and I’ve learned so much. The game is so much faster and it takes a lot of adjustments.

NS: Any rookie pranks been pulled on you?

PF: Yeah, there’s been a few.

NS: Are there any that stick out to you?

PF: They told me I had a $10,000 fine during one of the preseason games for helmet-to-helmet contact. I believed them. They kept it going and going; I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it.

NS: How nice is it having the bowl in San Jose, so close to San Francisco?

PF: It’s terrific. I only live 10 minutes from here in Santa Clara. It’s real close for me and it’s so nice for them to get an opportunity to come out here where I can see them. Who would have thought out of all the bowls, they’d play in this one?

NS: Were you planning on going wherever they went?

PF: I wasn’t going to be able to – we’ve still got one game to go. It’s pretty tough to get out when you’ve got a game that week.

NS: Who is better: the Huskies this year, or the Huskies from last year?

PF: Well, they’re at the bowl game, so you decide.