Written by Garin Turner Saturday night's game is must see and could be an early indicator to see who has a shot for the College Football Playoff this year when #3 Clemson Tigers (2-0) face #14 Louisville Cardinals (2-0, 1-0 Conf) in Louisville, Ky. This primetime game will start 7 PM central time on ABC. The last three games between these two have been decided by six points or less and have gone down to the final play of the game. Clemson has been on the winning side of them all. In last year's game, Clemson won 42-36. Lamar Jackson had 457 yards total including four touchdowns. Louisville came one yard short of a first down at the Clemson 3-yard line in the final seconds of the game. For Clemson, all they have to do is contain Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning and defending Heisman Trophy winner. Against Purdue and North Carolina, Jackson averaged 505 yards per game including 385 yards passing. Last Saturday against the Tarheels, Jackson became the second player in FBS history to have 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in consecutive games. Jackson is 55-85 for 771 yards and five touchdowns. He also has 40 carries for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Malik Williams has 13 carries for 149 yards. The Cardinals are more than just their star QB. Wide Receiver Jaylen Smith has 17 receptions for 300 yards and a touchdown. Dez Fitzpatrick has eight receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The Tigers are set at QB as well. After DeShawn Watson went to the NFL this year, Kelly Bryant has stepped up so far. Bryant is 35-51 for 417 yards and one touchdown and an interception. He's also carried 26 times for 136 yards and three touchdowns. WR Ray-Ray McCloud has nine receptions for 105 yards and Deon Cain has four receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. This game could come down to who has the ball last. Both defenses would like to have a strong performance. The Tigers have four All-American candidates on their defensive line. Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell at end with Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins at tackle all led a Clemson defense that recorded 11 sacks last week against Auburn. Clemson are ranked second nationally both in total defense and sacks. They are also in the Top 10 in seven defensive categories and have not allowed a touchdown this season. Louisville on the other hand, have been in two shoot out games with Purdue and North Carolina. Usually, the offense needs to stay on the field to give the defense a break but with Jackson and crew on offense, the defense might need to provide the rest. Written by Garin Turner For the second straight week, the Louisville Cardinals got all they could handle from their opponent. Last week it was the Purdue Boilermakers and this week the North Carolina Tar Heels gave it their best shot but fell short losing 47-35. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had another outstanding game on his quest to be only the second player to win the Heisman Trophy twice (Ohio State running back Archie Griffin.) Jackson was 25-39 for 393 yards and three touchdowns. The dual threat QB also ran 19 times for 132 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals had help in the running game besides their star QB. Malik Williams ran the ball 13 times for 149 yards. Wide receiver Jaylen Smith had a monster day as he had nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. Jackson has accounted for more than 1,000 total yards in only two games this season. The win puts the now ranked #14 (#17 coming into the contest) Cardinals at 2-0. Despite the explosive efforts of the Cardinals offense, they trailed the Tar Heels 28-27 entering the 4th quarter. With 13:50 left, Jackson scored on a 3-yard run. The Louisville defense stepped up with two critical fourth-down stops including at the 1-yard line to stop the Tar Heels. The loss drops NC to 0-2. It is the the first time since 2010 that UNC has started out the season 0-2. They lost their starting center Cam Dillard in the 3rd quarter. This was after being without another starter on the line, Bentley Spain. The Tar Heels rotated QB's for the second straight week. Brandon Harris, a LSU graduate transfer started last week against California. This week it was redshirt freshman Chazz Surratt who got the start. Surratt was 12 of 14 for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't play in the second half due to a hit to his back that caused him a lot of pain down his right leg. Harris came in and threw for 216 yards and a touchdown. Up Next Louisville: The Cardinals could be in for a third straight shootout as they start ACC play next week hosting the third-ranked and reigning national champion Clemson. UNC: The Tar Heels travel to Old Dominion from Conference USA in search of their first win of the season. Quotes QB