Nov. 11, 2010
Since joining the Irish squad midway through the 2008 season, kicker David Ruffer has established himself as one of the most consistent kickers in Notre Dame history. He currently holds the record for most consecutive field goals made, converting on each of his 18 attempts and drilled a career-long 50-yard field goal against Pittsburgh earlier this year. GameDay’s Maura Jones gives Irish fans a chance to get to know David Ruffer.
Jones: What is your major and why does it interest you?
Ruffer: I’m an economics major, and I think it’s a really versatile degree. It gives me a lot of different perspectives when looking at the market and economy.
Jones: What is your favorite place on campus?
Ruffer: My favorite place is God Quad because it’s really peaceful.
Jones: What is your earliest football memory?
Ruffer: My earliest football memory would probably be kicking footballs on my high school’s field during lunchtime.
Jones: What is the most important thing you have learned while playing at Notre Dame?
Ruffer: I learned to never take for granted the tradition.
Jones: What is your favorite Coach Kelly saying?
Ruffer: “I wish I were a member of WOPU (Walk-on Players Union).”
Jones: What song always gets you ready to take the field?
Ruffer: I really like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” by the cast of Glee.
Jones: What TV show do you never miss?
Ruffer: Boardwalk Empire.
Jones: When you were younger what were you always getting in trouble for?
Ruffer: I always got in trouble for picking fights with other kids, altercations on the playground.
Jones: What do you miss most about home?
Ruffer: My mother. She’s nice and I love her.
Jones: North or South Dining Hall?
Ruffer: North Dining Hall.
Jones: What song on your iPod would surprise people?
Ruffer: Probably something by Miley Cyrus.
Jones: If you could trade places with any person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be?
Ruffer: I’d trade places with Harry Potter because magic is awesome.
Jones: What was your best Halloween costume growing up?
Ruffer: My best Halloween costume was Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Jones: If Coach Kelly were not coaching, what would he be doing?
Ruffer: He would be in politics somehow. He’s a really good motivational speaker, and he gets his point across affectively. I think he could definitely sway a crowd.
Jones: If you could have any job what would it be?
Ruffer: Something helping people and providing a sense of fulfillment for the community.
Jones: What was the one thing that sold you on Notre Dame?
Ruffer: The spirit of the community.
Jones: Do you have any memories of Notre Dame growing up?
Ruffer: I just remember visiting my sister, who was a 2006 graduate, and thinking to myself that this is the place where I wanted to go to college.
Jones: Who is your favorite professor on campus?
Ruffer: I like all of my professors, but Professor Leahy is the man.
Jones: What is your favorite thing about the game?
Ruffer: I like that you can have your individual goals, but the bigger aspect of it is doing your job to help the team.
Jones: Whom was your favorite Irish football player growing up?
Ruffer: Rocket Ismail.
Jones: What would your ideal day off consist of?
Ruffer: I would wake up around 10:30, go eat breakfast with Chris Salvi, and go back to my room and play some video games with my roommate Bobby Smith. I would go back and take another nap, go eat dinner with Nick Lezynski and Mike Garcia, and then call it an early night and go to bed around 9:30.
Jones: Do you have any hidden talents?
Ruffer: I have been called the songbird of my generation. I’m a great singer if I may say so myself.
Jones: What is the best advice you ever received?
Ruffer: Look both ways before crossing the road.
-ND-