Okay, so when it comes to U of L football, I try to put a positive spin on things. Having followed this program for several decades, I have been conditioned to doing so because the program has experienced more than a few rough spots. However, the brand of football we’ve seen this season has been frustrating. I have seen the same bad football as everybody else.

The comments of one of our readers here deserve to put up front on the board because they reflect the views of many U of L football fans:

“Unfortunately, I’m a season ticket holder who is forced to watch these disgusting…things…at close range. Observations about the Pitt game:

• About 7000 no shows “voicing” disapproval.

• Grey leaden sky all game, mirroring general spirit of crowd pre-game and for much of game.

• UConn deja vu ugly train wreck of a finish — lucky to win the game. Drained most of fun out of game.

• Another trick play against us goes for a big gain, this time a TD (what is that–5 on the season? I quit counting. ) We used to be the team that pulled the rabbits out.

• Pedestrian, predictable play calling again, lets opposing D coordinators prepare well for us, and keeps us scoring in the 20’s (instead of 40’s) — and today we had everyone back on O, so what is the excuse now?

“The play calling says this to me: We don’t play ferociously to win –we play not to lose. The only time K gets super aggressive is with his back against the wall.

“Positives: Brian, Brock, Harry, and Bilal Powell! And maybe marginal improvement on D — but hard to tell since Pitt’s O is so bad.

“My nightmare scenario posted after the Syracuse game is going to happen: I said my fear was that K would somehow get to 5-7 or 6-6 and he’d keep his job. And we’d be stuck with mediocrity.

“Because ever since Mid Tenn (or Syracuse!) I was convinced he’s never going to be better than a top 20-40 range coach — and every game since then has merely confirmed it more in my mind.

“And, Charlie, it’s time for you to rev up and understand the new world of sports. It’s corporate to the core — Ricky P and Tom J use the code words all the time (branding, etc.).

“As in the high level corporate world, there is no long-term loyalty, on the part of the exec or the employer. The nonsense of wanting a top 10 coach to pledge to “stay forever” is fairy tale– unless he’s at the end of his career like Pitino.

“And though the high level corporate world is certainly not perfect, it is an effective, efficient system–and a very reasonable model to use here.

“If you don’t produce — you’re out quickly. VERY QUICKLY if you take over a smooth running system with 10 yrs of very “profitable” yrs and a ton of talent returning– and then start posting “losses”.

“There are no “excuses” at that level in business– nor should there be at this level in sports. The top ones simply overcome and still get it done.

“And guys like K….don’t.”

* * *

[Agree or disagree? Please leave your comments.]

Nobody would have been surprised if the Louisville defense had collapsed with Pittsburgh poised at the one-yard line. Pitt’s LeSean McCoy already had 125 yards behind him, needing only one more for his third touchdown. Overtime loomed.

Three minutes earlier, McCoy had appeared invincible, carrying six U of L defensive players with him from the five-yard line into the end zone.

Not this time thanks to Lamar Myles and Rod Council, U of L’s most consistent defenders all season long. Myles tipped the ball out of McCoy’s hands, Council recovered the fumble. Game over.

Brian Brohm suffers in comparison with himself. When he makes a mistake, people shake their heads. As good as he is, Brian badly needs to work at throwing the ball away when it’s obvious that a sack is coming.

The defense is improving, holding the opposition scoreless in the first quarter for the second game in a row. Not too shabby in the second and third quarters either. Gotta stay pumped when the clock is running out in the fourth.

Mario Urrutia four catches, no drops, and no penalties. No negative impressions. A feel good experience.

* * *

Bilal Powell continues to impress. Haven’t seen instincts and speed like that in U of L’s offensive backfield since the days of Arnold Jackson in the late nineties.

* * *

After the game, I had an opportunity to chat with Dennis Donoghue, the father of U of L offensive lineman Mike Donoghue, who suffered a career-ending spinal injury in the Cincinnati game. He was named a student assistant coach by Kragthorpe this week.

Dennis (see photo at right) was wearing the familiar No. 66 jersey in honor of his son. “Mike is obviously disappointed but he will be okay,” he said. “He has recently changed his major from communications to finance so he’s going through a lot of changes. We have a lot of confidence in him.”

Nobody would have been surprised if the Louisville defense had collapsed with Pittsburgh poised at the one-yard line. Pitt’s LeSean McCoy already had 125 yards behind him, needing only one more for his third touchdown. Overtime loomed.

Three minutes earlier, McCoy had appeared invincible, carrying six U of L defensive players with him from the five-yard line into the end zone.

Not this time thanks to Lamar Myles and Rod Council, U of L’s most consistent defenders all season long. Myles tipped the ball out of McCoy’s hands, Council recovered the fumble. Game over.

Brian Brohm suffers in comparison with himself. When he makes a mistake, people shake their heads. As good as he is, Brian badly needs to work at throwing the ball away when it’s obvious that a sack is coming.

The defense is improving, holding the opposition scoreless in the first quarter for the second game in a row. Not too shabby in the second and third quarters either. Gotta stay pumped when the clock is running out in the fourth.

Mario Urrutia four catches, no drops, and no penalties. No negative impressions. A feel good experience.

* * *

Bilal Powell continues to impress. Haven’t seen instincts and speed like that in U of L’s offensive backfield since the days of Arnold Jackson in the late nineties.

