All Entries Tagged With: "Victor Anderson"
Happy Thanksgiving U of L Fans
by Sonja Sykes
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, this time of year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the many things for which University of Louisville fans can be thankful. Here is a brief list of the things that give us reason:
- Jeff Walz and the Lady Cards. A trip to the final four, the excellent play of Angel McCoughtry and the encouraging start to the 2009-10 season. The electric atmosphere in Freedom Hall for games is something you need to experience.
- Rick Pitino and the men’s team. A trip to the regional finals and good times in Indy. A new team that has 10 guys that may not have the NBA draft status of T-Will and Earl, will give Cardinal fans plenty to get excited about in the upcoming season. An exciting mix of the new and old, and a coach that can get it done.
- Dan McDonnell and the baseball team. The fun involved with watching Chris Dominguez, the tight pitching staff and another run at Omaha is a blessing and another dynasty in Cardinal athletics is evident.
- Tom Jurich for the coaches he has hired, the wise decision making he has displayed and the patience to make a studied and informed decision on the future of a particular program that needs some changes.
- A football team that produced and developed some exciting playmakers. Trent Guy, Scott Long, Vic Anderson, Darius Ashley and my defensive heroes gave me a reason to go and cheer, despite the dismal season results.
- Leonard Yelin and the overachieving volleyball team. Learning and growing as the season progressed, they were the best in the Big East tournament and will play in the NCAA Championships.
- Ken Lolla and the men’s soccer team. Another Big East trophy to put in the showcase and the promise of more things to be grateful about next year.
- Pam Bustin and the field hockey team. Perennial top 10 rankings and a stellar performance from a young and rebuilding squad. Another sport you need to go out and watch life. You’ll be thankful that you did.
- Sandy Pearsall and women’s softball. The Lady Bat Cards are building a roster that is second to none in the Big East and play in the best facilities in the Big East, if not the nation.
- Track and field, women’s soccer, swimming, golf, all nationally competitive, too. Lacrosse coming on. That’s what happens when you start a list, wow.
Finally, a thank you to all those involved with this site. Whether a contributor, observer or occasional guest, you make the show here and we thank you for your wise council, excellent columns and comments and discussion that far outshine any other Cardinal sports site on the Internet.
May the joy of the Thanksgiving season, time with friends and family and reflection on all the things we can truly give thanks for fill your heart with happiness and cheer your hours during this holiday season.
Victor Anderson’s Season Over
There will officially be one less weapon for Steve Kragthorpe’s offense in the season finale: Victor Anderson will undergo surgery Tuesday and miss Friday’s game.
Anderson did not see action against South Florida and has been used sparingly since injuring his clavicle, participating only in eight games. He is the leading rusher with 473 yards and five touchdowns.
Darius Ashley and Bilal Powell will carry the load against a Rutgers defense that gave up 213 yards rushing and 211 passing in a shocking 31-13 loss to Syracuse.
Don’t Let Your Eyes Deceive You
By Tom Stosberg
Despite what the won-lost record says, the Louisville football team is loaded.
Think about it. U of L has three, maybe even four excellent quarterbacks. Guys who not only can throw but aren’t afraid to run…with pretty good moves to boot.
And speed in the backfield. Victor Anderson and Darius Ashley could start anywhere in the country. They are both “feature” backs who have the speed to play on Sundays.
We are also flush with outstanding receivers. Our special teams are loaded. The defense has some emerging superstars.
Why is our Cardinal football team so loaded with talent?
Because Coach Greg Nord continues to do what he has been doing for the past 15 years…finding great talent and convincing them to come to U of L. It’s as simple as that. Through all types of coaches, with all sorts of offensive and defensive schemes, against all kinds of competition, Coach Nord has kept the pipeline full by working his magic. Makes one wonder if Card fans know how valuable he is.
This is a man who understands relationships, has a remarkable eye for great talent, maintains an unbelievable contact network and is relentless in his pursuit of excellence.
One of the secrets to Coach Nord’s success …people like him…high school and junior college coaches, parents, boosters. And there is no doubt that Greg Nord is one of the best kept secrets in U of L’s football program.
But he can only do so much.
Hanging Around For A Win
To state the obvious: No, the University of Louisville football team’s skin-of-the-teeth 25-23 win over Southern Mississippi will not give coach Steve Kragthorpe any breathing room. Later it will be remembered that Southern Miss was playing without its star quarterback and some key offensive players.
- The observer will swear Kragthorpe winks right into the lens of Jumbotron camera just before kickoff. What?
- What’s most impressive about the finish is that about 85% of the fans in the crowd of 37,258 are still hanging around. Still raising hell through final 30 seconds. Quite different from a week ago.
- Times have changed for U of L football. People showing up to watch a team with a 1-3 won-lost record, a team with a beleaguered coach, a team with more doubting fans than believers. As long as U of L has a chance, fans will rally around, plenty of them.
Calvin Williams and Carlos Realpe.
- Some dreading a conclusion where the outcome depends on Louisville’s kicking game.
- A field goal no less. The barefooted Ryan Payne making a dream come true, punching it through the uprights from 32 yards out.
- But another kicker also plays a pivotal role. Kickoff specialist Chris Philpott maybe making a game-saving tackle in the third quarter on USM’s Tracey Lampley’s 44-yard return. No one between Lampley and the goal but Philpott. If USM scores, momentum switches and the game goes down the tube.
- Trent Guy, written off as a kick returner after his latest fumble, returns to good grace with the 64-yard kickoff return. Possibly an example of the “purpose” to which he often alludes.
- The pass from Adam Froman to Scott Long taking forever to get there, falling out of orbit into Long’s hands — a 92-yard spectacle if ever there is one.
The coaching controversy and all its ugliness will return soon enough, as will fans aching for wins.
Louisville Teases Fans In First Half, Fizzles In Second
Gotta admit, the first half had Louisville football fans excited, optimistic, more than a few wondering (or hoping) if Steve Kragthorpe may have turned a corner. The crowd of 39,948 on its feet more than during any game since a surprising win over Rutgers in the final 2007 game.
A real buzz in the concourse at halftime. The beer was flowing, life was good again.
But the 10-7 lead would quickly dissipate during the third quarter, with some familiar looking and disappointing pass coverage. Along with the lead were many of the partisans, headed for early exit.
- Surprising: The confidence and natural leadership of quarterback Adam Froman. Would have something resembling a quarterback controversy if there weren’t so many other issues. Intuitive, intelligent, good running and passing decisions. No interceptions, none. First in a while in a Big East game for a U of L quarterback.
- Anemic: An offensive line unable to run block or protect the passer, giving up six sacks in the process.
- Cornered: Victor Anderson in the backfield, but still managing to gain 51 yards.
- Impressive: Darius Ashley, showing lightning quickness, gaining 14 yards on three carries. Too bad about the shoulder.
- Determined: Joe Tronzo, having to cross the goal line a second time after a review cancels out a touchdown.
- Unacceptable: Unnecessary unsportsmanlike penalties after good defensive plays.
- Frustrating: Official review that requires about four minutes to decide a play. What part of indisputable do they not understand?
- Quotable: Fan who said if Steve Kragthorpe stays here a fourth year, U of L might have a lead after the third quarter of a game.
- Promising: Attendance of 39,948, a near capacity crowd of people, the vast majority of whom knew going U of L did not have much of a shot. May be getting to a place where fan support remains strong in spite of the won-lost record.
- For Emphasis: That’s 39,948 for a game that was televised locally and nationally, mind you.
