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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Talk With Ryan Santoso
11/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Junior punter Ryan Santoso provided an insightful and entertaining Gopher Talk delving into topics such as switching from kicker to punter, answered which specialist is the best dancer, which teammate he would bring with him on a deserted island and more!
Gopher Sports: What do you like to do outside of football?
Ryan Santoso: Outside of football I like to hang out with my roommates. We go to a lot of movies. I'm also really involved with Athletes in Action and bible study. I'm really invested in that. I think it's good to pour into other people as people pour into me. That's really a good time. I like coffee shops a lot. Around the area there is just a ton of stuff to do. I like going on walks. I like hanging out with my girlfriend.
GS: What was it like when you made the transition from kicker to punter this year?
RS: Moving from kicker to punter is a lot different in the game. I feel a little bit more isolated when I'm a punter. Everything is in my hands once I get it from the snapper. I've become a lot closer with Payton Jordahl. He's been great. It's fun working with him, he's a goofy guy.
It's different. I'm still learning each game. It's been a longer process than what I was hoping for but I feel like I am adjusting well. Emmit (Carpenter) stepped in and took over the kicking role fantastically. He's phenomenal this year. It's cool getting into the action a little more. When I'm a kicker either on kickoffs or field goals, you don't get much action because we are either tackling them way down there or it goes in. So it's cool to run down the field and actually play football. That's kind of a first for me, but it's really fun.
GS: When you made that transition, did former Gopher punter Peter Mortell give you any advice?
RS: Pete's my go-to guy for advice on life. He seemed like he had his head on straight. He's like my brother. I'll talk to him a couple times a week just about games, practice and breaking down film. He told me that it would not be easy at first and that I would have to learn throughout the season. Just being a leader on the team, being more vocal and having that presence of being here to work. I'm a football player too. Having that role on the team is different from just being a kicker, but I like it a lot.
GS: Did you have any advice for Emmit Carpenter when he took over kicking duties?
RS: I tried to help him as much as I could throughout camp, but in game situations I try not to talk to him too much so he doesn't really think about it. He just goes out there and does his thing. If something happens in a game, we'll sit down and reflect. We have a 10-second rule for the specialists. You think about it for 10 seconds and then you move on to the next kick. It's been awesome to be in a different role. To be on the other side of the kicking aspect of it, just sharing what I have. Kind of like what Pete does for me, I do it for Emmit. He's taking off and running with it and I'm excited to see what the rest of the season has for him
GS: Do you have a favorite road trip you've been on?
RS: Every game on the road is really fun. It's just a good time to get away from life and school and just hanging out with the guys. I would say the Citrus Bowl. That was a blast. Just some great guys, great seniors that really made the trip fun. They were embracing every moment and it was cool to be in that environment with those guys in an important bowl game. It was cool to be part of that and our fans made it feel like a home game. Life's bigger than football. It's not about the wins and the losses, it's about memories, the people and the things you get out of it.
GS: What's your favorite place in Minneapolis?
RS: I love St. Anthony Main. There is a bunch of cool restaurants and a movie theatre down there. There's a lot of cool views to go sit on a bench and hang out with some friends, just great scenery. I love looking at the city. It's cool to just step back away from life and reflect weekly or daily. It's good just to regroup, refocus and reenergize for the next week. I like doing that because it helps me. We are always working and we are never reflecting. We are never realizing where we've come from. I think it's good to stop and think about what life is really about. Just appreciate the little things.
GS: What specialist is the best singer and which one is the best dancer?
RS: The best dancer would have to be Justin Juenemann. I don't know if you've seen that video on Twitter. Best singer is Junebug too. He's my roommate and I hear him singing a lot. He's probably the best legitimate singer.
GS: If you could pick an actor to portray you in a movie, who would it be?
RS: I think the Rock would be awesome. He doesn't look anything like me, I don't have nearly as much muscle but that would be cool. I'm a huge Tom Hanks fan as well, so him too.
GS: If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could bring one teammate, who would it be?
RS: I'm bringing Emmit Carpenter. He took a wildlife in the cities class in the spring and he would come back with these insane videos doing the craziest thing in the wilderness. He obviously paid attention in that class and could help us get off the island. I feel like it would be a fun experience with him.
