Take a “Straight A” student who plays college football but doesn’t care much about the pros and you can only come out with one thing… a kicker.  Stephen Blose has already graduated with a 4.o GPA.  Blose is on The Watch List for the Fred Mitchell Award. The Mitchell Award is given to a kicker from a D-II or D-III school who show excellence both on the field and in the community. Last season Blose was a perfect 27-27 on PAT’s and 9-16 on FG attempts.  He was named to various Academic All-American Teams and is looking to be the edge the Penguins need to get over the hump in 2010.

Paneech: What do you do all day since you have already graduated?

Blose: I’m still a full-time student with twelve hours.  I am broadening my horizons with some classes.  I graduated with a 4.0, which was a personal goal, to strive for straight A’s.

Paneech: How did you feel about being picked to finish seventh in the conference?

Blose: It’s humbling.  You always want to be projected to finish higher, but that gives us, as a team, more incentive to come into practice and work harder knowing that we are not expected to win.  It makes us grind a little harder and come out with more attitude.

Paneech: What NFL Kicker do you pattern yourself after?

Blose: I never really set my goals as far as looking at professional athletes.  I look up to my brother and my dad for different reasons. As  far as those guys go, Sebastien Janikowski has a great leg, but I can’t really say who would be the ideal kicker.

Paneech: So how did you first get involved with kicking?

Blose: I played other positions in high school.  It really came down to my high school team needing a kicker.  Coming in as a freshman, I knew I could earn a spot at the kicking position so I picked that up and gradually worked my way in at other positions.  I started with kicking, and it kind of stuck with me.

Paneech: You played under Coach Heacock, and now Coach Wolford.  What is the contrast in styles?

Blose: There are a few differences.  You get used to Coach Wolford’s intensity.  He knows how to get players motivated and really has the intensity cranked up right now.  He [Wolford]  comes out and emphasizes hard work every day.  Coach Heacock had guys working hard to, but the intensity at practice has taken a big shift.

Paneech: What was it like to play at Happy Valley against Penn State?

Blose: It’s just another game in a bigger stadium, as a kicker you can’t really get too hyped up about it.  I was there my freshman year and feel like I am kind of familiar with the facilities.

One Word Answers

Favorite Cereal: Reese’s.

Favorite TV Show: Family Guy.

Biggest Phobia: Spiders.

Best Movie Ever: Dumb And Dumber.

Animal You Most Resemble: Monkey.

Best Class Offered At YSU: Chemistry.

Worst Habit: Hitting The Goal Post.

Favorite Drink: Water.

2011 Super Bowl Prediction: Oakland Raiders will win.

Vegas Or Cancun: Cancun.