Posted 10/06/05
Brandon Ehret is a senior linebacker and co-captain of the UW-Platteville football team. He leads the Pioneers into battle Saturday at 1 p.m. against three-time league champion UW-La Crosse at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
Before we get into the UW-La Crosse game, let's go back to last week, when you had a bye. How helpful was that?
"We really got back to the basics and also started getting guys healthy. It was really helpful to us this week. We had a lot of guys banged up, so now we can start getting ready for La Crosse."
Are you looking forward to getting back on the field Saturday for a game?
"I'm real excited for this week. We're playing a team that's been the big dog and top-notch in this conference."
What personally do you have to do?
"I need to be a playmaker. That's part of my responsibility, that and looking out for the younger guys on the team."
One of the younger guys is your brother, Brad. How is it having a brother on your team?
"It's really fun, actually. We watch film, and he can watch me and hopefully see what I do and learn from me. I can help him out, and it's really good for him ... He does critique me, too."
Will that make Family Weekend more special?
"It's pretty fun. We'll have some family and friends come up, and it just makes it fun having my brother on the team."
If you had a crystal ball or magic powers, where would you see the Pioneers at the end of the season?
"I'm not into making predictions, but if we get healthy bodies back and play up to our potential, we definitely have the possibility of being at the top of the conference."
The coaches have stressed the Pioneers are just a game out of first place.
"We just have to get back to the basics and play football, and have fun doing it. We have that ability."
What has been the most fun you've here in a Pioneer uniform?
"Just being part of this team has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Some of the great things that happened last year when were 6-4, helping the Pioneers to their first winning season in 12 years."
I thought you were going to say the game against Drake, when you were the national player of the week and all the recognition that went with it. You were so close to scoring on your interception return. Is that something, as a playmaker, that you'd like to do, carry one in for a score?
"I definitely would like to get into the end zone. That would be a goal."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson