Defense, as feared, was pretty pathetic overall. Some improvements were noted in a three-point loss to previously winless Syracuse but there were so many errors in crucial situations. It is becoming increasingly obvious that there was dramatic coaching slippage during the off season. Still too many players in the backfield who look like they are new to the game of football.

Sure makes you appreciate the job Petrino did last season with many of the same players, winning the Big East championship and the Orange Bowl. U of L appears to have dropped a level or two in terms of player skills.

The coach uses so much coach-speak that it’s impossible to tell whether he is capable of providing the leadership that would make this team a contender. Cliches? We heard the all already several times. Right the ship, get things turned around, no question about it, etc., etc. Who are you Coach Kragthorpe? Is there a real personality beneath that predictable robot persona?

Attendance: The most impressive showing of the day came from the fans, with 40,972 of them showing for a noon kickoff with temperatures in the mid-90’s. Greatly exceeding everyone’s expectations. We can thank Petrino for creating so many more U of L football fanatics during his tenure.

U of L football is at a new beginning as we enter the fourth game of the season against Syracuse. The Cards have a 2-1 record, but have failed to live up to expectations. Most of us failed to appreciate what the loss of Coach Bobby Petrino and some exceptional players on defense (including three now in the NFL) would affect the defensive side of things. That, added to a new coaching staff, has created some confusion during the early going.

We should have known but were afraid to admit to ourselves that a coaching transition is not always smooth. Instead, we listened to our fellow fans on the Internet message boards and believed the pre-season polls that had U of L listed among the top 10 teams this year.

The first inkling that we weren’t possibly going to roll over people came in the opener against Murray State when a team that was 1-10 last year marched the ball 80 yard down the field for an early touchdown. The next week was much worst against Middle Tennessee State when they moved the ball almost at will against the Cards before we finally prevailed 58-42.

Then came the disaster against Kentucky with a player wide open on the final play to nail us with a 40-34 loss. We melted time and time again against a Kentucky offense, often lining up wrong and drawing penalties at the worst possible times.

But that’s history. Hopefully we begin the climb again tomorrow against a Syracuse team that is 0-3. I fear, however, that our struggles on defense may continue.