Greer set to energize UA defense

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior defensive tackle Daniel Greer (48) walks off the field at Arizona Stadium after Saturday's 45-7 win over NLU. Greer had six tackles and a game-high three sacks against the Indians.

"I'm gonna do the best I can," said Greer of Saturday's game against Oregon. "I am pretty excited about it (the game) and I want this energy to carry over to make it a good game."

Last weekend, against Northeast Louisiana, Greer's energy on the defensive side was also charged. He had three sacks and six tackles against the Indians.

"I could have done better," Greer said of his performance. "There are always aspects in some plays that need to be worked on."

And to fine tune those aspects, it is "practice, practice, practice," Greer said, that he will concentrate on before he takes on the Ducks.

Greer is close to completing his senior year at Arizona, after coming here as a freshmen

out of North Salinas High School in California.

In response to why he chose the UA, Greer said, "It was all Coach (Rich) Ellerson, and I prayed about it."

At Salinas, Greer earned two letters for football, and lettered in basketball and track, as well. He was also named to the All-State football team and was the MVP in basketball. And on top of his athletics, Greer was named student of the year in high school.

At the university level, Greer is majoring in political science and hopes to see the NFL in his future.

"Yes, I want to play in the NFL," he said. "If it's in God's plans for me, I hope it is. Every night when I pray, I hope that what I want is what He wants for me, and that what God wants of me, is what I want."

And in the midst of his juggling act of athletics and academics, Greer is also juggling a family life.

He and his junior high sweetheart, Candi Lee Greer, have been married for just over two years.

"She helps me out," Greer said of his wife. "A wife makes a better man, and a husband a better woman. Learning to love a woman is the best lesson in life.

"Just when I think I know everything, my wife helps by showing me where I need to be better."

When he's not at home learning to be a better man, Greer is making sure he's the best "knight rider," the term Greer has coined for himself, out on the field.

Being the only senior on the defensive line, Greer said, "It's great, it feels good.

"I just like to play ball. I go out and I satisfy Jesus, not myself because I know if I am doing that, nothing will go wrong."

Greer did admit that "at times" he does have to take the lead of the defense.

"But mainly I'm just out there and playing ball and doing what it needs to be done and what I can do," he said.

Greer will take the lead for the Wildcats (6-1) at a home in a showdown Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against the Ducks (6-1).

"I hope the fans come out to see when we go out and play hard this weekend," he said.

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.