Okay, Victor Anderson, your turn to lead.
That’s if Bilal Powell remains on the sideline in the Syracuse game, nursing the bruised knee he incurred against Pittsburgh.
“Vic Anderson is back this week, and he practiced today — full pads, full contact, the whole deal,†said offensive coordinator Mike Sanford. “He’s ready to go.”
What Louisville football fans want to see is the same Victor Anderson who, as a freshman two seasons ago, became school’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005 when he ran for 1,047 yards and eight touchdowns. The Big East’s Rookie of the Year during his freshman season.
They want the player who flinched when asked about a last place prediction for Louisville, responding “that’s just a prediction. Predictions mean nothing when the lights come on, the clock starts ticking, and the whistle blows. Whoever comes out that day and executes will win the game.”
I’ve been very curious about the situation with Vic since before the season started. It seemed like as soon as Coach Strong arrived Vic was pushed back on the depth chart behind Powell…like something happened between him and the new coach. Then there was Vic abruptly deleting his Twitter account. It’s all been kind of strange, considering VA was our featured back until this year.
Don’t forget Vic was hurt all spring, and Coach Strong remembered Powell’s potential from watching him play in HS. Add in all the struggles Powell has been through, it probably helped them connect. I don’t think there is anything unusual going on, we need as many running backs as we can get, especially considering Anderson’s not the most durable guy on the team. Anderson will be the guy on offense next year, nothing wrong with him playing second fiddle to Powell who has shown way more on the field this year.
It was just extremely surprising. Powell had never really shown me anything before this year….my friends and I always called him “Mr. TFL” (Tackled For Loss). Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s developed so much, as he seems to be an incredibly intuitive runner, not to mention his physical gifts. But it seemed like it came out of nowhere, that as soon as Coach Strong came in he shoved Vic back to the #2 spot on the depth chart. It seemed like, even during camp, that Coach might like Wright better than Vic.
Phil, Powell had a good sophomore year returning kickoff and punt returns, so good in fact that fans were crying for Powell to get a chance in the backfield.
Haha….not THIS fan or any I know. I’m just glad Vic’s back where he belongs…if only for the time being. I can’t dispute, though, that Bilal has grown into himself and become beastly this year. It would have been nice to have three years of it instead of one plus two years of being “Mr. TFL.”
Great to hear Vic Anderson will be back for the Syracuse game,just in the nick of time i might add, because we need his game experience.Hopefully Vic can step his game up a notch, because if Bilal can’t play this week we will need the 2008 version of Victor Anderson to show up.GO CARDS