He is one of the smallest players in Division I football at 5-foot-5 and 167 pounds, but Lance Bennett plays big. Against Oregon this year, the sophomore's 98-yard kickoff return for a TD shifted the game's momentum and helped IU upset the ranked Ducks. It was the second-longest return in school history. Against Michigan State, his 94-yard punt return for six-points broke a 14-year-old Hoosier record. Bennett, who also is a top songwriter, ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth in the nation in yards per kick return at 31.41.\nRecently, the Indiana Daily Student sat down to talk to the college football star and budding musician.
Indiana Daily Student: What's the first thing you do when you get back to New York? \nLance Bennett: Check out all my boys on the block, and maybe go to the studio.\nIDS: When you mention to people in Brooklyn that you go to college in Bloomington, what is their reaction? \nLB: There's no special reaction because most people know why I'm out here. My high school football coach is here. \nIDS: Your company is called Third Power Music Group. What does the name mean? \nLB: Me and my two brothers own the company. It's Lenny Bennett, Lamar Bennett and Lance Bennett. That's three L. Bennetts. L. Bennett to the third power. \nIDS: How do you know if a woman is interested in hooking up with you because you're in the music industry?\nLB: The best way to know is to have known her before you got involved in the music industry. But you never really know, except through experience with her and finding out if she's genuine. And if she's in the music business, she can't want me because I'm in the music business (laughing).\nIDS: In recent press coverage, you referred to God's plan for you. How do your religious beliefs help you prepare for game day?\nLB: They help with everything, with paying attention to everything that's around me and with the distractions. I pray all day to keep my body healthy, and I always pray to know what reactions to make and when to make those reactions. \nIDS: What else might you do to get your game face on?\nLB: Listen to music. \nIDS: Who are you listening to?\nLB: Eminem, Daisey, a lot of gospel, Lauryn Hill. I recently heard R. Kelley's new gospel album, and I like that.\nIDS: You took a couple of years off after graduation from high school. What did you learn during that time that helps you now in the classroom?\nLB: I learned to pay attention to the bigger picture. When you know the big picture, it's easier to answer specific questions about dates and facts. And time management, not waiting till the last minute. \nIDS: Which Big Ten opponent taunts you the most for being 5-foot-5? \nLB: Nobody's ever said anything. \nIDS: Other short players in Division I also are lighting up the gridiron this year: University of California at Los Angeles' Maurice Drew at 5-foot-8 and Kansas State's Darren Sproles at 5-foot-7. Should you guys form some sort of club?\nLB: The club won't be too big, so I don't know about that. There's only a couple of us. \nIDS: What was the most exciting part of being involved with Will Smith and "Men in Black II"? \nLB: First, working with my brothers. Second, a legend of (Smith's) caliber being open to our ideas. It wasn't a situation where he was like, "This is how we're going to do it." There were times when we'd think of something, and he'd be impressed. \nIDS: What can you tell us about your next song coming out?\nLB: The name of the song is "Switch," but Switch is a dance also. So it's a dance song. The album should be out in February, but the song will be coming out in December. It's an upbeat, uptempo club song. It should be real hot. \n-- Contact staff writer Bill \nMeehan at wmeehan@indiana.edu.
