Bowling Green State University Athletics
Former Falcon Mruczkowski Prepares for AFC Championship
January 17, 2008 | Football
Jan. 17, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - In the midst of his game preparations and training with the San Diego Chargers former Falcon football offensive lineman Scott Mruczkowski (2001-04) stopped by www.bgsufalcons.com to check-in just days prior to the AFC Championship.
Mruczkowski and the Chargers will face the New England Patriots this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in the AFC Championship contest.
Q: How does it feel to be one game away from Super Bowl?
SM: It's really exciting to be a game away from something you have dreamed about your entire life. Every player in the NFL has the goal of playing in and winning a Super Bowl and not that many ever get the chance. The opportunity is very unique and isn't taken for granted. This is something that has been in the works since our last season playoff loss. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but we must beat arguably the best team in the history of the game but it would be a dream come true to play for a world championship.
Q: How does it feel to play arguably, one of the greatest NFL teams of all-time?
SM: It's going to be a huge challenge for us. We have to be at our very best in order to compete with these guys. They have tremendous talent on both sides of the ball and play hard on special teams. It's a great opportunity for us to try and knock off a team that has not lost in 17 games. They have been in big games like this before and in order to win a championship you must beat the champs.
Q: What are your best NFL memories?
SM: I have plenty of great memories, with all the pro bowler and future hall of famers on this team and just having the opportunity to be on the same field as these guys is a lifetime memory itself. My favorite memory was running out of the tunnel for my first career start against the Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium, followed by the likes of [Phillip] Rivers, [Antonio] Gates, [Kris] Dielman, and of course LaDanian Tomlinson. That has been my favorite memory so far of my career.
Q: What about some of your favorite BG memories?
SM: Again, I have so many great stories and memories playing for the Brown and Orange. All of the lifetime friends I have made and the coaches that helped me through my college career and helping me get to this next level have been priceless. My first year starting was probably the most exciting, as we had the biggest turn around in college football that year. It was great for the community and the university and seeing that trend continue throughout my career and currently is something special. Some of my all time favorite games were the first time we played Northwestern and won on a two point conversion by Cole [Magner], the victory at Purdue when [Charles] Sharon caught that incredible pass from Josh [Harris] in the end zone, and of course the two Bowl victories in back-to-back years was something I will never forget.
Q: Talk about some of the greatest Falcons you have played with.
SM: I had the chance to play with a lot of very talented football players while I was at BG. Some of my favorites were Jon Mazur and Greg Kupke. Those guys really helped me focus on football and taught me valuable pointers that I still use to this day. I consider those guys brothers to me. Cole Magner, Josh Harris, Omar Jacobs, Charles Sharon, P.J. Pope, Todd DiBacco, Andrew Hart and Shaun Suisham, to name a few, were all great teammates. They were tremendous competitors on the field and good people off the field.
Q: Do you still keep up with BGSU Football, and if so how much?
SM: Absolutely, I'm always checking on the website to see what the Falcons are doing. BG was a big part of my life and I had nothing but great times the 4.5 yrs I attended. I will treasure forever the relationships that I built while I was a Falcon. I met some amazing people while I was there from Joe Sharp to Greg Studrawa and everyone I came across has had a positive influence in my life. Getting the opportunity to play in bowl games is hard to do in our conference and getting that chance is very exciting for the players, coaches and alumni. I'm very proud to say that I am a BG Falcon and always will be.
Q: What is the biggest thing that has changed for you since arriving in the NFL?
SM: The NFL draft changed my life. It was a long and somewhat disappointing day but being able to say that I was drafted to play football in the NFL is something I can say happened for the rest of my life. Not very many football players make it to college and even fewer get the opportunity to play in the NFL. Having that opportunity to compete at this level is a blessing and being able to continue my career after three years is something I can pride myself on. Very few people make it in this league and being on a roster is that much harder. Playing for three years now is even harder, the average career is only two years, so I am grateful to San Diego and their organization for believing in my abilities and to all the people that have helped change my life.
Q: What are some of your funniest NFL stories?
SM: (Laughs) This is a public website I think I'll keep those to myself.
Q: What is it like to block for one of the great all-time running backs in LaDanian Tomlinson?
It's really incredible, believe it or not, as great of running back as he is, he is even a better man off the field, incredibly humble and very well respected. It's great blocking for a man like him because of how good he makes the lineman look. All he needs is a crease and there he goes. He has made so many incredible moves whether he spins out of a block, jukes a defender out of his shoes, or stiff arms their helmet off, he is an all-around back and is someone I will tell my kids about when I have them.
