There is a pulse. Faint at times.

Despite all the mistakes and penalties, the missed blocks and one badly blown tackle, the unpredictability of a young, jittery and wide-eyed group of youngsters, there is a beating heart.

One was expecting the worst from this University of Louisville football team, girding for humiliation, knowing a beat down is inevitable. But there is that 0-0 tie at the half. Anybody’s game.

A team seemingly moving the ball at will at times in the first half, only to stall twice in the red zone, only to suffer the humiliation of two missed field goal attempts from Chris Philpott from the 19- and 23-yard lines. A third drive stalling on fourth-and-one, on the 50 with Nate Nord waiting until the play has started to enter the lineup, another momentum-killing penalty.

North Carolina needing breaks and getting them in the second half, a blown interference call on a punt return, offside penalty inside the five yard line, two U of L defenders playing flag football with a receiver three yards from the goal line.

Were it not for the obvious weaknesses in the offensive line, one would be tempted to be optimistic about the remainder of the season. But the injured linemen they replaced aren’t coming back anytime soon and the fill-ins are getting beaten and beaten up.

So many mistakes, so many penalties, so few breaks. Yet still in the game.

Outlook slightly hopeful. The baby needs to learn to walk first.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

3 thoughts on “Louisville football in the waiting room”
  1. Good perspective,Charlie. Perspective is a thing some fans seem to be short on these days. I recall not so long ago,(’85-’90 or so) fans would see the potential in losses like today. I set my perspective back to that time period before the season, so color me excited. What more can you expect from a team so young? It just bothers me to no end to get on the message boards and see so much complaining. We do have to walk before we can run. Go Cards!

    1. Thanks, Robb. As much as we would like to speed up the improvement, there’s only so much a coach can do with so many inexperienced players. Makes what Charlie Strong accomplished last season more impressive.

  2. I like the way U of L plays when the situation gets desperate. Maybe there’s a lesson there for Shawn Watson.

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