Losing isn't fun. And Junior Defensive End Larry Ross saw that this season.     

Still, the recipient of 2017 scholarship funds provided by Anne-Grethe Morris in memory of her husband, Major Morris, said the season was full of highlights for him.     

This season, Ross was coming off a red-shirt sophomore year where a couple of stress fractured vertebrae caused him to miss the entire season. So, just being back on the field was a highlight in itself.    

"I knew I'd play a lot this year. But I didn't know I'd start," said the 6-3, 230-pounder who attended De La Salle High School in Concord, CA ("But, I'm really from Pittsburgh, CA," he wanted to emphasize). Ross started the majority of the 2017 season.     

There probably were highlights for him in every game he played this year.    

"Of course, it's never good losing. I hate to lose. But, I love to play football and there aren't many games left to play. To be out there with guys you care about is really special," Ross said.      

A couple of individual games did stick out. His first quarterback sack this season at Cal Poly was one.      

"It was a close game, a tie game and that sack really changed the momentum of the game. And, it was in California so my family was watching," he recalled.      

Another was the game against Oregon State which the Vikings nearly won.     

"The most fun last year was playing Oregon State. There was a good crowd. It was a close game and all the guys were out there having fun. It seemed like everyone in the world was there because it's only a couple hours away," he said.      

And Ross earned his highlights, said defensive line coach David Lose.      

"He's brings his lunch pail and hard hat to work each day. He has a lot of energy and is an unselfish, team player. He's very coachable," said Lose.       

Assessing his game at this point, Ross said "I'm not the fastest or strongest guy on the team, but I'm fundamentally sound. I have my own technique and I can make it work."      

Regaining his edge after an injury year out wasn't easy.     

"I was out of shape and I worked hard on getting my core stronger. I wanted to be in shape for the year, so I did a lot of cardio. I was at the rec center two or three times a week every week. We'd play basketball, then I'd go off on my own and work on my core… do things to help make it stronger," he said.       

Last year as a sophomore, he also concentrated on his academics.

"I messed up my freshman year. You know, I was away from home. No one was telling me when to study," he said. "It took me a little while to adjust to college and the freedom."        

That changed his sophomore year when he carried a B average and he's on track to graduate next year in communications with a minor in advertising. He had a public relations internship last summer and decided that wasn't for him. At this point, he looking at something in marketing after graduation.        

Asked what he needs to work on in the off season, Ross replied quickly: "Everything!"        

"Probably the first thing I need to work on is gaining a few pounds… then I need to work on my strength and my speed," he said.        

Lose agrees that Ross needs to get strong and faster in the off season.        

"Like everyone, he needs to get stronger in the off season. He also needs to be mentally tough and prepared for his senior year… able to work through the adversity and trials that come with this game," Lose said.        

And Ross wants to continue getting better. As he said: "there aren't that many games left in my career. I didn't come into this year with expectations. I came into the year with goals. My goal was to contribute as much as I could to the team, to help the defense in any way possible."           

He has the same goal for next season.