Freshman Suter Faces Tall Order
8/21/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2000
By Bill Free, Baltimore Sun
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- As little Steve Suter bounced around the practice field yesterday on the first day of workouts for 27 newcomers to the Maryland football program, it was hard to imagine how the 5-foot-9, 175-pound freshman wide receiver from North Carroll could ever hold his own against a Florida State team that is expected to dominate the Atlantic Coast Conference again this year.
Suter just smiled when it was mentioned that he might be in over his head against the behemoths from the defending national champions.
"I'm sure Florida State never heard of North Carroll or me," said Suter. "It's my job to change that. I need to try and put North Carroll on the map."
Suter displayed good hands, excellent quickness and a lot of fire yesterday as he went through two practice sessions without a hitch. But he was quick to admit that he is going to have to work extra hard to make up for being the smallest player on the team other than kicker Brian Kopka.
"I'm a little guy from a little school and I know the odds are against me," said Suter. "I know I'm in for a tough fight to play here."
While Suter faces long odds, another Baltimore-area product, Rob Abiamiri of Mount St. Joseph, looks big enough and gifted enough to step in today and play against Florida State.
That Abiamiri, 6-3, 195 pounds, was outstanding in the first day here yesterday came as no surprise to Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden.
"Rob was in our camp here and I feel like I've known him for a long time," said Vanderlinden. "I knew he could play."
Abiamiri said after yesterday's afternoon session that he did not want to even think about the high endorsements he has received. "None of the players here know anything about me," he said. "I'm just another guy who has to prove myself. Right now, I'm staying focused to make myself better. I'm sure everything will get even harder when the veterans join us on Friday. My goal is to play up to a standard I've set for myself."
Two other Baltimore-area freshmen, 6-6, 280-pound offensive tackle Lou Lombardo from Calvert Hall and 6-3, 235-pound defensive end C. J. Feldheim of Hereford, took part in yesterday's workouts.
Originally published on Aug. 17, 2000
