Sept. 9, 2004
Getting To Know…
Wide Receiver Maurice Stovall
#21 Maurice Stovall
Junior, 6-5, 227
Wide Receiver
Philadelphia, PA
One of a key group of talented receivers in the Notre Dame lineup, Maurice Stovall has played in 25 games in his Irish career, making three starts. In those games, Stovall has made 40 catches for 733 yards and an 18.3 yards per catch average.. Six of his 40 catches have resulted in Notre Dame touchdowns. Last year versus Purdue, he established personal bests with nine catches for 171 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown pass, the third longest in Irish history. GameDay Magazine’s Gary Paczesny gives Notre Dame fans a chance to get to know Maurice Stovall.
Paczesny: Tell us about your major and your academic interests at Notre Dame:
Stovall: “I am a sociology major with a minor in computer applications. It was a major that I felt very comfortable with but I also liked the various areas of studies within sociology.
Paczesny: What’s the hardest class you’ve had in your first two years at Notre Dame?
Stovall: For me, the hardest class that I’ve had is political science/government because I’m not really into politics and it’s something that does not really interest me.
Paczesny: Why did you choose Notre Dame over the other schools that were interested in you?:
Stovall: Notre Dame was always my top choice. I was recruited by Virginia and Michigan. I picked Notre Dame because not many people get a chance to come to Notre Dame and for me it was the best school both academically and athletically.
Paczesny: To date, what has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career?
Stovall: The highlight so for has been making the cover of Sports Illustrated during my freshman year after the Michigan State game. I was very blessed to be in that situation but I never let it get to my head.
Paczesny: Who were your sports idols as a kid?
Stovall: Mohammed Ali and Randall Cunningham.
Paczesny: As a football player is there anyone you modeled your game after?
Stovall: I don’t model my game after any one person, but I like to watch ESPN and see what plays guys made and then really work on my game.
Paczesny: Who was your biggest non-sports role model and why?
Stovall: My father, Maurice Stovall, Sr. He has always been there for me and made me the young man that I am today. I always watched him when I was little.
Paczesny: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
Stovall: I am not huge on superstitions. Before games, I really enjoy eating sunflower seeds. It helps me get ready mentally and is something that I have done since I was a freshman in high school.
Paczesny: What is the best advice you have ever been given and who gave it to you?
Stovall: If your mind can conceive it, your body can achieve it. My parents always instilled this in me along with nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.
Paczesny: How do you think you’ve grown as a person since coming to Notre Dame?
Stovall: I think I’ve become more mature both athletically and academically since coming to Notre Dame.
Paczesny: What is one thing that might surprise people about Maurice Stovall?
Stovall: Many people think of me as being pretty quiet. That’s not so. I usually don’t talk much around people that I don’t know.
Paczesny: What is your most embarrassing moment in sports?
Stovall: I was in the fifth grade and was coming from a confirmation and was late for a football game. My mother’s car broke down and we had to call my dad to come take me to the game. When she threw me out on the field, I had forgotten my cleats. At the time, I wore the same size shoe as her, so she gave me her white female New Balance shoes with my burgundy socks on from church that were kind of high and I wore them with my blue jersey on while running for a touchdown.
Paczesny: What is your favorite movie and why?
Stovall: My favorite movie is The Color Purple. I have watched it since I was little and it shows the struggles of African-Americans in different home settings. I have always liked that movie and really enjoy it.
Paczesny: What is the toughest place that you’ve played in college football?
Stovall: The toughest place for me is The Coliseum in Los Angeles. I was shocked when I first saw the stadium. I just remember that stadium and that game against USC my freshman year. It was a very noisy environment, something that I wasn’t really expecting.
Paczesny: What CD do you have in your collection that my surprise people?
Stovall: Michael Jackson’s Greatest Hits. I have always been a Michael Jackson fan since I was a little kid and still do. I am old school. I like Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight and the Isley Brothers.
Paczesny: Who is the best athlete that you have ever competed against?
Stovall: Marlin Jackson, the defensive back from Michigan. He is a very good player and a physical corner back.
Paczesny: If you had a chance to play golf with anyone in history, who would play with you in your Dream Foursome?
Stovall: Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and Michael Jordan.
Paczesny: When your football career is over, what do you see yourself doing?
Stovall: I would like to run a few family businesses and build a recreation center while having a nine-to-five job along with raising a family.
Paczesny: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing at Notre Dame Stadium?
Stovall: So many things are going through your mind as far as plays and tradition. The greatest feeling is coming down that tunnel with thousands of people watching you. The noise and the excitement just runs through your veins. For that five seconds that you are running down the tunnel, the crowd gets you going and you feel like you are floating.
Paczesny: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?
Stovall: I really love how you are always under the microscope. The tradition and the legacy of playing football at Notre Dame means people either love you or hate you. We know that every team we play wants to beat us because we play for Notre Dame.