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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 27 • 9 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com D anny Etling was getting a little tired of seeing Ryan Russell this spring, especially the close encounters the duo experi- enced on Saturday. The senior defensive end frequently rumbled through the Gold team's make-shift offen- sive line during the spring game, taking advantage of a matchup edge to record 3.5 sacks on Etling and backup QB David Blough. He also had a team-high 11 tackles. "He's tough to go against and I feel sorry for any other quar- terback who might have to go against him," Etling said after his Gold team rallied for win, over- coming Russell's success. "When I was live for the little bit, he was always on me, and he let me know it when he was there too." Granted, it was only the spring game, when the splitting of squads creates advantageous situations for some — and prob- lems for others — across the field. Russell had the former, facing a Gold team offensive line that isn't near the caliber of what he'll see in the fall. Yet that shouldn't diminish Russell's growth this spring. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder feels he put together a solid 15 spring practices, as he hopes to fi- nally capitalize on the potential he showed early in his Purdue career. Why now? Coach Darrell Hazell says Purdue challenged Russell com- ing into the spring, asking him to play with a greater intensity than he's displayed before. "He has responded well," the second-year coach said Saturday. "He needs to be an impact player for us in the fall. "… The biggest thing for Ryan right now is that he has to play with a motor every single play. If he can do that, get his three or four hard plays in and then get out for a blow and then get back in, we can keep pressure on offensive tackles. "It should be a mismatch for him eight out of 12 games of the year. He's got to be able to take advantage of that, drop his shoulders and get some pressure from the quarterback's backside or front side." Russell's not yet shown that ability, at least consistently, dur- ing his career. Last sea- son, the Carrollton, Tex- as native had only two sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss, among his 35 tackles. And his play at defensive end was pe- destrian enough that Purdue shifted him to Jack linebacker, a hy- brid position, to see if that would better suit his skill set. But it wasn't the solution, either. In- stead, Russell, who was back largely play- ing end during the spring, found an answer is upping his intensity. "I know that a lot of great defensive ends and linemen be- fore me have had amazing mo- tors," he said. "And that's mental. There's nothing physical about running to the ball and giving it your all every play. It's definitely something I need to implement and that I've improved on as well." Russell has potential but shown that only it flashes. It f o o t b a l l p l a y e r f e a t u r e : r y a n r u s s e l l Rising Up Russell picking up intensity on eve of final year Tom Campbell Ryan Russell had an outstanding spring game with 3.5 sacks for the Black team. I've got service, yes I do ... P097275.2 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL ME TODAY. And I am ready to prove it. Trent B Johnson, Agent 249 E State Street West Lafayette, IN 47906 Bus: 765-743-9595 trentismyagent.com