Tennessee Tech may never be a great opponent but some encouraging things were happening today at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium:
Great crowd of 38,694 for the equivalent of a Division II opponent. Some old-timers, who keep expecting crowds to return to the pre-modern day level after a loss or two, don’t understand that University of Louisville football fanaticism has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Don’t have to always be a worldbeater, just put a UofL team on the field and fans will show up. Games in the Gator Bowl and Orange Bowl will do that for you.
Kickoff specialist Chris Philpott is getting his groove back. Tossing the bird to his hassling teammates after kicking his first kickoff into the end
zone in the second quarter. Freshman feeling his oats after four embarrassing kickoffs in his first four tries (including his only kickoff last Sunday). For the game, he averaged 61.7 yards on nine kickoffs. After missing his first extra point attempt, he was perfect on point-afters the rest of the way.
The UofL defense plays for keeps, maintaining intensity from the opening gun to the final play against a lesser opponent, not playing down to their level, knocking people around, sacrificing their bodies, initiating contact. Not one or two players, all of them making tackles. Last season, UofL had a only handful of dependable tacklers
Hunter Cantwell looking better at quarterback. Had to, it was Tennessee Tech. Getting some lift on the ball, finding second and third options, delivering balls that zing instead of sting, catchable stuff. Threading the needle on a 35-yarder to Troy Pascley’s for a touchdown. Making good on 15 of 23 pass attempts, and two touchdowns.
Trent Guy catching three passes, Josh Chichester three, Johnnie Burns two, Troy Pascley one, even Pete Nochta finally catching one in his stomach. You expect Doug Beaumont to do well and he did with five receptions. Yeah, it’s Tennessee Tech but these guys may be catching on. May get a receiving corps yet.
Victor Anderson showing speed and an ability to break tackles, getting his first touchdown and 114 yards with his 15 carries.
Yeah, it was Tennessee Tech but it gave numerous new starters something to build on.
Folks it was just great seeing the team play with focus. It seemed that last week they were almost trying to hard, if you know what I mean. They have to find their own identity and not try to be “Brohm: The Next Generation”. Sorry I sound so “fil-o-soff-ikal”, but sometimes Creampuffs are good for morale, they are like pre-season games. They let you fine tune things.
Now we get some more serious competition in K-State. Hopefully we will come out and play Cardinal football like we know and love (and just did).
Linda is referring Tom’s comments on playing cream puffs over on http://smokinfastball.com. And they do bring a smile.
Not just because I AM his better half (hehehe), I have to say objectively that his last couple of entries on Smokin Fastball are HI-larious. IF you have a sense of humor that is…..I think a little humor puts it all in perspective. Never forget though that he is blood U of L having attending that fine university but he also attended Ohio State – he KNOWS football. Ciao
Charlie,
I really like what you’re doing profiling the fans in pics!
BTW, KyLures took some more pics for us, and they turned out pretty cool. Come ck ’em out.
Frank
http://hellinthehall.wordpress.com/
Ooops it’s smokinfastball@blogspot.com
Such a lovely cupcake. Little squiggly line on top. Cream filled center. Thrilling.
My other comments on
smokinfastball@blogger.com