Strong wake up call for Louisville football players and fans

The expanded Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium provides an impressive backdrop for the opening of fall practice for the University of Louisville football team. The veterans were at it at 6 a.m. Freshmen and transfers will debut at 6 p.m.

Andrell Smith (14), a sophomore receiver from Miami, goes high to pull in a pass from quarterback Adam Froman despite a stiff challenge from Shernard Holton, a Bowling Green sophomore safety.

Yes, that is Johnny Patrick (19), live and in person, practicing with the University of Louisville football team, despite some off-the-field challenges and, yes, that is Josh Bellamy (1) pulling in another Adam Froman pass.

Not planning on getting up at 5 a.m. No way. No.

The body has other plans, however. the subconscious overruling the rational. Get your butt out to the opening session of fall practice. University of Louisville football era begins under Charlie Strong.

Hard to believe the Watterson Expressway is so busy at 5:30 a.m., resembling a road race with every other car jockeying for position. Why aren’t these people still in bed anyway? Five lanes now in each direction, the Watterson, but not that much easier to negotiate than with only two lanes.

Swinging down Floyd Street, one is awe struck by the finality of the Papa John’s expansion, all the lights on high beam in the darkness at 6:15 a.m. Cars are parked on Floyd Street, the parking lot by the practice field is all but full, but the observer finds a spot just a few feet away from a no parking sign.

The lights are on on the practice field. The sidelines are patrolled by dozens of other U of L fans, between 500 and 600 of them, who just can’t ignore the beginning of fall football practice. No video allowed of practice, so we turn the camera on the fans, the dedicated, the die hards. Hey, these guys get up at 5 a.m. to see their team, and don’t complain about the shaky camera. It’s early: