Fans discouraged by the University of Louisvile’s less than impressive win over Murray State may want to cut a little slack.
Twenty U of L players were appearing in their first college football game ever, including 12 of the 20-member freshman class and six redshirt freshmen. Seven players were first-time starters.
- True freshmen (12) — Teddy Bridgewater, Jamon Brown, Kamran Joyner, Stephan Robinson, John Miller, Andrew Johnson, Lorenzo Mauldin, B. J. DuBose, Calvin Pryor, Justin Gilmore, Terrell Floyd, and DeVonte Parker.
- Redshirt freshmen (7) –Michaelee Harris, Jamaine Brooks, Jake Smith, Kamal Hagan, Grant Donovan, and Jarel McGriff-Carver.
- Upper classmen in first game (2): George Durant and Nick Heuser.
- First time starters (7): Preston Brown (LB), Hector Hernandez (LT), Andrew Johnson (CB), Ryan Kessling (RT), Jake Smith (RG), John Miller (LG), and Michaelee Harris (WR).
- Number of players from Florida noted above (14) — Bridgewater, Harris, Hernandez, Kessling, Joyer, Brooks, Smith, Miller, Johnson, DuBose, Pryor, Floyd, Durant and McGriff-Carver.
Behind the eight ball, practically starting from scratch, green as it gets. But Charlie Strong had expectations, they had to get the job, first game or not, no newby excuses.
Thanks for the excellent background data, Observer. It is increasingly apparent that the shelves are nowhere near being fully-stocked yet. It’s looking like 6-7 or 7-6 this year, but at least we’re building a future now. It’s a good thing coach has no hair already…just sayin’.