* * *

After the game, I had an opportunity to chat with Dennis Donoghue, the father of U of L offensive lineman Mike Donoghue, who suffered a career-ending spinal injury in the Cincinnati game. He was named a student assistant coach by Kragthorpe this week.

Dennis (see photo at right) was wearing the familiar No. 66 jersey in honor of his son. “Mike is obviously disappointed but he will be okay,” he said. “He has recently changed his major from communications to finance so he’s going through a lot of changes. We have a lot of confidence in him.”

This really isn’t the Tom Jurich fan club blog but, by gosh, we could all learn some life lessons from the man. Let’s hope he writes a book after he resolves the gridiron challenge.

Tom will oversee groundbreaking for a new women’s field hockey facility Thursday evening before a match against Indiana University at 7 p.m. Get there a little early so you can also watch warm ups.

Thanks to a gift from cosmetic surgery specialist Randy Waldman, construction will begin on the new Marshall Center, which include offices for the field hockey staff and new seating for 1,500 spectators. The entire expansion will encompass over 14,000 square feet.

This really isn’t the Tom Jurich fan club blog but, by gosh, we could all learn some life lessons from the man. Let’s hope he writes a book after he resolves the gridiron challenge.

Tom will oversee groundbreaking for a new women’s field hockey facility Thursday evening before a match against Indiana University at 7 p.m. Get there a little early so you can also watch warm ups.

Thanks to a gift from cosmetic surgery specialist Randy Waldman, construction will begin on the new Marshall Center, which include offices for the field hockey staff and new seating for 1,500 spectators. The entire expansion will encompass over 14,000 square feet.

What should happen as a result of a blown call by an official that resulted in a touchdown for UConn when a player made a fair catch signal but then ran for a touchdown?

The back judge Mark McAnaney said he had turned his head and didn’t see the player raise his arm. Standing within 15 feet of the player and didn’t see it? He couldn’t really expect us to believe that. The other officials were apparently looking away, too, because none of them had the courage to correct the error.

Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese admitted that the lack of a call was a mistake and has apologized to U of L. He said the “subject could be addressed after the season.”

U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich was reserved in his comments, “If we say anything it’s just sour grapes,” he said. “I think UConn has got to address it. I think the league has to address it … I just don’t think we benefit by saying anything.”

Schools should not be penalized for bad officiating. Apologies and admissions of guilt are meaningless. What should happen is that a bad call that results in points for one team or the other should be correctable. The call was, in fact, correctable via review but the officials didn’t know that.

The first thing that should happen is that the official, who wasn’t even watching the punt return, should be fired. The player who committed the nefarious play should be disciplined. Moreover, the seven points should be deducted.

No way. That final score will stand. There’s an unwritten rule that scores don’t change after time has elapsed. Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s reflects a major flaw in the system. Maybe it’s time to revisit the rulebook. Tranghese doesn’t have the power to do that but he certainly isn’t helping by waiting until after the season to address the matter.

What should happen as a result of a blown call by an official that resulted in a touchdown for UConn when a player made a fair catch signal but then ran for a touchdown?

The back judge Mark McAnaney said he had turned his head and didn’t see the player raise his arm. Standing within 15 feet of the player and didn’t see it? He couldn’t really expect us to believe that. The other officials were apparently looking away, too, because none of them had the courage to correct the error.

Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese admitted that the lack of a call was a mistake and has apologized to U of L. He said the “subject could be addressed after the season.”

U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich was reserved in his comments, “If we say anything it’s just sour grapes,” he said. “I think UConn has got to address it. I think the league has to address it … I just don’t think we benefit by saying anything.”

Schools should not be penalized for bad officiating. Apologies and admissions of guilt are meaningless. What should happen is that a bad call that results in points for one team or the other should be correctable. The call was, in fact, correctable via review but the officials didn’t know that.

The first thing that should happen is that the official, who wasn’t even watching the punt return, should be fired. The player who committed the nefarious play should be disciplined. Moreover, the seven points should be deducted.

No way. That final score will stand. There’s an unwritten rule that scores don’t change after time has elapsed. Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s reflects a major flaw in the system. Maybe it’s time to revisit the rulebook. Tranghese doesn’t have the power to do that but he certainly isn’t helping by waiting until after the season to address the matter.

Monday after a loss. Raining again. Temperatures dropping. Game film reveals much upon which to improve. Back to the practice field. Got to get better.

What’s left to look forward to after a game the Cards should have won but lost? Not pretending to know the answers. We know how tough football can be. But there are four games remaining, opportunities to prove something.

As coaches like to remind us, the game of football is much like life in general: you get knocked down, you get back up, learn from mistakes, work on weaknesses, and set new goals.

If there’s anything the last loss and this crazy season has taught us it is that anyone can beat anyone. Teams with chips on their shoulders are surprising overconfident foes with some regularity this year. No one is even surprised when it happens.

We just want it to happen for us.

Monday after a loss. Raining again. Temperatures dropping. Game film reveals much upon which to improve. Back to the practice field. Got to get better.

What’s left to look forward to after a game the Cards should have won but lost? Not pretending to know the answers. We know how tough football can be. But there are four games remaining, opportunities to prove something.

As coaches like to remind us, the game of football is much like life in general: you get knocked down, you get back up, learn from mistakes, work on weaknesses, and set new goals.

If there’s anything the last loss and this crazy season has taught us it is that anyone can beat anyone. Teams with chips on their shoulders are surprising overconfident foes with some regularity this year. No one is even surprised when it happens.

We just want it to happen for us.