Football: Steve Suter Q & A
9/15/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
By Amy Mulligan
Maryland Media Relations Assistant
Gameday: What's the first thing you think when you catch a punt?
Steve Suter: My first priority is to catch it, but once I catch it I try to score.
Gameday: After looking back at them, what kick or punt return for a touchdown do you remember most?
SS: Actually, there are two. The Gator Bowl one because my father couldn't be there to watch in person so he watched it on TV, so that was special. The one at the Peach Bowl, I didn't take it to the house, but it was pretty fun being in that setting, it was a long run and I broke a few tackles.
Gameday: What's your favorite thing about playing for the Terps?
SS: Being from Maryland, playing for your home school. I'm a hometown kid so it makes you feel good when the fans cheer for you.
Gameday: What is one thing that Coach Friedgen has taught you about yourself as a football player or as a person?
SS: Just to concentrate on every little thing. You might think that if you have speed or intelligence that you can get away with not doing everything right, but in the long run you can't. Plays won't run correctly if you don't do everything precisely.
Gameday: What's the hardest hit you've ever taken on the field?
SS: It was against West Virginia at home, it was a punt return and as soon as I caught it their guy hit me right up under my helmet in my chin. It knocked me off my feet, I was dazed. I couldn't eat for a week my jaw was so sore - I had to eat soup because I couldn't really open my mouth. It was a nice shot.
Gameday: What is one movie that you can quote the most lines from?
SS: "Nothing To Lose," with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. A great flick.
Gameday: What is one thing that you could teach a class on because you're an expert?
SS: Back in high school I was really good in math. My mom always told me I could be a math teacher.
Gameday: If you could have 50 pounds of anything, what would it be?
SS: Money.
Gameday: What is one tip that you could share with underclassmen about surviving in football and school?
SS: Don't get ahead of yourself. Don't think you can always dig yourself out of a hole - like getting behind in schoolwork and thinking you can come back or getting behind in football training and thinking you can come back. There are always people out there working harder than you and you can't fall behind.
Gameday: What's been your primary source of motivation for success?
SS: My parents and the way they raised me. I have a tremendous amount of pride, so whatever it is I don't want to be average. I don't know what they did, but I guess they did something right.
Gameday: What was your goal when you first arrived on the Maryland football team?
SS: Just to play. I didn't know what kind of impact I was going to have. I knew I could play I just didn't know if I would get a chance to, so basically I just wanted to have some kind of impact.
Gameday: What's the best concert you've ever been to?
SS: Dru Hill, Puff Daddy and Busta Rhymes. That was my sophomore year in high school. I'm not really a concert kind of guy, so that's pretty much the list.
Gameday: What's the best part about game day?
SS: The fans. Going out onto the field and everyone yelling and screaming - it's just an overwhelming feeling. I remember the first time I first ran out: It was my first game and I was a redshirt, I knew I wasn't going to play, but when I ran out there I started tearing up. I was like, "Wow, I really made it."