Lamar Jackson: "I try to let my receivers show up every time. I don't like running the ball as much I like to stay in the pocket and let my receivers do their job." Head Coach Bobby Petrino: "It's a really good win for us on the road. It was a hard-fought game. I'm really proud of our players." Written by - Austin Holland Indianapolis, In- The University of Louisville Cardinals (1-0) faced off against The Purdue Boilmakers (0-1) in what many thought would be a one-sided affair. Under new coach Jeff Brohm the Boilmakers looked to pull off an upset. Louisville marched down the field to start off the game ultimately getting down to the one yard line before coughing up one of three fumbles on the night. Purdue recovered the ball and went three and out on their first possession of the game. It was a stalemate between the two teams, until Purdue struck first when Elijah Sindelar found Jackson Anthrop in the back of the end-zone for 6. Louisville and their captain Lamar Jackson took the field and looked to answer back, and they did just that as Jackson found his Tight End Jordan Davis for a 3-yard Touchdown evening the score at 7 at the end of the First Quarter. Coach Brohm who planned to use three Quarterbacks tonight switched out Sindelar for Blough, ultimately connecting for another Touchdown this time Richie Worship to put the Boilermakers up 14-10 to end the First Half of the game. Coming out of the half the defense and the entire Louisville team came out fired up ultimately equaling a Blanton Creque Field Goal closing the gap 14-13. The Boilermakers came back out and sliced up the U of L secondary, Blough notched his second touchdown of the night this time finding Brycen Hopkins for a 2-yard Touchdown pass. Jackson and a determined Louisville offense marched down the field, where Reggie Bonnafon broke a 10-yard run diving into the end zone for Six. Coach Petrino made a confusing call trying to tie up the game and attempting a Two-point conversion, where Jackson was met at the line ending in a failed Two-point conversion. Blough took the field one last time for the night to try to distance Purdue’s lead. Stacy Thomas had the beat on a pass from Blough ending in a 61-yard pick six. Again, Petrino made a decision that no one could understand up by Four he decided to go for Two again. Unfortunately, Jackson pass attempt was tipped and picked off in the end zone. This time Purdue capitalized on the mistake from Louisville ending in Anthrops 2nd touchdown of the night from Sindelar. Purdue was up 28-25 half way through the 4th quarter, the reigning Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson went back out to make his case for his 2nd Heisman campaign. Jackson found his new favorite target Dez Fitzgerald for a 20-yard strike to give them the lead. Crunch time came early for the Purdue offense after Louisville added their 3rd Field Goal of the night pushing the lead to 35-28. Unfortunately, Elijah Sindelar threw a crunch time interception to Chucky Williams to end the game and give the Cards their first win of the year. A game that should not have been as close as the final score predicted, 3 fumbles Two coming inside the Five-yard line. 15 penalties proved that the Fumble bug was not the only thing to affect the Louisville team tonight. When Lamar Jackson was asked “What happened tonight with the early tempo?” he answered “We most definitely under estimated Purdue tonight and they came out to play, and we thought we had it in the game”. Lamar couldn’t stop putting over the Purdue team tonight on how physically they played and the tempo they were playing with. The University of Louisville team has another tough rough test for them in Chapel Hill against a tenacious North Carolina football team. The Purdue team came out and proved they made the right decision in hiring Jeff Brohm. They have a tough season ahead of them hosting #11 Michigan and going to #9 Wisconsin, it’s going to be a tough season but this Purdue team is ready for the challenge.
Written By: Austin Holland
The University of Louisville Cardinals and The Purdue University Boilermakers are set to kick off the 2017 College Football season clashing at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cardinals are a heavy favorite over the Boilermakers, with the final line ending as The Cards are a 24.5-point favorite. Both teams are trying to bounce back from disappointing seasons. Recording a 3-9 record Purdue is sitting in a tough position being in the Big 10 having to play not only 16th ranked Louisville this season but are also hosting 11th ranked Michigan and 9th ranked Wisconsin. Purdue is led by Running Back Markell Jones and QB/WR Jared Sparks both looking for a break out seasons. DE Danny Ezechukwu is looking to be the leader that Purdue is looking for this season, playing with a Linebacker state of mind he looks to scare offenses and the Louisville offense Sept 2nd.
