Big Ten Q&A: Maryland's Jermaine Carter on celebrating win at Texas, music & Chick-fil-A

Jermaine Carter always believed his Maryland Terrapins could win at No. 23 Texas. And, sure enough, Carter and the Terps provided one of the most shocking results of the opening weekend, taking a 51-41 decision as a three-touchdown underdog and snapping their 17-game losing streak to ranked opponents.

Carter was all over the field in Austin, making a team-high seven tackles (five solo) with two sacks, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry. He was part of a Maryland defense that limited Texas to 98 yards rushing (3.2 ypc). It is the start of what could be an All-Big Ten season for the senior who earned honorable mention all-league accolades each of the last two years.

The 6-0, 228-pound native of Fort Washington, Maryland, has started a team-high 26 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2015 season. He led the team in tackles in 2015 and 2016, totaling 213 during span. And he?s looking to become just the fifth Maryland player since 1969 to lead the Terps in tackles three straight seasons.

I caught up with Carter coming off the big win at Texas as he was beginning preparations for this week?s foe, FCS Towson.

Q: What did Coach DJ Durkin tell you guys before the game?
A: He told us to remain focused no matter the situation. And when we faced adversity, we didn?t have to flinch. That is what we did as a team. We had times in the game when things could have gone the other way, but luckily they went our way.

Q: How did you celebrate on Saturday night?
A: I celebrated in my bed. I slept. It was a long game. And we had a long flight back. We didn?t get home until about 10:30. So I just went and slept in my bed.

Q: Did anyone meet the team at the airport?
A: No fans.

Q: What TV shows are you binge-watching now?
A: I just finished ?Queen of South? on USA and ?Shooter.?

Q: If you got stranded on an island, what music album would you want to have with you?
A: I would have to say Drake ?Views.?

Q: Is Drake your favorite artist?
A: No. Lil Wayne is my favorite. But he is kinda quiet right now.

Q: What is your current hobby?
A: I grew up with music in my family. My mom used to make music. Music is something I always have been interested in. Most people just listen to the words. But I find the beats to be more interesting than the words. It was something I picked up on with my phone with the GarageBand App, just playing around.

Q: Do you have a pregame song you listen to?
A: I have a huge playlist that I just cycle through. I don?t have an artist in particular.

Q: What is your hidden talent?
A: I think I can cook pretty well. I?m not the best, but I do OK. If you eat my food, I?m sure you will finish your plate.

Q: When your girlfriend comes over, what do you make her?
A: I have a lot of meals. My girlfriend introduced me to Pinterest. I find things on Pinterest and cook them. The availability of things you can find on your phone has helped teach me how to cook.

Q: If you have to go to a back alley brawl, what teammate are you taking with you?
A: Cavon Walker. We have history together. We went to high school together. He is like my best friend. We have been together about six years now. We go way back.

Q: Why do they call you ?Pee Wee??
A: It was a childhood nickname. The story I have been told is my parents asked my older brother what to name me. And he picked Pee Wee. But my parents didn?t want my real name to be Pee Wee. But it stuck as my nickname.

Q: Pee Wee Carter doesn?t sound as good as Jermaine Carter.
A: Yep.

Q: What is your go-to fast-food restaurant?
A: Chick-fil-A. I get the spicy chicken sandwich. And I get it with bacon on it. Bacon makes everything better. I put it on anything I eat.