WATCH: MSU DE De'Monte Russell media ops - Auburn Week
Mississippi State defensive end De’Monte Russell met with the media earlier this week to discuss how he feels after his first game back in the saddle against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Q: How good did it feel to be back last week and help your team earn a win?
Russell: It felt great. It felt great. The feeling is unbelievable. I’m glad to be back.
Q: What was the moment like when you went to check on your younger brother, Donterry, this weekend when he was down on the field?
Russell: It was just a real big brother moment. You know, I told him that I don’t like to see him hurt or anything like that. I mean, it’s vice versa so I just (went to) check on him.
Q: While you were injured, Donterry kind of had his break out. What was it like to be on the field together Saturday?
Russell: It was actually watching film. We said to ourselves that we didn’t even realize we were on the field together. We didn’t even realize it until we watched film together and I was like ‘I didn’t know you were in the game,’ but it was fun.
Q: Was there anything different you guys were doing up front that caused you to get so much pressure on Saturday?
Russell: It was just a matter of getting home – same old same old.
Q: What was it like from the sideline getting to watch Donterry have these breakout games?
Russell: It was a great experience to be able to get our there and watch my little brother handle business. Like I said, he’s steadily growing each and every game and getting better, so once he gets it down pat, he’ll be one of those.
Q: It seemed like there was more front side pressure…was that part of the game plan or something based on personnel?
Russell: I would say a little bit of both, because we knew what we were getting ourself into, so we just had to go in there and handle business.
Q: How does the defense carry over to this weekend’s game against Auburn?
Russell: I’d just say that it’s preparation through the week. Nothing changing, and we know who we’ve got. It’s not like we (haven’t) faced some in the past before, so it’s just about going and handling business.
Q: You and Donterry both had the option to go play out of state. What are your thoughts on college players staying home for their college careers?
Russell: I think for one, you’re playing for your own state. There’s nothing like being home and playing for your home state, and just the fans and the love here. If you go out of state, it’s going to be hard to regenerate (that love), unless you just…get a shot and play right away. Just being here, man, the atmosphere is crazy. The family, it’s all brotherly love, everything.
Q: Shoutout to the medical and training staff for getting you back out there?
Russell: Oh yeah. Shout out to them, man. It’s always hard work and dedication (with them). I was like ‘Oh my God.’
Q: What’d you tell Bookie (Watson) when you found out he got SEC Defensive Player of the Week?
Russell: Oh, I had already told him before they announced that. I was like ‘Yeah, you went crazy,’ but congratulations to him. That’s my dog, my brother on and off the field. He earned it and deserved it.
Q: What do you remember from the big trip to Auburn a couple of years ago?
Russell: Yeah, we know that the atmosphere there is going to be crazy. It’s one of those teams that you can’t really sleep on, and we’ve just got to go in there with our helmets, hard hats and lunch boxes ready to play.
