Starting right tackle, Jake VerStraete, cannot wait to hit somebody. Since last December, he has been trying to pass the time just for the chance to use his 6-foot-7, 311-pound frame to level whoever stands in his way. From walk-on freshman to anchor of the offensive line, the fifth-year senior, who has started 29 consecutive games for the Huskies, is just waiting for Saturday to role around as quick as possible.

Northern Star: How excited are you for the upcoming game against Maryland?

Jake VerStraete: Oh, man, I can’t wait anymore. I know we are all getting sick of hitting our own teammates. There is just so much time between the seasons, and it just kills me because right now it seems like I haven’t played a game in forever.

NS: So after last season, is this game the one you are looking forward to most?

JV: Not really. It’s just the next game for me. Right now that ‘next game’ is Maryland, so that is the team I’m going to focus on and prepare for.

NS: Now, last season the offensive line was considered the weakest link of the team, and this year it’s the strength. What do you contribute to that?

JV: Last year, we really were pegged as the weak link, but I think as the weeks went on, we kept getting a little stronger and a little better game by game. But this year, we have almost everybody back, and the experience we gained last season is really going to show through this year.

NS: Being your fifth season, do you have any favorite moments while playing for NIU?

JV: I kind of just remember different things from different games throughout my career here.

NS: What about from last year?

JV: Probably standing on the sidelines at the end of the Maryland game. I really didn’t know what had happened on the last play because all I saw was the last pass go up, and then I saw the whole team run out onto the field and that’s when I knew we had won.

NS: So after practice is done for the day, what do you do to try and relax when you get home?

JV: Well, I have class after practice a few of the days, but mostly I just go home and try and chill out. I’ll make myself something to eat, do my homework and watch a little TV.

NS: Speaking of eating, you are one of the biggest guys on the team and probably twice the size of me. What exactly do you eat to get that big?

JV: (Laughs) Well my parents really fed me well when I was younger. A whole lot of steak and porkchops, so I’m really just a big meat and potatoes guy.