As far what to look for this Saturday from Louisville, they try to come back from dropping the final three games of the year to Houston, Kentucky, and LSU. The Offensive Line seemed to drop off the face of the earth. Head coach Bobby Petrino seems optimistic about the Offensive lines upcoming performance, with Geron Christian and Lukayus McNeil returning to the offensive line Petrino expects them “to have a really good year”. Reggie Bonnafon coming back will be key to Louisville's success this Saturday he will suit up at the Running Back position, he has been known for playing multiple positions for the Cardinals. Petrino has been on record of giving Bonnafon high praise and calling him “The Ultimate Team Player”. The biggest star for the Cardinals is the reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, he became the third player in NCAA history to pass for 30+ Touchdowns and run for 25+ touchdown right beside Tim Tebow and Cam Newton. Lamar is not the favorite in the Heisman candidacy, but he is in the contention. It’s hard to believe that he will not repeat as Heisman Trophy winner if he puts up the same numbers. The Key to Victory for both Purdue and Louisville this Saturday starts with the Boilermakers. Purdue needs to attack the Louisville's offensive line and try to get Lamar early. Attacking the Cards secondary line with the passing game would weaken Louisville's stamina. The Keys for Louisville are simple, get the passing game going early meaning attack down field with Jackson's arm. Mainly the thing Louisville needs to do is get Lamar going early, having the offensive line creating holes for their backfield. With Louisville being a 24 point favorite it’s hard to believe Purdue can overcome the firepower of Louisville's Offense and their Heisman Trophy winner.
Louisville Football Communications
Lamar Jackson and DeVante Peete are named captain for the second-straight season.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head football coach Bobby Petrino continuously stresses the importance of leadership, and that was noticeable as seven players were selected captains in a team vote on Saturday. Junior quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Reggie Bonnafon and offensive tackle Geron Christian, were selected to represent the offense, while cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Chucky Williams were voted to guide the defense. Junior wide receiver Devante Peete and punter Mason King were selected special teams captains. Voted a captain during his sophomore season last year, Jackson responded by becoming the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy. He rushed for a school-best 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns, while throwing for 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns. He recorded a school-best eight 100-yard rushing games and set another mark with 5,114 yards of total offense. A native of Louisville, Ky., Bonnafon has been moved to the running back position this year after also playing quarterback and wide receiver during his first three seasons. Playing most at wide receiver last year, Bonnafon recorded 13 receptions for 159 yards and five scores. Christian, a two time all-ACC performer, has made 26-straight starts at offense tackle, helping the Cardinals rush for a school record 3,148 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. On defense, Alexander has developed into one of the vocal leaders, but his play on the field has spoken the loudest. He led the team with five interceptions in 2016, including a pair versus Clemson and Virginia, while also registering 39 tackles in 13 starts. A two-year starter at safety, Williams has been referred by his coaches as the quarterback of the defense, finishing third on the team with 74 tackles last season. He also registered three interceptions, while also recovering two fumbles. Peete was named a special teams captain last season, and was one of the leaders on that unit with 10 tackles. Taking over as the punter last season, King excelled by averaging a school-record 43.9 yards a punt and placing 16 punts inside the 20-yard line. The Cardinals will open the season on Sept. 2 versus Purdue at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
Cards Football Communications
The Cardinals open the 2017 home slate versus Clemson on Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
(Louisville, Ky.) – Details of the University of Louisville’s 2017 football schedule are beginning to come into focus. The Atlantic Coast Conference on Wednesday announced the television and times for the Cardinals’ first three games of the season. Louisville opens the season with a neutral-site contest on Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., against Purdue in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff to be televised nationally by FOX. It is the first meeting between the two schools since 1987. The Cardinals start the league portion of their schedule on Sept. 9 at North Carolina, with a noon contest on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Clemson, the 2017 national champions, will serve as Louisville’s first home game. The matchup between the schools is set for Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on either ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for the neutral site matchup versus Purdue from $35 to $55 and information can be found at http://gocards.com/kickoffgame. Fans can still join the season ticket waitlist at gocards.com/fbwaitlist, by calling 502-GOCARDS, or emailing [email protected] The last day to renew 2017 football season tickets is May 31. Call 502-GOCARDS, email [email protected], or log in to your My Cardinals Account today. Written by Cameron Bramham The University of Louisville (UofL) football team limped towards the finish line in the 2016 season with a less than stellar performance against LSU in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. During the game Quarterback, Lamar Jackson was swarmed by an LSU defense that sacked him eight times. The Tigers never gave the Heisman Trophy winner a chance to get comfortable within the pocket as UofL finished the season with losses in three of their final four games, including the 29-9 defeat by the Tigers.
