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University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrecking Ball - Sophomore Gary Russell
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
The difference here, besides the obvious metal exoskeleton, is that you can’t catch him, and you definitely can’t stop him. If you need proof just look at the facts: as a junior in high school, Russell ran for a little over 1,800 yards, then as a senior Russell decided to top that total and run for an additional 2,100 yards. That is 3,900 yards over a two-year span, all while taking on additional duties playing on the defensive side of the ball.
“He never came off the field. He used to get tackled more on defense than on offense,” head coach Glen Mason said. “They couldn’t stop him on either side of the ball.”
Thankfully for Gopher fans, even his home state of Ohio couldn’t contain him because Russell accepted a scholarship at the University of Minnesota instead of staying close to home.
“There were a lot of factors in my decision. Coach Mason and Coach Browning were great, and when I came for my official (visit) I really liked it, and my grandparents liked it and we felt it was a great place to be,” Russell said.
Even after he left his home state of Ohio and arrived on campus last fall, Russell didn’t have to look very far for some reminders of home to help ease the transition. That was because the Gopher roster included 13 players from Ohio, including high school teammate Ernie Wheelwright, and Columbus native and friend, fullback Justin Valentine.
“As a team we already are a family, and it is a great family we have here, but it really does feel like home sometimes, having all of us from Ohio here,” Russell said.
If you need to catch Russell off the field you can usually find him hanging out with Wheelwright and Valentine. They have been inseparable since arriving on campus, all three growing up very close to one another in Columbus. Somehow Wheelwright and Valentine have found a way to keep track of Russell, something opposing defenses haven’t quite figured out yet, although they got their first chance last season.
Last year, while backing up a couple of running backs named Barber and Maroney, Russell managed to collect 144 yards on only 24 carries as a true freshman while contributing on special teams. That production has carried over to this season, and with the loss of Marion Barber III to the NFL, Russell’s numbers continue to rise. Through only six games, Russell had already tallied 505 yards on only 66 carries to go along with eight rushing touchdowns (nine total). And for all of you without a calculator on hand that is an average of 7.7 yards per carry, 84.2 yards per game and 1.3 touchdowns per contest.
So what exactly is Russell’s secret to all this success on the field? “My legs do a lot of the work for me, but last year I was able to watch and study what Marion (Barber) did everyday in practice and on the field,” Russell said. “He is someone I have molded myself after in terms of being a real tough power runner, always running for those tough yards.”
Even Russell’s coaches see the similarities in the former teammates running styles. “He’s a powerful runner,” Mason said. “He’s got good speed and quickness, with strong legs that keep pushing him for those extra yards.”
Even with all of the extra attention and praise he is receiving, Russell isn’t letting it go to his head. “I’ve learned a lot so far, but I know that I need to do what is best for the team and that I need to fill my role to help the team win, and that is picking up my blocks and getting those tough yards,” Russell said.
And that is exactly the attitude that coaches look for when building a successful team, someone who will work hard day in and day out and do whatever is necessary to win. Russell has even been playing fullback, not just as an attempt to confuse defenses, but to get him on the field. Russell gives credit to his offensive line for his increased playing time and the fact he wasn’t stopped for a loss through his first 68 career carries.
“They (offensive line) are the best in the nation, and it’s because of them that the line of scrimmage is moving forward,” Russell explained. “And it is a heck of a lot easier to move forward when the entire line is.”
But after already running for 4,500 yards in just three and a half seasons between high school and college, it’s safe to say that Gopher fans are in good hands with Russell.
Story written by Chris Jensen, athletic communications student assistant Think of that joke everyone has heard. “Is your refrigerator running? Yeah, well you better go catch it!” Because when it comes to football, Gary Russell is like a refrigerator, always on and always running.
The difference here, besides the obvious metal exoskeleton, is that you can’t catch him, and you definitely can’t stop him. If you need proof just look at the facts: as a junior in high school, Russell ran for a little over 1,800 yards, then as a senior Russell decided to top that total and run for an additional 2,100 yards. That is 3,900 yards over a two-year span, all while taking on additional duties playing on the defensive side of the ball.
“He never came off the field. He used to get tackled more on defense than on offense,” head coach Glen Mason said. “They couldn’t stop him on either side of the ball.”
Thankfully for Gopher fans, even his home state of Ohio couldn’t contain him because Russell accepted a scholarship at the University of Minnesota instead of staying close to home.
“There were a lot of factors in my decision. Coach Mason and Coach Browning were great, and when I came for my official (visit) I really liked it, and my grandparents liked it and we felt it was a great place to be,” Russell said.
Even after he left his home state of Ohio and arrived on campus last fall, Russell didn’t have to look very far for some reminders of home to help ease the transition. That was because the Gopher roster included 13 players from Ohio, including high school teammate Ernie Wheelwright, and Columbus native and friend, fullback Justin Valentine.
“As a team we already are a family, and it is a great family we have here, but it really does feel like home sometimes, having all of us from Ohio here,” Russell said.
If you need to catch Russell off the field you can usually find him hanging out with Wheelwright and Valentine. They have been inseparable since arriving on campus, all three growing up very close to one another in Columbus. Somehow Wheelwright and Valentine have found a way to keep track of Russell, something opposing defenses haven’t quite figured out yet, although they got their first chance last season.
Last year, while backing up a couple of running backs named Barber and Maroney, Russell managed to collect 144 yards on only 24 carries as a true freshman while contributing on special teams. That production has carried over to this season, and with the loss of Marion Barber III to the NFL, Russell’s numbers continue to rise. Through only six games, Russell had already tallied 505 yards on only 66 carries to go along with eight rushing touchdowns (nine total). And for all of you without a calculator on hand that is an average of 7.7 yards per carry, 84.2 yards per game and 1.3 touchdowns per contest.
So what exactly is Russell’s secret to all this success on the field? “My legs do a lot of the work for me, but last year I was able to watch and study what Marion (Barber) did everyday in practice and on the field,” Russell said. “He is someone I have molded myself after in terms of being a real tough power runner, always running for those tough yards.”
Even Russell’s coaches see the similarities in the former teammates running styles. “He’s a powerful runner,” Mason said. “He’s got good speed and quickness, with strong legs that keep pushing him for those extra yards.”
Even with all of the extra attention and praise he is receiving, Russell isn’t letting it go to his head. “I’ve learned a lot so far, but I know that I need to do what is best for the team and that I need to fill my role to help the team win, and that is picking up my blocks and getting those tough yards,” Russell said.
And that is exactly the attitude that coaches look for when building a successful team, someone who will work hard day in and day out and do whatever is necessary to win. Russell has even been playing fullback, not just as an attempt to confuse defenses, but to get him on the field. Russell gives credit to his offensive line for his increased playing time and the fact he wasn’t stopped for a loss through his first 68 career carries.
“They (offensive line) are the best in the nation, and it’s because of them that the line of scrimmage is moving forward,” Russell explained. “And it is a heck of a lot easier to move forward when the entire line is.”
But after already running for 4,500 yards in just three and a half seasons between high school and college, it’s safe to say that Gopher fans are in good hands with Russell.
Story written by Chris Jensen, athletic communications student assistant
