Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/295452
GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 27 • 10 might have first shown up at the end of his redshirt freshman season in 2011, when he had five tackles, two for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery (on separate plays) in the last two games of the season. But the big breakout didn't follow. In 2012, he had a career-best four sacks, with 8.5 tackles for loss, the second-most on the team. Natural progression, though, was halted in a difficult 2013. But Purdue needs him to cash in now. Last season, the Boilermakers had a very inconsis- tent pass rush — Purdue had only 14 sacks, the worst total in the Big Ten and the worst in recent program history — and could stand to have at least players emerge. It'll likely be at defensive end where Rus- sell gets the opportunity. The experiment at Jack didn't go as well as hoped, with Russell struggling to grasp the nuances of pass cover- age. At end, he can focus more on getting to the QB, as long as he keeps the motor revving. "I think Ryan has had a great spring," Etling said. "Going up against him every day, you kind of get tired of him always in the backfield. But he's going to be a great player for us this season. "His motor has improved twofold since last sea- son. I mean, he's going with such a higher motor than I've ever seen him go." j BOILERMAKERS Follett's Purdue Bookstores West | Black & Gold Mine | follettspurdue.com BOILER UP! ™ With the latest in Purdue Basketball Gear! Poster Boy Ryan Russell is on fire. Or, at least his im- age is. The senior defen- sive end is emblazed on a Purdue 2014 schedule poster, shot by Sports Illustrated photographer An- drew Hancock. Han- cock, who had three sets for his shoot with about nine players, had pyrotechnics and smoke machines for what turned into the main poster's cover shot. Russell was the "model," as the final image showed him screaming with sparks shooting behind him. Russell's No. 99 is covered up with him holding a football, and his name is nowhere on the final poster. Still, it was a neat honor for the senior, he said. "It's an amazing thing to see," Russell said. "I know when I came in freshman year, you see the guys on the poster, you see Ryan Kerrigan and Albert Evans, Carson Wiggs, (Robert) Marve and guys like that and you're like, 'I hope that can be me someday.' "I've wanted to be a leader for awhile, in the offsea- son and the spring just kind of stepping up in that role. It's great to see that my team also feels the same way and the coaches feel the same way and Purdue nation feels the same way for putting me on the poster." — Stacy Clardie Tom Campbell Russell took advantage of left tackle Jason Tretter, who typi- cally plays right, to get consistent pressure on Gold team QBs.