Many questions were raised heading into Louisville’s off-season with most surrounding how the team can improve around Jackson’s talent as a passer and runner. Seasons then changed from winter to spring and along with it, many changes for the Cardinals coaching staff too. The most notable change was felt on the defensive side with an essential switch of defensive coordinators between Louisville and Mississippi State. Todd Grantham left the Cards for Starkville, while former Bulldogs Defensive Coordinator, Peter Sirmon was tabbed for the vacated spot in Louisville days later. Although both coaches run a 3-4 style defense, the move affected some of Louisville’s recruiting prospects and saw one of its starting cornerbacks, Shaq Wiggins transfer from the program following the coaching carousel. Another move for the coaching staff was former Florida Assistant Coach, Mike Summers taking over as offensive line coach as many considered the offensive line to be the team’s Achilles heel after Jackson was sacked 46 times last season. “During the spring, I think we made some really good improvements, “Head Coach, Bobby Petrino said. “We’re still a work in progress. I think Coach Summers has done a really of getting our line’s hands inside on pass protection and I think we’re going to be good in the secondary.” With many players returning from last year’s team that throttled Florida State 63-20 and nearly pulled out a victory at Clemson, the Louisville Cardinals did not finish the season as the fans, coaches, or players had hoped. Many around the university, city, and nation are eager to see how these changes will affect the team in positive ways moving into the 2017 season. A season which is surely to be Jackson’s last in college as he is predicted to be a high selection in next year’s NFL Draft. With a total of 15 separate practices held, the team closed out the spring with their final practice and annual spring game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium this past Saturday on April 15. While Jackson, offensive line improvement and defensive changes remained as prominent topics on the practice field during the spring practices, many newcomers began to standout as playmakers and potential difference makers once the season begins in late summer and early fall. Most notably, true-freshman safety C.J. Avery displayed his versatility and four-star rating by playing multiple safety positions and even spent time with the number one defensive unit at the hybrid-outside linebacker position vacated by Josh Harvey-Clemons. Former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon also had a solid spring practice according to coaches. The senior started multiple games at quarterback during his freshman year but has since transitioned to wide-receiver and saw time at running back during the practices as well. Other surprise standouts from spring practice included sophomore running back, Trey Smith, sophomore cornerback, Cornelius Sturghill, sophomore safety, Khane Pass, senior tight end, Charles Standberry, and freshmen offensive linemen Cole Bentley and Robbie Bell. Although there are numerous questions for the entire team Jackson remains the team’s most discussed player. Rightfully so, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was the talk of college football last year and has become a celebrity around campus, the city of Louisville, and beyond. Recently, ESPN staff writer, Andrea Adelson released an article highlighting a seven areas Petrino and the rest of the UofL coaching staff wanted to see Lamar improve on from last season. “We have a lot of things to work on but what we try to focus on is really understanding the coverages,” Petrino said about Jackson. “Seeing the safeties and seeing them in pre-snap and post-snap. Understanding whether the linebackers are working downhill which tells you its man coverage or dropping into zones.” Other areas Petrino wants to see Jackson improve on are his sets in the pocket, inside pressure, and throwing the ball away rather than taking a sack. Petrino said Jackson struggled against zone last year especially towards the end of the season in games against Houston, adding that “it’s a lot harder to throw the ball against zone because you have to read (the defense).” Overall the team has begun to address many concerns that coaches and fans have from last season. It’s evident this UofL team has talent across the field at each position and can compete for an ACC crown and possibly a birth in the coveted College Football Playoff. However, early on it would also appear as they will fly as high as their star quarterback can take them. It will be an interesting year for Jackson, his teammates, and coaches as they figure out ways to help this team improve from last year’s slide and take that next step as a championship level football team. |
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