Sept. 3, 2008

Note - The Patriot League is profiling one student-athlete from each of the seven football-playing institutions ahead of the 2008 season. The interviews were conducted at the 2008 Patriot League Football Media Day on July 31. Stories will be released in alphabetical order by school.

Lafayette's Russo Wants One More Year of Winning
By Matt Dougherty, Patriot League Media Relations Director

Lafayette senior fullback Joe Russo got used to winning in his first two seasons in Easton. The Leopards captured their second and third of three consecutive Patriot League titles in 2005 and 2006, and advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship each season.

After falling one game short of the Patriot League title in 2007, Russo, a co-captain in 2008, wants to lead the Leopards back to the title. They'll have to surprise the Patriot League coaches and sports information directors, who picked Lafayette fourth in the League's preseason poll.

"It is definitely a motivation but we don't look into it too much," Russo said. "It makes us that much hungrier to come back. But overall the preseason doesn't matter that much, what matters is what happens in the end and our team knows that."

What always matters at the end of the season for Lafayette is a date with local rival Lehigh, with the teams squaring off in the 144th edition of College Football's Most-Played Rivalry on Nov. 22 in Easton. Russo has never experienced defeat against the Mountain Hawks, as Lafayette rallied for a 21-17 victory in Bethlehem for its fourth consecutive win in the series last year.

Russo wants to keep it that way in November, and end his career with a perfect 4-0 record in the rivalry.

"It is nerve racking to play in the Lafayette-Lehigh game, especially playing in front of so many people," Russo said. "The game is very exciting and the excitement gets you that much more ready for it. You focus more. There is more pressure but that makes it that much more fun with it being so built up. We thrive under the pressure."

He added, "If we were to win our fourth straight game against Lehigh it would be a dream come true. It would be a nice way for the seniors to close out the regular season."

While the Lehigh rivalry always looms large, the Leopards have plenty of work to do before Nov. 22 rolls around, beginning on Saturday at Marist. Russo is excited to play a significant role in that progression in his role as co-captain along with senior linebacker and Buck Buchanan Award candidate Andy Romans.

"The honor of being a captain is something you work towards your whole life," Russo said. "It is great to be recognized as a leader. It is an honor especially to be picked from so many great guys."

On the field, Russo will once again play a key role as the Leopards' starting fullback. He has played in all 35 Lafayette games during his three seasons, and has started all 23 contests over the past two years. He caught 12 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 126 yards and a score in 2007.

Russo received First-Team All-Patriot League honors for his efforts, and was named the team's offensive back MVP. Of course, he also stuck out in the backfield because he was the Leopards' only consistent presence. Lafayette had six different running backs gain 200 yards or more as injuries decimated the position, and a quarterback change late in the season put Rob Curley at the helm.

Now, with Maurice White, DeAndre' Morrow and Tyrell Coon returning in the backfield after combining for more than 800 yards on the ground last season, and Curley entering his junior year after posting a 3-1 record as a starter in 2007, Russo believes the backfield has the experience and talent for success in 2008.

"I am very comfortable with Rob Curley at quarterback," Russo said. "He has experience under him and he is a good leader on and off the field. I have confidence in the decisions he makes. As for the running backs it is great to have three or four guys that can go in and contribute."

Russo believes those pieces can help the Leopards return to the top of the Patriot League, but as a two-time League champion he knows the climb is not easy.

"I love playing in the Patriot League," Russo said. "It doesn't get as much recognition as it should for the great talent that is within the League. But the Patriot League is a diamond in the rough. The players are very talented and we are all proud to play in the Patriot League.

He added, "It is especially nice to play in a League that has such a reputation for academic prestige."

Lafayette will face plenty of challengers for the League title, with Colgate among the teams on that list. When Lafayette visits the Raiders on November 1, the contest will be a final homecoming for Russo, who hails from nearby Utica, New York and graduated from T.R. Proctor.

Even though there was a League rival in his backyard, Russo only needed one visit to know that Lafayette was the place for him.

"At first I had never heard of Lafayette, but I got a call from one of the coaches and came down for a visit," he said. "When I visited campus I had a great time and I liked the guys on the team and the Easton area. I have never regretted my decision."

Russo majors in Chemistry at Lafayette, and is applying to go to dental school after graduation. For now, he'll mix football with academics for one more year and hope for another Patriot League title, and a win on Nov. 22.

For another look at Russo by Ron Moshier of the Utica (N.Y.) Times-Dispatch click here.