University of California Athletics

From Rourke Padraig in Los Angeles: Hey Sekou, wussup! A name like that has got to be NFL bound! I heard Chad Morton say he was goin' to run circles around you. And I also heard Cade McKnown say he'll just run away fom you. Give me your comments on their comments.

Sekou Sanyika: "In a competitive sport like football, guys always are going to talk some trash. That's just part of the game. I don't know whether they really said any of that stuff, but you always have to prove it, come game time."

From Michael Cypers in Los Angeles: The Cal defense is developing into a dominant force, and you are a prime performer. Where do you see the Cal football program going in your next 2 years and beyond??

SS: "Our defense is getting better and better and most of the credit should go to Coach Setencich. Defense is all about mentality and he's brough a real defensive mentality, about being tough and playing hard. The last two years, we were all freshmen and sophomores and now we're all juniors and seniors, so I can see us getting better and better. He also is allowing us to do more things as we know his system and can handle those things, so that will also help us become a better defense."

From Deborah Major in Baltimore, MD: What preparations do you do pre-game or after that focuses you on your mission as a key defensive player? Specifically the feelings after tackling a player and or sacking the QB?

SS: "Actually, preparations for games begins early in the week when I come in to look at films and begin breaking them down and focus in on what my assignments will be. Before the game, I'm pretty much in a zone. I try to stay relaxed and think about battle at hand. It's important to find a balance, to be tense but not overly tense, loose, but not overly loose.

It always feels good when you make a big play and contribute to the defense, but I try to put that play behind me right away. It doesn't matter if I make a big play or if I get beat, I have to remain focused and prepared for what' s coming next. It's a pretty complex game and our defense is one that you have to know your assignments. I'm already figuring out down and distance, understanding what looks we're getting in terms of formations, blocking schemes, different plays, the time of the game. All of that makes it kind of a chess match, so you can't get too carried away."

From Chris in San Francisco: Hey Sekou, Is it true they call you "nuts?" Why?

SS: "That is true. When I was in junior high school my frineds nicknamed Cou-nut, because my name was Sekou and I guess I was a little bit nuts. When I was a freshman here at Cal, I got that nickname tatooed on my right bicep and some of the guys on the team, Matt Beck specifically, shortened it and started calling me Nuts."

From Ed Yee in Mountain View, CA: The defense has been great this year. Can you tell me the major factors why it has improved so much from last year? Has Coach Setencich been a big influence?

SS: "Coach Setencich would be the primary reason why we've improved. As I said earlier, we were pretty young the last two years, but that game experience helped. Coach Setencich did a great job last year in letting us learn the system and not overloading us with too much. Now, we've added some new wrinkles and it's really helping us. I think we have a veteran defense now that understands the system, and when you add in, that mentality that he's brought about playing hard, it's a pretty good combination for success."

From Mike Munday in San Bruno, CA: What causes a defensive player to look to intercept the ball rather than just knocking it down?

SS: "It's just judgement. If you think you can get both hands on the ball and make the pick, you go for it. But, you also don't want to take any unnecessary risks. When I got one of my interceptions against Houston earlier this season, I was just going to knock it down, but when the ball was in the air, I decided I could make the play. Instincts really take over at that point."

From Ray in Berkeley, CA: Being in the student section, I hear the "Hit Squad " cheer a lot, and every time I do, it seems like the defense just gets pumped. Is that true and how do you feel about it?

SS: "Definitely, whenever we hear our fans saying that chant, it energizes us. If we're tired, we forget about ouer fatique. It's our rally cry, our sign of unity on defense. When we break the huddle, we say it and when we hear other people joining in on the chant, it makes us feel really good. We all love to hear it."

From Randy Chong in Berkeley, CA: Did coming from such a small high school affect your play early and how surprised were you at the level of play in the Pac-10? By the way, you're doing a phenomenal job and make us Stevenson alums proud (RLS 89)

SS: "It was a big jump moving from small league at Stevenson to the Pac-10 level, but it's really a big jump for anybody coming from any high school. Every freshman is pretty much shocked at how much bigger, stronger and faster the players are at this level and we all have to make the adjustments. For me, being able to redshirt my first year at Cal was a big factor. I got to play scout team against our offense and learn without the pressure of playing in games. During that time, I got bigger and stronger and felt much more comfortable by the second year in the program. I'm glad to meet another Stevenson alum. I was just down there last week, during our bye week, and saw them win another football game. I still support the program. My friends and I like to take responsibility and are proud of the fact that we helped turn the football program around. They have just kept winning since we've left and I hope that keeps up".

From Steve Schroeder in San Jose, CA: Do you feel that the defense should blitz more, especially against young, inexperienced quarterbaacks like those at USC this week and Washington (Huard injured) next week? Also, do any of the reserves or redshirt freshman impress you for the future?

SS: "Coach Setencich pretty much has a plan that we execute each game. He definitely recongzies the experience factor of opponent offenses and quarterbacks and calls blitzes accordingly. We actually blitz a lot, and I think you can look forward to even more of that in the future. As far as the younger players, the one that stands out to me is LaShawn Ward, our freshman cornerback. He looks phenomenal athletically. He just extremely talented and I expect big things out of him. We also have a number of receivers on our scout team that have impressed me including Eddie Macha and Omar Bennett."

From Sam Tregea in Berkeley, CA: Who is the best lineman you have played against, and what made him so good?

SS: "It was probably my former teammate Tarik Glenn who has been the toughest to go against. He was 350 pounds, but so athletic and had such good feet, it was pretty impressive to see him move. Juan Roque a few years back from Arizona State was also very good, But, I really don't go up against the offensive line guys that much at my position, I go head-to-head mostly with the tight ends. I've faced a bunch of great players. Last year, I faced four players who went on to the NFL -- Shaun Alexander from Oklahoma, Josh Bradley from Louisiana Tech and both of Washington's tight ends Cameron Cleeland and Jeremy Brigham."

From Mashariki Kurudisha in Hercules, CA: Are you surprised to have your mom ask you a question on the Internet?

SS: "I love you mom and without you none of this would be possible."

From Willie Mingo in New Orleans, LA: I read an article that you are a decendent of Harriet Tubman, is this true?

SS: "Not that I know of. I am, however, a native of New Orleans. As far as I know, I don't have any famous relatives like that."