Outside the lines: Meet junior Sean Murnane

Senior Reporter Dave Jones spoke with junior defensive tackle Sean Murnane about his life off the field, his play on the field and why he’s called “The Hurricane.”

Dave Jones: Do you ever get noticed around campus or in the classroom?
Sean Murnane: Yeah, people in my class who know I play football usually say, ‘Good win,’ like more so as a team — good team win.

DJ: Do you ever seek out that spotlight?
SM: I don’t feel like I, maybe, have as much as Dan (LeFevour) or Antonio (Brown), but I’m sure that the people who used to play here know who I am, like the inside. It’s a small crowd, but there’s a crowd.

DJ: And that’s all you need, right?
SM: Yeah. I don’t really care. As long as Nick (Bellore, junior linebacker) is doing good, then that means I’m doing good.

DJ: What do you do on an off day?
SM: I’d probably take care of my body — that’s the most important thing. But I love TV series, like Entourage, and some other ones. My Sunday nights are pretty fun with that lineup on HBO (laughs).

DJ: How about ‘practice is over and the day is done?’
SM: I like to go home and watch film (laughs). I watch film all day.

DJ: You prepare that much?
SM: Yeah. I’m mean, I don’t really do that much. If I’m not watching a TV series, then I’m sleeping (laughs). And if it’s not a TV series, then I’m taking care of my body.

DJ: On game day, how do you get prepared?
SM: I like to get dressed really early; I like to get my stuff on, even though we don’t have to get out to the field until the end. I go out on the field always in my shell and just run around with (senior defensive ends) Frank Zombo and Sam Williams and just do some light jogs, and that’s when I get mentally ready for the game.

DJ: When I played ball, I used to get anxious for that first hit. How are you?
SM: I’m nervous. I get nervous but, once I get out there and get that first hit, you can kind of feel what they’re going to be bringing and what you’re bringing. Usually I’m bringing more, so I feel good about it (laughs).

DJ: Why do they call you “Hurricane Murnane?”
SM: That’s just me — that’s how I play. I’m kind of wild out there (laughs).