Husker junior wide receiver Maurice Purify quickly has become one of Zac Taylor’s favorite targets, and he is quite a target at 6 feet 4 and 210 pounds.

Purify, who is second on the team in receptions with nine (225 yards, one touchdown), is from northern California. He was a prep football and basketball star in Eureka, right by Humboldt Bay, and attended junior college in San Francisco (City College).

Has Doc Sadler tried to get you to join his program?

“He hasn’t talked to me about joining.

Would that interest you?

“That depends on how my season goes.”

If you had your pick, would you go NBA or NFL?

“NBA.”

Why is that?

“You don’t get banged up as much. I already feel like my body’s old. My body’s 20 going on 35 already.”

Favorite NBA team?

“Chicago Bulls.”

Favorite NFL team?

“Dallas Cowboys.”

You’ve had a strong season so far. What do you consider as highlights?

“Getting a chance to go to school and play football and get an education.”

You had to be a little disappointed not getting any catches against USC.

“It was tough. All my family was there. I was expecting a lot bigger things than what happened, but I’ll get over it.”

Was that more about the game plan or more about USC’s defense?

“I wasn’t even in there as much. I think I was only in there for five plays and one pass.”

When did you start to feel good about your understanding of the NU offense?

“I’d say about after the USC game.”

What are three things every receiver should be thinking when he leaves the huddle?

“I don’t know. I don’t really think of anything. I just think of what I have to do and block everything out. When the ball is in the air, I’m not thinking of anything. I’m just looking at the ball. When you think of stuff, that’s when you drop the ball.”

Which NFL receiver stands out as a model for what you’d like to become?

“I’ve got a lot of them. I’d say T.O. (Terrell Owens), Chad Johnson, Randy Moss.”

What’s life like on Humboldt Bay?

“It’s nice. It’s calm, mellow. It’s kind of like here without the redwoods, the rain, the wind and stuff. I don’t know. I like it.”

How did the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State let you get away? Probably not part of your plan, was it?

“They just pretty much thought I wasn’t going to go there.”

Eureka is well-known for its art community and its Victorian architecture. Any of that interest you growing up?

“Not really. Not into that. I like the big redwoods they’ve got there. They have a drive-in tree that you can drive right through.”

Biggest difference between NoCal and SoCal?

“The weather. When everyone thinks of California, they think of the sun, the beaches. Northern California is the total opposite. There are a couple of beaches, but you can’t go to them when it’s raining and windy.”

Biggest difference between NoCal and Lincoln?

“There aren’t any redwood trees. The weather’s nice, humid.”