Blue and Gold Illustrated

June-July 2013 - BGI

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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NO FEAR KeiVarae Russell has a new attitude at cornerback after surviving his freshman season T By Dan Murphy he bruise from the crimson No. 42 helmet that landed on KeiVarae Russell's chest didn't fade for two weeks. Russell felt it each morning when he woke up and every afternoon in the gym. Alabama running back Eddie Lacy imposed his will on most of the Notre Dame defense in the BCS National Championship Game. Lacy's 157 allpurpose yards and two scores that night provided an immediate and obvious lesson for the youngest starter on the Irish defense. The bruise made sure he didn't forget it. When the 230-pound Lacy came face to face with the freshman, more than 50 pounds his lesser, the matchup was almost comical. "I was at 178 [pounds] in the BCS game. I'm not gonna tackle Lacy at 178. It's just not going to work," Russell said. "I felt it every time he ran. I just thought this isn't going to work." He and cornerbacks coach Kerry Cooks both said that getting bigger and more physical was Russell's top priority during the offseason. Out of his pads, the soon-to-be sophomore defensive back has added a noticeable extra layer of bulk to the wiry frame he wrapped around some of the country's top wide receivers as a rookie. He said he started spring practice at roughly 190 pounds. Russell's extra weight, and a sinkor-swim freshman year against a who's who of college football players, helped him shed the fear that he says held him back during his first campaign at Notre Dame. The Washington native is not one to shy away from the spotlight. During the month of spring practice, he spent his nights preparing for a debut theatre performance in the university's production of "Intimate Apparel," where he played George Armstrong, the smooth-talking male lead. On the field, though, Russell said he was hesitant to play a starring role last year. "I always wanted to make plays, but I'd be like, 'Oh my God, I don't want to be the one to mess up. I'm a freshman. They're all going to yell at me,'" he said. The chatty cornerback has been stuck on fast forward since he arrived on campus a year ago. He moved swiftly from running back to defensive back to a 13-game starter on one of the nation's top defenses. Russell

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