This week's guest: wide receiver DaJuan Warren.

He came to Illinois as a quarterback, but the former staff quickly realized DaJuan Warren's talents were better utilized at receiver. Today, the Detroit area product will try to find holes in Michigan State defense. In three games, he has seven receptions, one more than he had in the entire 2004 season.

Q: You're from Southfield, Mich., which is 75 from the Michigan State campus. Tell us about your first trip there.

A: We went to a couple passing league camps and the Nike camp was held there. It was a nice campus, but it didn't really feel like it was the place for me.

Q: You are a Michigan guy playing against a Michigan school. Why?

A: Illinois seemed like it fit my personality better. It's going to good playing against some of my old friends from back home.

Q: Is this game different to you than others?

A: I try to keep them the same. But I'm going to be out there trying a little bit harder because I've got a lot of friends at Michigan State.

Q: "American Pie" was set partly at Michigan State. Have you seen it?

A: I saw it. It was an OK movie. Kind of silly.

Q: Would Southfield have whipped fictional "East Great Falls High" in football?

A: Yes, I think so.

Q: Sparty the mascot: Cool dude or big dork?

A: I think big dork. He's kind of irritating. During the game, he's jumping around and never calms down. I don't really like him too much.

Q: Favorite thing about Detroit?

A: My friends, all the people I grew up with. My family's there.

Q: Least favorite thing about Detroit?

A: There's a lot of violence there. It can get rough at times. My early years, I had a couple of friends who got into trouble.

Q: When you tell people you are from there, what's the first thing they ask you about?

A: They always ask me about the murders. They get a misconception. I set them straight.

Q: Detroit's known as the "Motor City." What are you driving these days?

A: A 2005 Grand Prix.

Q: Built in?

A: It's a GM car. My mom works for GM.

Q: Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Red Wings. Place them in your order of importance?

A: Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, Tigers. The Pistons are winners. Basketball is my first love. Lions second because it's football. The Red Wings, they're constantly winning. I'm not watching baseball too much. I'm not a baseball type of guy.

Q: All-time favorite Lion?

A: Barry Sanders, Herman Moore and Mel Gray. Not too many good quarterbacks came from the Lions.

Q: For fun, do kids in Detroit go across the border and bother the Canadians?

A: Most of the clubs are 19. Before I turned 21, we went over there.

Q: How much would you like Illinois to get invited to the Motor City Bowl?

A: It would be real cool because I have a lot of family there.

Q: There are a bunch of Detroit guys on the team. Are you close?

A: I think so. We're pretty much together all the time.

Q: You started out as a quarterback at Illinois. What would be your situation had you stayed at that position?

A: I think I would have developed into a pretty good quarterback.

Q: Be honest, you can throw the ball farther than Tim Brasic, right?

A: I'm not sure right now. Tim's got a good arm. I'm just worried about catching them.

Q: That first option pass worked out OK. Are you mad at the Rutgers guy for interfering and messing up your touchdown?

A: I can't say that I am because I underthrew it. It probably would have been a clean interception. It worked out well.

Q: Would you like to throw another pass?

A: Yeah, I would. I'm pretty much 0 for 2 in my career. Last year against Indiana I had a reverse pass. I fumbled the snap because I was looking at the defensive end. I picked it up and threw it. It was a pretty good pass. It should have been pass interference. No call.

Q: What was the hardest part of the transition from quarterback to receiver?

A: All the little things. Coming out of your break fast, knowing the right depth without looking at the down, getting used to catching the ball.

Q: You were a standout basketball player at Southfield. Are you the best basketball player on the football team?

A: Maybe so. Maybe. I'm pretty good.

Q: Who else is in the starting five?

A: Melvin Bryant, Sharriff Abdullah, Anthony Thornhill, Chris Norwell or Travis Williams.

Q: Who are smarter, receivers or defensive backs?

A: Defensive backs maybe, because they have to read.

Q: Who are tougher, receivers or running backs?

A: The running backs. Pierre, E.B. and Rashard take a beating every day in practice.

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

A: I'm going to have to stick with the receivers on this one. We'll a little bit slimmer. Some girls like the muscular guys.

Q: Later in this interview, we will ask you to tell us something people don't know about you. Tell us something people don't know about one of your teammates.

A: Kendrick Jones doesn't like to have things tight around his neck. I don't know what that is. It's weird. It doesn't bother me.

Q: Who is your favorite female entertainer?

A: That's a tough one. Probably Halle Berry.

Q: OK, a night on the town with Halle or two touchdown catches and a win against Michigan State?

A: Two touchdowns and a win against Michigan State. I can see Halle in the movies.

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

A: Before the game, I like to write my mom's name on everything. I put her name on the bottom of my cleats, I just put "Mom." On the tape on my wrists. I have a tattoo of her name also. My mom is pretty much my backbone.