COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Anderson Russell doesn’t hesitate. Asked if it was a low point for him after last year’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas, when many Ohio State fans blamed him for a game lost in the final minute, he barely takes an instant to respond.
“No. Not at all. Uh-uh,” he says, shaking his head.
Next question.
Russell, safety and special teams performer for No. 9 Ohio State, never hesitates, never ponders his career, on the field or off. He’s too busy, too caught up in his many jobs, to feel sorry for himself or get too introspective.
When he raced upfield and tried for an interception instead of keeping the play in front of him against Texas, the mistake resulted in Quan Cosby’s 26-yard touchdown catch with 16 seconds left to give the Longhorns a 24-21 victory.
Disappointed Ohio State fans howled about his gaffe. Dozens of letters to the editor railed about Russell’s blunder while calling for defensive coordinator Jim Heacock to be fired.
played well in the spring, and was again starting at free safety in the Buckeyes’ opener against ground-oriented Navy.
The Buckeyes led 29-14 with just over 6 minutes left with Navy taking over at its own 15, the home team apparently secure in a solid debut. Then Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs fired a long pass over the middle where Russell was a step behind Marcus Curry on a post route. Moments later, Curry was coasting into the end zone and the game was no longer a breather. The Buckeyes had to intercept a two-point conversion pass and return it the length of the field to preserve a 31-27 decision.
There was less howling after the second time Russell was caught all alone trailing a touchdown catch – after all, Ohio State won. But he soon lost his starting job to Jermale Hines and had to turn his disappointment into effort. He helped out as the team’s nickel back, he covered punts, he raced downfield on kickoffs. It had to be difficult for the three-year starter, a personable but soft-spoken communications major from Atlanta whose father, Kevin, played in the NFL with the Philadephia Eagles.
s defensive player of the game.
Russell declined to gloat or vow he had been vindicated.
“It was just another game,” he said during this week’s preparations for Ohio State’s (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) showdown with unbeaten Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten). “We kept it going. We’ve got a lot more games to play.”
Others didn’t hesitate to pat him on the back for what he’s been through and what he did under the lights in Bloomington, Ind.
“He’s going to do everything he can for the team,” coach Jim Tressel said. “Some things, maybe he’d rather not do, such as move out of the rotation when we’re in base defense. But whatever the team needs. He’s a smart player. He’s a team guy.”
Defensive lineman Todd Denlinger said there was no need to approach Russell after the bowl game or the Navy game and offer encouragement or condolences.
“There’s no blame on Anderson, at least on our behalf,” he said. “I don’t know what people outside said, but Anderson’s a great kid. He’s a fighter and he’s had a great season for us this year. I know he’s had his ups and downs, but he’s done everything this team has asked him to do. He’s been a great contributor on special teams. Last week when it was his time to step up, he definitely stepped up.”
Russell deflects any questions about himself like a wind-blown pass headed for a receiver’s fingertips.
He said he’s had no problems playing so many roles, filling in instead of being a starter.
“I don’t know. It’s just something we have to do to win,” he said. “I want to win. So that’s what we’re doing right now.”
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