Russi's late play helps save the day
     By Ted Lee
Posted Nov 3, 2008
Copyright © 2010 BearInsider.com
Matt Russi/photo by GoldenBearSports.com
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If you've ever worked at a job where you've toiled for years and
you've finally made that big breakthrough that'll help get you some
notice only to see the credit go to someone else, Matt Russi
understands exactly how you feel.
- Russi made one of the key plays in Saturday's win over then-#23
Oregon, when early in the fourth quarter, with the Bears hanging on
to a 19-16 lead, Duck punt returner Jairus Byrd muffed a Bryan Anger
punt. As Byrd and Cal's Marcus Ezeff dove after the ball, it
squirted away. The 5-foot-9 junior dove onto the ball giving the
Bears a 1st-and-goal on the Oregon 6. The Bears scored two plays
later on a two-yard touchdown run by Shane Vereen, putting them up
10, 26-16 and giving them a comfortable working margin for the rest
of the game.
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- The only problem is that initially, no one knew that Russi had
made the play.
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- On flip card that's handed to the media, most reporters work
with the side that lists the numerical roster which comes with the
pronunciation guide. On that side, Russi is listed as #33, a number
that he had shared with fullback Brian Holley. However, on the back,
in tiny type, Russi is listed as #39.
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- The press box PA announcer said that Marcus Ezeff recovered the
fumble. While Ezeff was standing right next to Byrd when he fumbled
the ball, Ezeff did make the first dive after the ball but couldn't
have recovered it.
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- On the ABC broadcast, there was a pause as David Norrie and
Terry Gannon tried to figure out what was going on, but Russi was
never conclusively identified.
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- The original AP story (which was subsequently corrected) said
that Russi had initially fell on the ball and Ezeff had recovered
the fumble.
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- Russi understands the confusion.
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- “I changed from 33 to 39 a few games ago,” said Russi.
“There was another 33 on the punt unit and it was easier to change
numbers that to keep switching jerseys during a game. Plus, I
wanted a number to myself and 39 was unused.”
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- With special teams on a wet day, a lot of things can happen
simply by being alert. While you can't really plan that somebody
will fumble a punt, you can arrange to be somewhere near should
something happen.
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- “I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time,”
said Russi. “(Special teams) coach (Pete) Alamar is always telling
us if its rainy or windy that the special teams can cause a big
change in momentum, so we've got to be ready.”
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- As Anger's punt sailed in the air, Russi was able to make his
way down the field easily and as he bore down on the play, he had
that odd sense you get when you think something out of the ordinary
might happen.
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- “I realized it at the last second that as I saw him leaning I
knew there was potential that he might muff it,” said Russi.
“Initially, I'm just running hard down there but when I got near
the punt returner I saw what might be happening.”
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- Byrd fumbled the ball, and both he and Ezeff dove for it.
However the ball slid away from them.
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- “It was just a reaction at that point,” said Russi.
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- As Russi raced ahead, he noticed Oregon's Willie Glasper was
closer to the ball.
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- “I tried to box him out and take an angle and get to his front
side,” said Russi. “Fortunately, there were other guys that
jumped in and they started pulling him back. He did get an arm in
there even though I boxed him out, a couple of other teammates got
to him. But all the guys who jumped on were teammates so that was
OK. There weren't any gouged eyes or anything that people tell me
about that happens at the bottom of those piles.”
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- With Anthony Felder, Marvin Jones, Zach Smith, Brian Holley and
D.J. Campbell all making sure that no funny business took place at
the bottom of the pile, the refs ruled Cal ball, giving the ball to
the Bears in excellent field position.
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- Prying the ball loose from Russi's grasp would have been a task,
as the media guide says he's one of the strongest players on the
team, with a bench press of 400 pounds and a squat of 505 pounds
which is the best-ever among Cal linebackers.
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- “I was stoked to make a play for the team,” said the
244-pound Russi. “We were really battling out there and it was a
huge momentum swing for us.”
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- For the junior for nearby Danville, this play was easily the
biggest of his Cal career.
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- “Definitely. I have a few tackles on special teams, but I've
never been able to make a play like that” said Russi, who now has
a better highlight to replace his previous one. I've had a few good
hits, but I knocked myself out at UCLA. It was on a kick-off and I
didn't get blocked, so I was running free on the kick and I hit
someone with the top of my helmet on a helmet-to-helmet hit and got
a concussion.”
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- Russi attended Monte Vista High School and had developed a good
relationship with the Tedford family prior to coming to Cal.
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- “I've known (Coach Tedford) and I knew Taylor and Quinn
because we went to the same high school,” said Russi, who's
majoring in American Studies. “I also came to a couple of camps.
He's been good to me and we've always communicated.
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- I knew coming as a walk-on that coach Tedford had confidence in
me. I knew he wouldn't tell me that I'd get on the field if it he
didn't mean it. I couldn't turn down the education at Cal, it was my
best option.”
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- Coming out of spring practice, Russi worked extensively with the
second unit defense as an inside linebacker, but during his Golden
Bear career, he's made his mark on special teams where he's seen
extensive action the past three years.
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- “When I walked on I knew the best way to get on the field was
through special teams,” said Russi, who in what there is of his
spare time hangs out with friends and plays video games from time to
time. “A lot of it is about wanting it more, as long as you have
that, you can be a special teams player. On special teams you've
got a bunch of guys willing to take on a role. You've got guys that
want to make a difference, have a lot of courage and are high impact
guys.”
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- With his receding hairline, one could see how Russi might not
look like a typical college student. While he's certainly not
anywhere near belonging to the Greg Oden/Granville Waiters school of
how to look twice your age while being in college, he did receive
the honor of being bestowed a nickname from former Cal running back
Marshawn Lynch.
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- “He called me 'Pops.' I guess he thought I looked old,” said
Russi, who is grateful that the nickname never stuck.
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- Unlike offense or defense where there are forceful personalities
who can exert influence over a huddle, on special teams, there's
really no need for any one person to assert himself.
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- “The energy's with all of us,” said Russi. “Everybody's
willing to step up to be a leader. Special teams is cool because
we've got guys from offense and that are all together trying to
reach a goal.”
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