10 Questions for Ricky Santos
By: Mark Daniels
Issue date: 9/13/05 Section: News
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1
And imagine that at the start of the 2004 season Ricky Santos was the fourth-string quarterback. He very quickly moved up in the ranks to have one of the most dominating seasons that Wildcat nation has ever seen. As a freshman Santos set the UNH record for touchdown passes in a season with 31, the mark for passing yards with 3,318, and the record for the best completion percentage in a single season.
Santos was also a Walter Payton Award finalist, named ECAC Rookie of the Year, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, and Second Team All-Atlantic 10.
1. Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I'm not really that superstitious of a guy so I guess I don't have any superstitions but I do like to get the guys all fired up. Kind of walking around getting in people's faces and getting them ready to go out for battle.
2. What are your personal goals for this season?
My first goal is to win the Atlantic 10 and then a National Championship. I don't care if I throw for five touchdowns or not one. I just love to win and that's what I'm all about. I will do whatever the team needs me to do to win. Another goal I have is to end up as a finalist for the Walter Payton award. It's like the Heisman for I-AA football. Also it is a goal to be an All-American by the end of the year, but like I said it's all about winning.
3. What are your long-term football goals?
I would love to end playing professional football somewhere. Whether in the NFL, the Canadian Football League or maybe even in Europe, but right now I still have three more years, including this one, at UNH so I'm just going to worry about that. I still have plenty of football to play here before I need to think about anything after.
4. What is your dream job out of college?
My dream job would have to be an NFL talent scout. I would be able to travel all over the globe and watch the game I love for a profession, I don't see it getting to be much better than that.
5. This summer, how did you prepare for the upcoming football season?
I stayed up here in Durham along with 60 other kids all summer long. We lifted 4 days a week and ran twice a week. I feel this is such a huge part of the reason why were so successful last year, because of the dedication our players are having over the summer months when it is not mandatory to be here.
6. Which game on the schedule are you looking forward to the most?
I have to say I've circled Oct 29 on my calendar, which is the date we play U-Mass. First of all I don't like them very much because they gave me no love in the recruiting process and I'm from Massachusetts and second and more importantly I had my worst game last year against them and we ended up losing that game.
7. With high expectations coming into this season, can you see a difference with the team's attitude compared to the seasons past?
Yeah, I definitely see a different attitude in the locker room and on the playing field this year. Everybody knows what we have riding on every game this year so I think there is an overall increase in focus level. Everybody has a little extra bounce in their step because of the national recognition we have been getting.
8. The team had a great recruiting class for this year, how have some of the incoming freshmen looked?
They have looked real good, two in general that have stood in my mind. Matt O'Brien who plays running back has really played great so far and has made the travel squad, which is impressive for a freshman. On the defense side of the ball, John Clements who plays cornerback for us has also looked sharp and because of his play he also has made the travel squad. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw either of those getting reps in some games.
9. Who on the team is the team leader? What do they do for the team?
We have a lot of good leaders on the team but I feel our captain John McCoy probably does the most for the team. He gives the team prayers to us before games and is always there for players if they have problems and need someone to talk to.
10. Who is the team clown? What do they do for the team?
The team clown would have to be Will Morey; he is hands-down the funniest kid on the team and I laugh every time we have a conversation. He is great. If, say, a player is upset because of coaches or whatever, he will definitely be able to put a smile on that person's face.