Athlete of the Week

Editor’s note: Junior cornerback Antoine Cason was named the Pacific 10 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week Monday following his four-tackle performance that also included a game-winning interception return for a touchdown. The Arizona Daily Wildcat caught up with Cason after practice yesterday to get his thoughts on the award, Oregon’s uniforms and his representation in the latest NCAA video game.

Wildcat: After your interception, you’re taking it back, and you’ve got the ball in your hand. What’s going through your mind in that moment?

Cason: I don’t even know. It’s like, “”Wow, I did it.”” Like, “”Finally, I’ve done it.”” And, you know, it’s about the team. It was a team effort, and we all played well. It was just for everybody.

W: Is that something you’ve been waiting a long time to do?

C: Oh, of course. I’ve been waiting for that since I’ve got here. I’ve been waiting to get an interception for a touchdown – I hear about it around here, you know, 10 interceptions and no touchdowns. So finally I got one, and it feels real good.

W: Your defensive award, two in a row – what’s that mean to you?

C: That means a lot. And I feel that I’ve been playing a little better each week. I still have to work on some things, of course, and I’m still working on that this week as well. So I still have some things to work on, but that’s a great honor, and I’m appreciative of it.

W: Earlier this season, you said the Oregon receivers were a group you were looking forward to matching up with.

C: And those guys were talked about all at the beginning of the season, that they’re pretty good and they run pretty good routes and this and that, and it’s just a challenge. And that’s why I want to go against them, because of the challenge. I feel the whole secondary is willing to take on that whole challenge as well, so we’ll be prepared.

W: You shut down (USC wideout) Dwayne Jarrett pretty well. Any predictions for Oregon?

C: (Laughs) No, just go out and compete. Just spread the word that we’re all coming to compete, and our goal is go to Oregon and win that, too. So we’ve got to get some interceptions and shut those guys down as well.

W: What about those Oregon uniforms?

C: Oh man, they have plenty of them. It’s like they switch every other year, so it’s just like, “”Wow.”” But you know, that’s just, I guess, an exciting thing for their program, and we just have to go in there and get a win.

W: Do you have any superstitions?

C: No superstitions, actually.

W: Nothing? Really?

C: No. With football? No, I don’t think so. I just go in there and play.

W: What about any of the NCAA video games – you play any of those?

C: Oh, of course.

W: So did they accurately represent you (as the top cornerback in the game)?

C: Oh, they really did. (Smiles.) You know, of course I’m going to think that. I’m not going to think anything less, but it feels good. And I feel that I’m playing up to that potential, what was said, but there’s still some people who think I can play better. And I think I can play better. So I’m excited.

W: Do you have any hidden talents? You can’t like sing or anything, can you?

C: (Laughs) No, I can’t sing. I have no hidden talents.

W: No superstitions, no hidden talents.

C: No, I’m just kind of a laid-back guy. I just chill out, relax. I don’t know.

W: All right, this or that …Game-saving tackle or game-winning touchdown?

C: Game-saving tackle.

W: 115-degree heat or snow?

C: Snow – no, heat.

W: Spiderman or Superman?

C: Superman.

W: “”Jackass 2″” or “”Borat””?

C: “”Jackass 2.”” I haven’t seen “”Borat.””