Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater scampers for 20 yards on a broken play during U of L’s spring football game.
Lots of things to be excited about at the University of Louisville spring football game, not the least of which were the 15,000 fans who weren’t intimidated by an early morning storm and intermittent rain during the scrimmage.
A loud, football savvy crowd, really into it, eager to see the progress Charlie Strong’s team has made. The enthusiasm at times resembling a game on the line, except that they were pulling for both teams.
Teddy Bridgewater, sophomore quarterback, picked up where he left off last season, completing 19 of 21 passes for 257 and three touchdowns. He would also pick up about 20 yards on a broken play.
“What he continues to do is get better,” said Strong after the scrimmage. “The thing about him is he is so easy to coach. A lot of times with guys that have had success so early, they get so full of themselves that they don’t want to listen, whereas with Teddy, he’s in the film room.”
Bridgewater’s touchdown passes were to DeVante Parker (26 yards), Andrell Smith (29 yards) and Dominique Brown (18 yards). Making the biggest impression, however, was wide receiver Scott Radcliffe with nine receptions for 119 yards.
“Radcliffe catches the ball and moves the chains. The thing about him is he makes the tough catches,” said Strong. “He doesn’t have to run away from anybody, he just has to get open. Where he’s placed is a lot of matchup. It’s him on a linebacker or him on a nickelback. We feel like we can win that battle and it’s an easy throw for the quarterback because he’s an inside receiver. He can just see the lanes open up.”
The kicking game was encouraging with four different kickers being used at different points. John Wallace, a red shirt freshman from Cecilia, Ky., made good on a 52-yard field goal attempt. Ryan Johnson, another red shirter from DeSales, displayed confidence while handling punting duties.
The starting unit, which spotted the second team 21 points, won the scrimmage 28-24. But it would be backup quarterback Will Stein who would throw the winning touchdown pass, a 21-yarder to senior receiver DeMarcus Topp with two minutes remaining.
Click on photo to find yourself if you were sitting around the 50-yard line on the West side.